SURFACTANT, PROCESS FOR ITS PRODUCTION AND USE

摘要

A new class of surfactants exhibits properties, which make the surfactants suitable for use in surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery. The surfactants have the formula (I): XArORSO3<-> M<+>, where R is a hydrocarbon or hydroxyl-substituted hydrocarbon group with 2-6 carbon atoms; A is an oxyalkylene group having 2-4 carbon atoms; r is a number from 0-10, preferably 0-5 and most preferably 1-4; X is a hydroxyl group or hydroxyl and ether group containing hydrophobic group, which comprises 2-6, preferably 2-4 end groups containing 3-22 carbon atoms; and M is a cation, preferably a monovalent cation; or a C1-4-alkyl ether thereof. A method for the manufacture of the surfactants is also enclosed.