Patent ID: 6096196
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A process for extracting organic acids from a starting crude oil comprising the steps of:(a) treating the starting crude oil containing naphthenic acids with an amount of an alkoxylated amine and water under conditions and for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a water-in-oil emulsion of amine salt wherein the amount of water is about 5 to 10 wt % based upon the amount of starting crude, and wherein said alkoxylated amine is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated amines having the following formulae A and B: ##STR5## where m+n=5 to 50 and R=linear or branched alkyl group of C.sub.8 to C.sub.20.(B) H-(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.y -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.p -{NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH}.sub.x -(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.z -(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.q -Hwhere x=1 to 3 and y+z=2 to 6, and wherein p+q=0 to 15, mixtures of formula (A) and mixtures of formula (B); and(b) separating said emulsion of step (a) into a plurality of layers or phases, wherein one of such layers or phases contains a treated crude oil having decreased amounts of organic acids;(c) recovering said layer of step (b) containing said treated crude oil having a decreased amount of organic acid and layers containing water and alkoxylated amine salt.