Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
  • C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
  • C11D1/14—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
  • C11D1/143—Sulfonic acid esters
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/02—Well-drilling compositions
  • C09K8/38—Gaseous or foamed well-drilling compositions
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
  • C09K8/584—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific surfactants
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
  • C09K8/592—Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
  • C09K8/594—Compositions used in combination with injected gas, e.g. CO2 orcarbonated gas
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/60—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
  • C09K8/62—Compositions for forming crevices or fractures
  • C09K8/70—Compositions for forming crevices or fractures characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams
  • C09K8/703—Foams
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
  • C09K8/60—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
  • C09K8/92—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material
  • C09K8/94—Foams
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/40—Specific cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/42—Application of foam or a temporary coating on the surface to be cleaned

Definitions

• compositions comprising alkylalkoxysulfonates for the production of high temperature stable foams
• the present invention is directed to the use of alkylalkoxysulfonates for the production of foams, which are stable at high temperatures, e.g. up to about 250°C. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing of high temperature stable foams by using a foamable aqueous composition comprising at least one linear alkylalkoxysul- fonate.
• Surfactants are commonly used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and detergents, wherein the application temperature normally is below 100°C.
• Known surfactants for washing, cleaning and foaming applications at temperatures from about 10° to 100°C usually have at least one C 8 -16 alkyl chain as hydrophobic part. Surfactants with longer alkyl chains are under these conditions often less useful and less interfacial active for such purposes.
• Some surfactants for application temperatures above 100°C have at least one alkyl chain of at least Ci 8 , in order to increase the residence time at the interface.
• Typical applications for high temperature stable surfactants, which are in particular stable at temperatures from 150 to 250°C, are high temperature emulsification of e.g. polymer melts, hot water washing, oil recovery applications and drilling additives.
• foaming agent also referred to as foaming surfactant
• foaming surfactant may facilitate the formation of a foam.
• a foam is a composition comprising a gas and a liquid, that is formed by trapping gas bubbles in a liquid (e.g. water), wherein the gas bubbles are separated by connected liquid films, the so called lamella.
• Lamellae of foam comprising a liquid, e.g. water are normally stabilized by at least one surfactant, which shows film-forming properties.
• the foam can be referred to as a colloidal suspension of a gas in a liquid.
• foaming agents or foaming surfactants facilitate the formation of foam, when dissolved, particularly in small amounts, in the liquid phase and may enhance the colloidal stability of the foam by inhibition of the coalescences of bubbles. It can be assumed that the foaming surfactant adsorbs in a monolayer at the interface and aggregates into stable foam lamellae. Increased interfacial viscosity provides a mechanical resistance to film thinning and rupturing.
• foaming surfactants for temperatures below 100 °C are for example sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and betaines.
• Foaming agents and in particular foaming agents which are able to stabilise foams at high temperature and high pressure, can be used in a variety of applications.
• Important application sectors for high temperature stable foams are oilfield applications, such as acid stimulation, drilling of subterranean geothermal reservoirs and particularly tertiary oil recovery technologies, such as thermally based oil recovery techniques (e.g. SAGD, "steam assisted gravity drainage”; CSS, “cyclic steam stimulation”), which require performance increase at high temperature conditions.
• Foam compositions which exhibit a high stability at elevated temperatures, such as above 150°C, are also used in specific applications, such as metal working (e.g.
• stamping drawing, forming, bending, rolling, cutting, grinding, punching, sawing, hobbing, reaming, spinning, extruding trepanning, coining, swaging), drilling of subterranean geothermal reservoirs, specific cleaning applications, and fire retardant foams.
• US 4,201 ,678 describes a mixture of an amphoteric betaine, a salt of a linear aliphatic or alkyl aryl hydrocarbon sulfonate and, optionally, non-neutralized ammonia.
• the mixture can be used as foaming agent in foam drilling and work over in high temperature wells with temperatures above 200°C.
• WO 94/18431 is directed to foaming compositions comprising a Ci 0- i 6-olefin sulfonate surfactant and a solubilising compound to improve brine tolerance for use in enhanced oil recovery at temperatures from 38°C to 120°C.
• CN-A 1 927 993 describes high-temperature stratum self-foaming compositions and their application in viscous oil exploitation.
• the compositions comprise alpha-olefin sulfonates or di-alkyl di-phenylether-di-sulfonates as foaming agent.
• the document US 5, 193,618 discloses a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir using a steam assisted enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique, wherein a composition comprises a foam diversion surfactant, in particular an alkyl aromatic sulfonate, and a precipitation-control additive comprising an ⁇ -olefin sulfonate dimer.
• EOR steam assisted enhanced oil recovery
• US 2005/01371 14 describes a foam composition in a temperature range of about 80 to 160 F (27°C to 70°C) comprising at least one anionic surfactant, at least one cationic surfactant, and one or more zwitterionic compounds, wherein the anionic surfactants were selected from sodium or ammonium alcohol ether sulfates, alkylether sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.
• Alkylalkoxysulfonates and methods of their production are known in the prior art.
• the document DE-A 36 22 439 describes the use of C 8 -i8-alkylether sulfonates for cosmetic applications.
• Document US 4,088,189 describes alkylpolyalkoxyalkyl sulfonates and alkylarylpolyalkoxyalkyl sulfonates for use in a surfactant assisted oil recovery process.
• foam compositions in particular aqueous based foams, which are stable at high temperature (e.g. 150 to 250°C).
• foam compositions should exhibit a high temperature stability (e.g. for up to 100°C) for a long period of time, particularly up to 1 day, preferably up to 10 days, often up to 60 days, and a high stability also in contact with an hydrocarbon phase.
• requirements for the surfactants are chemical stability up to a temperature of 250°C and a good water-solubility at room temperature, which is a precondition for several applications, e.g. pumping the solution in a well bore.
• the foaming agent should not harm the environment, should produce no residue and be easily available at low cost.
• the present invention is directed to the use of at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) wherein:
• R 1 is a linear alkyl chain having from 14 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 20 to 30, preferably from 22 to 30, preferably from 22 to 28, more preferably from 24 to 28;
• R a is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• R b is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl; with the provision that for each of the n alkoxy units at least one of R a or R b is not hydrogen;
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8;
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8;
• p is a number from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 8;
• X is selected from Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and NH 4 + ,
• y is an integer 1 or 2; for the production of a foam at a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, often also in the range of 180° to 250°C, preferably in the range of 200°C to 250°C.
• a “foam” or “foam composition” according to the present invention is a composition comprising a gas, a liquid and a surfactant as lamella stabilizing agent, that is formed by trapping gas bubbles in a liquid (e.g. water), wherein the gas bubbles are separated by connected liquid films, the so called lamella.
• Lamellae of foam comprising a liquid, e.g. water are normally stabilized by at least one surfactant, which shows film-forming properties.
• the foam can be referred to as a colloidal suspension of a gas in a liquid.
• the lamellae are connected via intersections and form an intercon- nected network.
• the gas bubbles may be spherical and have weak mutual interactions - in particular in cases wherein the volume fraction of gas is less than about 74 %.
• gas bubbles may be polyhedral deformed.
• the gas bubbles are typically disordered and have a variety of bubble sizes (poly-disperse foam).
• the surfactant in terms of the present invention is a surfactant which facilitates the formation of foam, when it is dissolved, particularly in small amounts, in the liquid phase.
• a foaming agent or a foaming surfactant may enhance the colloidal stability of the foam by inhibition of the coalescences of bubbles.
• a "high-temperature stable foam” means, that the foam volume is reduced by less than 10 % (preferably by less than 5 %, more prefera- bly by less than 2 %) after a period of 100 sec or more (preferably after a period of more than 200 sec, preferably after a period of more than 300 sec) at temperatures up to 100 °C (in particular at temperatures up to 150 °C often in the range of 150 to 250 °C).
• the foam stability can be described by the time before the onset of foam collapse (breaking of foam lamellae) can be observed.
• the radical R 1 in formula (I) is a linear alkyl chain having from 14 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 20 to 30, also preferably from 22 to 30, preferably from 22 to 28, more preferably from 24 to 28.
• the linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to the invention preferably can be prepared in a manner known in principle, by alkoxylation of commercial available alcohols (e.g. fatty alcohols) or mixtures of alcohols.
• the number of carbon atoms of radical R 1 may refer here, in a known manner, to the average number of carbon atoms present in the alkylalkoxysulfonate, respectively refer to the maximum of distribution of the carbon atoms number in alkyl chain.
• linear alkylalkoxysulfonates used according to the present invention normally exhibit a block structure with the general structure given in formula (I).
• the linear alkylalkoxysulfonates used according to the present invention comprise m butoxy groups of the general formula -0-(C 4 H 8 ); n propoxy groups of the general formula -O- CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )-; and p ethoxy groups of the general formula -0-CH 2 CH 2 -.
• the formula of the propoxy group -0-CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )- here is expressly intended to include units also of the formula -0-CH(CH 3 )-CH 2 )-, thus the inverse orientation of the alkoxy group in the linear alkylalkoxysulfonates is included.
• both orientations may be represented in a surfactant molecule.
• the alkoxy units e.g. propoxy units
• the butoxy group can be linear or branched after the polymerisation of e.g. butylenoxid.
• the butoxy group is branched.
• Linear alkylalkoxysulfonates used according to the present invention can be prepared in a manner in principle known by a skilled person. Normally the alcohol R OH is reacted with alkylene oxide (e.g. ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide) using an alkoxylation catalyst. The synthesis can also be started from a mixture of alkyl al- cohols with a distribution of alkyl chain length, wherein normally the chain length of the maximum of distribution is mentioned (e.g. C 24 /26 alkyl alcohol or Ci 6 is alkyl alcohol). The way by which alkoxylation reactions are carried out is known to the skilled person.
• alkylene oxide e.g. ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide
• alkoxylation catalyst e.g. ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide
• the synthesis can also be started from a mixture of alkyl al- cohols with a distribution of alkyl chain length, wherein normally the chain length of the
• the molecular weight distribution of the alkoxylates can be influenced by the reaction conditions, in particular the choice of catalyst. Afterwards the alkoxylated alcohol can e.g. be reacted with thionylchloride (e.g. in chlorobenzene) giving the chloride product. After that a reaction with e.g. sodium sulfite can follow, which gives the desired sulfonate.
• thionylchloride e.g. in chlorobenzene
• the numbers m, n, p refer to the average value of the alkoxy (e.g. butoxy, propoxy, ethoxy groups) present in the alkylalkoxysulfonate, where the average value does not have to be a natural number, but may also be any desired rational number.
• the total number of alkoxy units (m+n+p) is a number in the range of 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10.
• m 0, n is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8, and p is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8.
• m is a number von 1 to 8
• n is a number from 1 to 8
• n is a number from 1 to 8.
• a linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) comprising more ethoxy units than propoxy units, wherein in particular the ratio of propoxy units and ethoxy units (n/p) is in the range of 0 to 1.
• At least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) is used, wherein R 1 is a linear alkyl having from 20 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 22 to 28, and wherein m+n+p is a number in the range of 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10.
• the present invention is directed to the use of an aqueous composition comprising at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) as described above for the production of foams as described above.
• the invention is directed to the use of an aqueous composition com- prising at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) for production of foam at a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, preferably in the range of 180°C to 250°C, more preferably in the range of 200°C to 250°C and a pressure in the range of 1 to 100 bar.
• the aqueous composition used according to the present invention may comprise (or consist of):
• the composition often consists of 90 to 99% (w/w) of water, 0.01 to 10 % (w/w) of at least one alkylalkoxysulfonate. To this composition further additives (up to 25 % ) can be added.
• the aqueous composition described above comprises 0.01-10 % (w/w), preferably 0.01 to 5 % (w/w), more preferably 0.01 to 1 % (w/w), more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 % (w/w) of at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) as described above.
• the aqueous composition described above may comprise a mixture of at least two linear alkylalkoxysulfonates according to formula (I) as described above.
• the further additives of aqueous composition used according to the present invention may be for example selected from: i) water-soluble inorganic salts (for example sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride); ii) co-solvents selected from alcohols, ethoxylated alcohols, e.g. butyl diglycol, ethers and esters; iii) additional surfactants (co-surfactants); iv) thickeners, e.g. layered silica.
• the amount of further additives is in the range of 0.01 to 25 % (w/w), preferably of 0.01 to 10 % (w/w), preferably of 0.1 to 5 % (w/w).
• the aqueous composition described above comprises as further additive at least one water-soluble inorganic salt in an amount of 0.01 to 25 % (w/w), preferably 0.01 to 10 % (w/w).
• the water-soluble inorganic salt is selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride.
• a "water-soluble compound" in terms of the present invention means a compound, which exhibits solubility in water at normal temperature (e.g. 25°C) of more than 10 g/l.
• the aqueous composition described above can further comprise a co- solvent, which may be selected from a polar water-miscible solvent.
• the cosolvent may be selected from alcohols, preferably methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, butyl monoglycol, butyl diglycol, butyl triglycol, ethers, preferably dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, methylethyl ether, methylpropyl ether, ethylpropyl ether, glycol ethers and esters, preferably ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, propylene based glycol esters.
• Suitable cosolvents may also be mixtures or combinations of the solvents mentioned above.
• the aqueous composition described above comprises as further additive 0.01 to 25 % (w/w), preferably 0.01 to 10 % (w/w), preferably from 0.1 to 5 % (w/w) of at least one co-solvent selected from alcohol, ether and ester.
• the aqueous composition described above can further comprise as further additive a surfactant (co-surfactant) additional to the linear alky alkoxy sulfonate described in formula (I), in particular this co-surfactant exhibits more hydrophilic properties in comparison to the linear alkylalkoxysulfonate described in formula (I).
• co- surfactant may be at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfonates (e.g. cumolsulfonate, dodecylsulfonate), alkyl sulfates (e.g.
• hydrophilic co-surfactants in com- parison to the linear alkylalkoxysulfonates can be part of the aqueous composition like saturated or unsaturated C 5 . 2 o-alcohols (e.g. pentanol, hexa- nol, decanol, dodecanol, oleylalcohol, Ci6/i 8-alcohol), alkylamines with alkyl chain lengths from C 8 to Ci 8 , fatty acids (e.g. oleic acid and stearic acid), and salts of fatty acids (e.g. sodium salt of stearic acid).
• the co-surfactants mentioned above include a C 8 -2o-alkyl chain.
• the above mentioned surfactants can preferably be added in form of their salts, e.g. their alkali metal or earth alkali metal salts.
• the aqueous composition used according to the present invention comprise as further additive a least one co-surfactant selected from the group C 8 -2o-alkyl sulfonates, C 8 . 2 o-alkyl sulfates, C 8 . 2 o-alkylaryl sulfonates, C 8 . 2 o-alkylaryl sulfates, C 8 .2o-alkylalkoxy sulfonates, C 8 -2o-alkylalkoxy sulfates, C 8 .
• a co-surfactant selected from the group C 8 -2o-alkyl sulfonates, C 8 . 2 o-alkyl sulfates, C 8 . 2 o-alkylaryl sulfonates, C 8 . 2 o-alkylaryl sulfates, C 8 .
• the aqueous composition used according to the present invention comprises at least one co-surfactant in an amount of 0.01 to 10 % (w/w), preferably 0.01 to 1 % (w/w), preferably from 0.1 to 0.9 % (w/w).
• the aqueous composition comprises said alkylalkoxy- sulfonate(s) according to formula (I) as sole surfactant.
• the invention is directed to the use as described above, wherein the foam is used for washing and cleaning, formation of micro-emulsions, metal production or oil recovery applications. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method of producing a foam, in particular a high-temperature stable foam, comprising the following steps
• R 1 is a linear alkyl chain having from 14 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 20 to 30, preferably from 22 to 30, preferably from 22 to 28, more preferably from 24 to 28;
• R a is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• R b is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 0 to 8, preferably from 1 to 8;
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8;
• p is a number from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 8;
• X is selected from Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and NH 4 + ,
• y is an integer 1 or 2; b) Optionally addition of at least one further additive to the aqueous composition; c) Contacting the aqueous composition (obtained in step a or if applicable in step b) with a gas; wherein the method is carried out at a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150°C to 250°C, often in the range of 180°C to 250°C, more preferred in the range of 200°C to 250°C.
• step c of the method described above is carried out at a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, often in the range of 180°C to 250°C, more preferred in the range of 200°C to 250°C.
• step c) can be carried out at a temperature in the range of 15°C to 30°C and afterwards the aqueous composition (respectively the foam) is brought to a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, often in the range of 180°C to 250°C, more preferred in the range of 200°C to 250°C.
• step c) contacting the aqueous composition (obtained in step a) or if applicable in step b)) with a gas (step c) is carried out by injection of a gas into the aqueous composition.
• step c can in particular be carried out at a pressure in the range of 1 to 100 bar.
• the method of producing foams is carried out at a temperature in the range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, often in the range of 180°C to 250°C. More preferably contacting the aqueous composition with a gas (step c) is carried out at a temperature in range of 100°C to 250°C, preferably in the range of 150° to 250°C, often in the range of 180°C to 250°C, more preferably in the range of 200°C to 250°C
• the further additive may be selected from water-soluble inorganic salts and co- solvents, co-surfactants, and thickener.
• the preferred embodiments mentioned before in connection with the use of linear alkyalkoxysulfonates for the production of foam can also be applied.
• the gas used in step c is preferably selected from nitrogen, carbon dioxide, steam, water vapour, natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, fuel gas, air and mixtures thereof, preferably selected from air, steam, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and mixtures thereof. More preferably the gas is selected from air, steam, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and mixtures thereof.
• At least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) as described above in connection with the use for production of foam can be preferably used in the inventive method of producing foams.
• aqueous composition described above in view of use of linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I) for production of foam can be used in the inventive method of producing foams.
• the present invention is directed to a method of producing a foam as described above, wherein 0.01 to 10 % (w/w) of at least one co-surfactant is added as further additive to the aqueous composition. Suitable co-surfactants are described above.
• R 1 is a linear alkyl chain having from 20 to 30, preferably from 22 to 30, preferably from 22 to 28, more preferably from 24 to 28;
• R a is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• R b is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 0 to 8, preferably from 1 to 8;
• n is a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8;
• p is a number from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 8;
• X is selected from Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and NH 4 + ,
• y is an integer 1 or 2;
• the present invention is directed to a foamable, aqueous composi- tion comprising
• R 1 is a linear alkyl chain having from 20 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 22 to 30, preferably from 24 to 30, preferably from 25 to 30, preferably from 25 to 28;
• R a is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• R b is, independently for each of n alkoxy units, hydrogen or methyl
• m is a number from 0 to 10; preferably from 0 to 8, preferably from 1 to 8;
• n is a number from 0 to 10; preferably from 1 to 8;
• p is a number from 0 to 20; preferably from 1 to 8;
• X is selected from Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and NH 4 + ,
• y is an integer 1 or 2;
• the composition often consists of 90 to 99 % (w/w) of water, 0.01 to 10 % (w/w) of at least one alkylalkoxysulfonate. To this composition further additives (up to 25 %) can be added.
• the foamable aqueous composition described above comprises 0.01 to 10 % (w/w), preferably 0.01 to 5 % (w/w), more preferably 0.01 to 1 % (w/w), more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 % (w/w) of at least one linear alkylalkoxysulfonate according to formula (I).
• Example 1 Foam formation up to 200°C
• An autoclave with windows on the front and on the backside was used to observe foam-ability, foam structure and foam stability as function of temperature and time by a video camera. The temperature was adjusted by electrical heating units. Pictures and short videos were taken for documentation. Nitrogen was used to apply a maximum pressure of 80 bar for keeping the solution liquid. Foam was created by nitrogen injection into the aqueous surfactant solution (50 ml), which was stirred mechanically (1300 rpm). The concentration of the surfactant was 1 g/l. A frit with 2 ⁇ pore size was placed at the end of the injection tube to create small air bubbles. After nitrogen injection stirring was stopped and foam stability was detected.
• Figure 1 shows the time t in sec, when the first foam collapse was visible (y-axis), at temperature T in °C from 120 to 200°C (x-axis), wherein: the open squares ( ⁇ ) indicate the C16/C18-6PO-2EO-S0 3 Na,
• the close lozenges ( ⁇ ) indicate the iC17-6PO-2EO-S0 3 Na surfactant.
• EO ethoxy unit(s)
• PO propoxy unit(s)
• BO butoxy unit(s).
• C with number describes the alkyl chain of surfactant, e.g. C16 means alkyl chain with 16 carbon atoms, iC17 means iso-alkyl chain with 17 carbon atoms.
• the foam stability depends on the number of ethoxy units (EO number).
• the addition of salt may shield the charge of the anionic sulfonate groups which results in a tighter packing at the air/water interface. It can be predicted that foam stability increases in presence of salt.
• the foam stability of C22-2EO-S0 3 Na surfactant in combination with layered silica clay mineral and salt was determined at temperatures in the range of 200 to 250 °C as described in Example 2, wherein the concentration of the surfactant was 1 g/l.
• Laponite RD was used as layered silica
• potassium chloride (KCI) was used as salt.
• the clay mineral can thicken the water phase between the foam lamella in order to reduce water drainage and to enhance foam stability.
• Clay mineral (Laponite RD) exhibits a foam stabilizing effect.

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• Emulsifying, Dispersing, Foam-Producing Or Wetting Agents (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
• Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)

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• 2012
  • 2012-02-23 EP EP12704847.8A patent/EP2678414A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-02-23 CN CN201280009626.8A patent/CN103380208B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-02-23 EA EA201391214A patent/EA201391214A1/ru unknown
  • 2012-02-23 MX MX2013009598A patent/MX2013009598A/es unknown
  • 2012-02-23 WO PCT/EP2012/053063 patent/WO2012113861A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-02-23 CA CA2827323A patent/CA2827323A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2012-02-23 AU AU2012219554A patent/AU2012219554A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2012-02-23 BR BR112013021063A patent/BR112013021063A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation

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