Technical Information Basorol types, TI/EVG 0117 us

November 2016
Performance Chemicals
Global Oilfield Solutions

Basorol® types
Demulsifier for crude oil

Chemical Nature
Basorol crude oil demulsifier includes products across several chemistry types and are
categorized into 5 main groups. This allows quick development of tailor-made products
based on customer specifications and performance requirements.

Group 1: Alkylphenol- EO/PO Resin

Group 2: EO/PO Block copolymer
Group 3: Tri-functional alkoxylate
Group 4: Tetra-functional alkoxylate
Group 5: Alkoxylated polyethyleneimine (PEI)

Application
Basorol series of demulsifiers are designed to give rapid separation of oil and water along with
sharp interface and good water quality. Basorol products are supplied as concentrated raw
materials, or intermediates which can be formulated into finished products for field applica-
tions. The products are usually diluted to 5 – 10 % in aromatic solvent (add isopropanol if
necessary to improve solubility) for bottle test. The typical dosage is 10 – 200 ppm. In more
challenging emulsions, higher dosage may be required.

The stability of an emulsion is unique to each reservoir, hence it is necessary to develop

demulsifier blends targeted at the fluids produced. It is recommended to test the demulsifiers
at field conditions and temperatures with fresh crude emulsions to look out for fast water
drop, low residual water content in oil, sludging, quality of interface, and quality of water.
Field demulsifiers are usually a complex blend of two or more intermediates selected on the
basis of their performance in bottle tests and centrifuge tests. The best performing candi-
dates should have the bottle tests repeated using different combinations and concentrations
until eventually the best performance blend is found.

Since Basorol crude oil demulsifier intermediates perform specific functions in these formula-
tions, we recommend the entire Basorol kit be used in formulation testing. As recommenda-
tion for initial bottle testing, screen Group 1 and Group 5 as single components. Select the
top 3 performing components and combine them in pairs (1 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 1 ratios) and in trios
(1 : 1 : 1, 2 : 1 : 1, 1 : 2 : 1, 1 : 1 : 2 ratios). To achieve the desired performance one should also
screen Group 2, 3, 4. In emulsions that contains solids, the use of DDBSA (dodecylbenzyl-
sulfonic acid) can improve formulation performance if added in small amounts (1 – 5 %).

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Solubility
The following table contain the most significant data on physical properties and solubility of the Basorol® products in different solvents.

Group 1: Alkylphenol- EO/PO Resin

Product Product form Active Viscosity 25 °C Density Flashpoint Solubility (10 % product)
name 23 °C content [cPs] 20 °C [°C] (+: soluble, –:insoluble, : dispersible)
Basorol [%] [g/cm3] IPA Water Kerosene Aromatic

P DB-9429 Viscous liquid 75 – 90 1,200 – 1,600 1.01 (55 °C) 74 + – – +

P DB-9934 Viscous liquid 75 – 90 8,000 – 12,000 1.05 (25 °C) > 65  – – 
P DB-9935 Viscous liquid 50 – 90 4,000 – 8,500 1.06 > 65 +  – +
P DB-9945 Viscous liquid 50 – 90 6,000 – 12,000 1.01 > 65 + – – +
P DB-9946 Viscous liquid 85 – 95 2,000 – 5,000 1.01 (25 °C) > 65  – – +
P DB-9947 Viscous liquid > 80 1,000 – 3,000 1.04 > 65   – +
P DB-9954 Viscous liquid 45 – 65 100 – 300 1.00 > 65 + – – +
P DB-9954A Viscous liquid 60 – 75 700 – 3,000 1.01 > 65 + – – +
P DB-9955 Viscous liquid 55 – 70 1,500 1.02 > 65 +  – +
P DB-9958 Viscous liquid 80 – 95 750 – 1,250 1.01 (25 °C) > 65 + – – +

Group 2: EO/PO Block copolymer

Product Product form Active Viscosity 25 °C Density Flashpoint Solubility (10 % product)
name 23 °C content [cPs] 20 °C [°C] (+: soluble, –:insoluble, : dispersible)
Basorol [%] [g/cm3] IPA Water Kerosene Aromatic

17R4 Liquid 100 600 – 700 1.05 > 227 + – – +

L81 Liquid 100 475 1.02 (25 °C) > 204 + – – +
L101 Liquid 100 800 1.02 (25 °C) > 204 + – – +
PE 9200 Liquid 100 900 (at 23 °C) 1.03 > 100 +  – +
PE 10100 Liquid 100 800 (23 °C) 1.02 (23 °C) > 100 +  – +

Group 3: Tri-functional alkoxylate

Product Product form Active Viscosity 25 °C Density Flashpoint Solubility (10 % product)
name 23 °C content [cPs] 20 °C [°C] (+: soluble, –:insoluble, : dispersible)
Basorol [%] [g/cm3] IPA Water Kerosene Aromatic

C 1000 Liquid 60 – 100 99.9 mm2/s (20 °C) 0.99 193 + – + +

G 3218 Liquid 100 800 (23 °C) 1.00 > 100 +  – +
K 1135I Liquid 100 420 1.00 230 + – – +
K 2090 Viscous liquid 100 1,125 1.02 (25 °C) > 160 + – – +
K3800 Viscous liquid 100 1,370 1.02 (25 °C) > 100 + – – +

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Group 4: Tetra-functional alkoxylate

Product Product form Active Viscosity 25 °C Density Flashpoint Solubility (10 % product)
name 23 °C content [cPs] 20 °C [°C] (+: soluble, –:insoluble, : dispersible)
Basorol [%] [g/cm3] IPA Water Kerosene Aromatic

904 Paste 100 320 (60 °C) 1.03 (60 °C) > 262  + – 
1301 Liquid 100 1,000 1.02 (25 °C) > 246   – 
P DB-5951 Liquid 100 1,100 – 1,300 1.02 (25 °C) > 100 + – – +
P DB-9904 Liquid 100 900 mm2/s 1.05 > 100 + – + +

Group 5: Alkoxylated polyethyleneimine (PEI)

Product Product form Active Viscosity 25 °C Density Flashpoint Solubility (10 % product)
name 23 °C content [cPs] 20 °C [°C] (+: soluble, –:insoluble, : dispersible)
Basorol [%] [g/cm3] IPA Water Kerosene Aromatic

P DB-9390 Liquid 75 – 90 2,050 (at 50 °C) 1.03 79  – – 

P DB-9392 Liquid 80 – 100 5729 1.01 81.5 + – – +
P DB-9360 Liquid 76 – 91 740 (at 50 °C) 1.03 92.5 + – – +
P DB-9393 Viscous liquid 80 – 100 500 – 2,000 0.99 95 + – – +
PDBD-1303 Viscous liquid 80 – 100 1500 0.99 > 63 + – – +

Advantages
Basorol portfolio is effective in resolving a broad spectrum of crude emulsions and have been successfully used in oilfields across
regions. Several important performance targets are achieved when Basorol intermediates are incorporated into a demulsifier package:

• Rapid water drop – Quickly reduce water content in oil to < 0.5 % to meet commercial and export crude oil specifications
• Clear oil/water interface – Provide sharper interface between the two phases for easier separation
• Salt content – Reduce salt content in oil to avoid risks of poisoning catalyst at refinery
• Cleaner produced water – Reduce oil-in-water levels for easier discharge or reinjection of water

Technical data
The relative solubility number (RSN) and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB, available only for EO/PO block copolymers) of Basorol
products is a useful guide in formulation as it helps to eliminate some of the trial and error involved in formulating demulsifier blends.
For crude oil emulsions, demulsifier formulation generally fall between the RSN values 8 – 15.

To dehydrate crude oil to a sufficient level to achieve export quality, a combination of water droppers and oil treaters needs to be used
in the final demulsifier blend. Desalting is another important demulsifier application to reduce the amount of dissolved salts so as to
prevent catalyst poisoning at the refining process. Typical characteristics of individual demulsifiers are given in the tables below.

Droppers: The function of these components is to help coalesce water droplets and release free water.
Treaters: The function of these components is to help flocculate sub-micron water particulates that are dispersed in the crude. They
are also referred to as drying agents.
Desalters: Emulsions in a desalter unit usually contain low amounts of water and are less stable due to the removal of emulsifying
agents in previous demulsification stages. In addition, a high potential electric field is applied to help coalesce the polar
salt water droplets. A desalter demulsifier base will exhibit rapid water separation and be able to handle crudes from various origins.

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Group 1: Alkylphenol- EO/PO Resin

These alkoxylated butyl, amyl and nonyl phenol resins have the broadest treating range in all gravity crudes. Normally they are the
predominant part of the formulation. The use of these resins allows lower treating temperatures.

Product name Basorol RSN Function

Water dropper Treater/ Dryer Desalter
P DB-9429 12  
P DB-9934 14 – 16  
P DB-9935 17 – 20  
P DB-9945 8 – 10  
P DB-9946 10 – 12  
P DB-9947 11 – 14  
P DB-9954 11 – 13  
P DB-9954 A 10 – 12  
P DB-9955 13.5 – 15.5  
P DB-9958 14 – 16  

Group 2: EO/PO Block copolymer

Are used to treat high gravity crudes, enhance interface, clean up and improve water clarity. High RSN value products wet solids and
iron sulfides. These block polymers are often blended with the Basorol group 1 to improve interface and/or water clarity

Product name Basorol RSN HLB Function

Water dropper Treater/ Dryer Desalter
17R4 16 – 20 7 – 12  
L81 23.4 1 – 7  
L101 9.6 1 – 7  
PE 9200 18.6 6  
PE 10100 9.7 1  

Group 3: Tri-functional alkoxylate

They can increase the speed of water drop similar to the amino polyols. The combination with phenolic resins is recommended to treat
low to medium gravity crudes

Product name Basorol RSN Function

Water dropper Treater/ Dryer Desalter
C 1000 14.5  
G 3218 13.9  
K 1135I 16.9  
K 2090 9.5  
K3800 9.4  

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Group 4: Tetra-functional alkoxylate

Are used to treat high gravity crudes, enhance interface, clean up and improve water clarity. High RSN value products wet solids and
iron sulfides. These block polymers are often blended with the Basorol group 1 to improve interface and/or water clarity

Product name Basorol RSN Function

Water dropper Treater/ Dryer Desalter
904 33.8 
1301 9.9 
P DB-5951 11 
P DB-9904 11.3 – 13.3 

Group 5: Alkoxylated polyethyleneimine (PEI)

These alkoxylated polyethyleneimines (PEI) are often used in combination with the Basorol Group 1, especially in low to medium gravity
crudes. They often lead to improved water clarity.

Product name Basorol RSN Function

Water dropper Treater/ Dryer Desalter
P DB-9390 13.4 
P DB-9392 8.3 
P DB-9360 7.0 
P DB-9393 5 – 7 
PDBD-1303 5 – 8 

Environmental Profile
Basorol PDBD-1303 is the naphtha depleted version of Basorol DB-9393 and is suitable for North Sea applications.

Significant accumulation in organisms is not to be expected in most Basorol® products. For more detailed information on environmen-
tal profile, please refer to the relevant safety data sheet (SDS).

Storage & Shelf Life

If stored properly in its original sealed packaging at temperatures below 35 °C the shelf life is at least 24 months, except for the
following products Basorol K2090, Basorol K3800, shelf life is 12 months.

The Basorol PE types can become cloudy liquids at low temperatures and/or after long periods in storage, this can cause them to form
a sediment. This cloudiness is reversible at 50 – 70 °C. Reconstitution has no effect on their practical performance.

The Basorol K2090 may become hazy or solidify when stored at low temperatures for a longer period of time. This usually does not
affect its performance. If warmed to 25 to 30 °C, the product becomes a clear liquid again.

Health & Safety

Detailed information on handling and any precautions to be observed in the use of the product(s) described in this leaflet can be found
in the relevant safety data sheet (SDS).

Labeling
Please refer to the latest safety data sheet (SDS) for more detailed information on product safety.

Technical Service
Advice and assistance in the performance of laboratory testing is given by representatives of BASF who are experienced in oilfield
applications.

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Note
 he data contained in this publication are based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect
T
processing and application of our product, these data do not relieve processors from carrying out their own investigations and tests;
neither do these data imply any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the product for a specific purpose. Any descriptions,
drawings, photographs, data, proportions, weights etc. given herein may change without prior information and do not constitute the
agreed contractual quality of the product. It is the responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and
existing laws and legislation are observed.

November 2016

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