Method for the separation of gas from oil

摘要

Water-insoluble polyoxyalkylene graft copolymers are effective anti-foam agents for reducing foaming in crude oil/gas separators. The copolymers are of formula: <IMAGE> wherein R is an ethylene, propylene or butene group or a mixture thereof; R' is a hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; R'' is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group or an alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; (a) is a number in the range 100 to 250; (b) is a number in the range 1 to 6; (c) is a number in the range 1 to 10; and (d) is a number in the range 10 to 100. They are particularly useful in breaking microgas dispersions and foams resulting from crude oils with a high gas to oil ratio.