Oilfield Production &

Refinery Demulsifiers

At the core of your innovation

www.croda.com/oilfield
Production and refinery demulsifiers
Emulsion breaking is one of the most complex and
situational aspects of oilfield chemistry. Stable emulsions
encountered in oil production are normally composed of
varying levels of water or brine dispersed in a continuous oil
phase. These emulsions are stabilised by other compounds
occurring naturally in the crude. Certain types of operations
in refinery practice can also produce stable emulsions.
To facilitate the economical removal of water from crude,
Croda offers a range of Kemelix™ and Synperonic™
demulsifiers that are drawn from a wide range of chemistries,
including polyols, resins, epoxides, polyimines and proprietary
molecules. When formulated, these products are capable
of treating a wide range of emulsions under the most
demanding field conditions; short residence times, high
turbulence, high solids loading and high water content.
Treatment programmes featuring Croda oilfield demulsifiers
offer drier oil, cleaner water and a sharper interface. This
results in reduced overall treating costs and smoother surface
operations. Specific strengths of Croda demulsifiers include
outstanding performance in heavy oil and low temperature
applications. Several of our demulsifiers also have an
excellent environmental profile and are suitable for use in the
North Sea without the need for special permissions. Careful
selection and blending of the optimal grade is essential to
the success and cost effectiveness of the emulsion breaking
operation. It is recommended to complete on-site testing
with fresh crude oil emulsion to achieve this.
Treatment programmes featuring Croda’s demulsifiers
offer the following benefits:
n Outstanding performance in heavy oil applications
n Reduced treating costs & smoother operation
Droppers
The primary function of these compounds is to coalesce
water droplets and release free water. This class of
demulsifiers also show excellent desalting properties.
Croda’s range of Kemelix™ and Synperonic droppers
are specifically designed to treat heavy crude oil with
great efficiency and are selected based on experience
and performance for those crude types that are typically
challenging to treat.
Interfacial film
thinning
Close approach
of droplets
Interfacial
film rupture
Coalescence
Figure 2: Process of coalescence
Treaters
The primary function of these compounds is to flocculate
the large number of sub-micron water droplets dispersed
in the crude oil. Water droplets are concentrated at the
base of the oil column prior to coalescence and the crude
oil is dehydrated above the settling level of the flocculated
water droplets. This is noticeable by a brightening of the
top oil. Kemelix™ and Synperonic treaters are typically
based on high molecular weight polymeric molecules with
hydrophilic ‘tips’ which solvate into the water droplets and
facilitate ‘gathering’.

n Excellent low temperature performance

n Improved downstream operations

Water Functional
n Drier oil, cleaner water and sharper interface
droplet endgroup
n A superior environmental profile

Function guide
The components of a demulsifier formulation can be
characterised according to their primary function; droppers Sidearm
or treaters. In addition, some components may also Backbone
function effectively in other aspects of the performance
requirements and certain compounds can provide a
multi-purpose hybrid function in a particular crude oil. Figure 3: Structure of a Kemelix™ flocculator

Dropping

Coalescence

Treating

Flocculation
Figure 1: Demulsifier mechanisms
Refinery desalters
Crude oil desalting is one of the most critical steps in the
refining process. Typically, emulsions to be desalted have
low amounts of water and are less stable due to some
of the naturally occurring emulsion stabilisers having
been removed at the original demulsification stage.
Croda’s unique range of Kemelix™ desalters have proven
through experience to achieve rapid water separation at
low addition rates and have the versatility to cope with
frequent changes of crude of different origin.
Hybrids
These compounds incorporate a balance of molecular
design features such that both dropper and treater
characteristics are exhibited. For certain applications,
hybrids may prove more cost effective than blends of
dropper and treater.
Relative Solubility Number (RSN)
The RSN test method determines the hydrophile - lipophile
balance of the product under test by means of a water
titration. The RSN is the volume of water (in millilitres)
necessary to produce a persistent turbidity in a given
solvent system. All values quoted are determined with
solvent stripped demulsifier. In general, products with an
RSN <13 are insoluble in water, products with an RSN 13
to 17 are water dispersible and products with an RSN >17
are soluble in water.
Increasing time
Blank
With
Kemelix™ 3627X
Figure 4: Crude oil with and without Kemelix™ 3627X demulsifier
Croda’s demulsifier test-kits
To assist the formulator with product selection, Croda
has created three test kits; a standard kit containing our
original range of products, a green kit containing products
with an environmental profile making them suitable for
use in the North Sea and a kit containing products with
proven performance in heavy oil demulsification. These
kits can be used in field conditions to determine the right
product for your production and refinery application.
Please contact your local Croda sales office to discuss the
details of your requirements.
Technical expertise
Croda’s technical team has many years of experience in
emulsification and demulsification chemistries. We are
able to work with the customer to help find a solution
to your demulsification challenges. The capacity for
innovation in Croda is further increased through the
combined support of other Croda business units which deal
in surfactant chemistry.
Quality
Croda’s Oilfield business is committed to providing the
highest quality products and services to its customers.
Many of the products in this guide are produced at
Chocques, France, where the site adheres to ISO 9001, ISO
14001, and OHSAS 18001 standards.
Demulsifier function guide

Cloud Point (°C)

Density at 25°C
Flash Point (°C)
Primary Function Registrations Demulsifier Test Kit

1% Sample in

pH at 1% in
Activity (%)

85/15 w/w
IPA/Water

Heavy Oil
Solubility

Standard
DI Water

Desalter
Dropper
(g/cm3)

Canada
Treater

Hybrid
PMCC

Green
USA
RSN

EU
Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance
Kemelix™ 3747X Resin propoxylate Yellow / amber liquid 75 6 Insoluble Insoluble 8.5 63 0.92 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3749X Resin propoxylate Yellow liquid 80 8 Insoluble 79 8.5 63 0.93 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3501X Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 16 Dispersible 49 7.5 63 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3535X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown liquid 75 19 Soluble 50 9 63 1.03 3 3 3 Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3575X Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 19 Soluble 64 9 63 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3627X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 80 11 Insoluble 54 10 63 1.00 3 3 Pending Pending 3 3
Kemelix™ 3678X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown liquid 86 21 Soluble 74 7.5 63 1.05 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3741X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / red liquid 80 19 Soluble 79 8 63 0.98 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3746X Resin alkoxylate Yellow / amber liquid 85 17 Soluble 54 8 63 1.01 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3750X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 100 23 Soluble 69.5 12 63 1.01 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ D302 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 20 Soluble 72 8.5 63 1.03 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ D304 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 21 Soluble 60 8.5 63 1.03 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D308 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 17 Soluble 50 8.5 63 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D309 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 21 Soluble 64 7.5 63 1.03 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D310 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 88 16 Dispersible 53 7 63 1.03 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D311 Resin alkoxylate Yellow liquid 80 17 Soluble 58 6.5 63 1.00 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D322 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 80 15 Dispersible 68 8.5 63 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3702X Polysorbate polyester Amber liquid 100 17 Soluble 60 7 > 100 1.09 3 3 Pending Pending 3 3
Kemelix™ 3504X Polyol alkoxylate ester Pale yellow liquid 80 14 Dispersible 47 3.5 63 1.01 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3735X Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 8 Insoluble 31 7 > 100 1.00 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3754X Polyol alkoxylate Brown / amber liquid 100 11 Dispersible 69 4.5 > 100 1.05 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ D501 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 20 Soluble 67 9.5 >100 0.99 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D503 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 20 Soluble 29 9.5 >100 1.03 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D511 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 17 Soluble 87 10 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/25R2 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 13 Dispersible 10 6.5 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L101 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 12 Insoluble 12 7.5 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L121 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 10 Insoluble 10 8.5 >100 1.00 3 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L64 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 21 Soluble 59 7.5 >100 1.04 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ T/1301 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 14 Dispersible 13 8.5 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3
Synperonic™ T/701 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 100 15 Dispersible 17 8.5 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3755X Polymerised fatty acid ester Brown / amber liquid 100 21 Soluble 95 7.5 > 100 1.03 3 3 3 Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3216X Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 88 9 Insoluble 9 8 >100 1.02 3 3 3 Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3418X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 100 16 Dispersible 64 7.5 >100 1.03 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3422X Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 100 7 Insoluble 13 8 >100 1.01 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3515X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 100 10 Insoluble 50 8 >100 1.01 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3551X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 100 10 Insoluble 50 8 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3756X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 100 18 Soluble 66 4 > 100 1.02 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ D510 Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 100 11 Insoluble 50 7.5 >100 1.02 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D513 Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 100 6 Insoluble 34 7.5 >100 0.99 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3736X PEG sorbitol ester Pale yellow liquid 100 7 Insoluble 48 7 > 62 1.01 3 3 3 3 3 3
Hypermer™ B246 Nonionic block copolymer Brown waxy solid 97 7 Insoluble Insoluble 5 65 0.94 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D317 Modified polyol Yellow liquid 80 10 Insoluble 33 8.5 63 1.00 3 3 3 Pending 3
Kemelix™ D400 Modified polyol Yellow liquid 80 6 Insoluble <20 8.5 30 0.98 3 3 3 Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3697X Ester Pale waxy solid 100 15 Insolube 82 6 > 62 1.05 3 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3725X Ester Amber liquid 100 8 Insolube Insoluble 6 > 62 1.09 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3730X Ester Yellow liquid 100 19 Soluble >90 7 > 62 1.03 3 3 Pending Pending 3
Kemelix™ 3738X Ester Yellow liquid 100 8 Insolube 54 7 > 62 1.02 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3743X Ester Yellow liquid 100 10 Dispersiible 79 7 > 62 1.03 3 3 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3744X Ester Yellow liquid 100 6 Insolube Insoluble 6 > 62 0.99 3 3 3 3 3
Demulsifier guide tables
Croda has an extensive range of demulsifiers available to the oilfield chemist and where possible all of the available products
should be tested and formulated accordingly. There will be circumstances, where for certain reasons (e.g. time constraints)
it may not be possible to screen every single active component. Therefore we have broken down our product list to suggest
recommended demulsifiers for certain customer needs. Whilst every set of conditions cannot be covered in this guide, the
following tables give an indication of the first products to test in each instance.

First choice demulsifiers

Primary Function Demulsifier Test Kit

Heavy Oil
Standard
Desalter
Dropper

Treater

Hybrid

Green
Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance
Kemelix™ 3501X Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3535X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3627X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3678X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3741X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / red liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3746X Resin alkoxylate Yellow / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3750X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D302 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D304 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D309 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D310 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D311 Resin alkoxylate Yellow liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D322 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3702X Polysorbate polyester Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3754X Polyol alkoxylate Brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D501 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D503 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D511 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L101 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L121 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3 3
Synperonic™ PE/L64 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3755X Polymerised fatty acid ester Brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3515X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3756X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D510 Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D513 Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D400 Modified polyol Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3697X Ester Pale waxy solid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3725X Ester Amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3730X Ester Yellow liquid 3 3

First choice green demulsifiers

Primary Function Demulsifier Test Kit
Heavy Oil
Standard
Desalter
Dropper

Treater

Hybrid

Green

Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance

Kemelix™ 3702X Polysorbate polyester Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3736X PEG sorbitol ester Pale yellow liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3725X Ester Amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3730X Ester Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3738X Ester Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3743X Ester Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3744X Ester Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3697X Ester Pale waxy solid 3 3 3
First choice demulsifiers for heavy oils (API < 18)
Primary Function Demulsifier Test Kit

Heavy Oil
Standard
Desalter
Dropper

Treater

Hybrid

Green
Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance
Kemelix™ 3747X Resin propoxylate Yellow / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3749X Resin propoxylate Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3627X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3741X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / red liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3746X Resin alkoxylate Yellow / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3750X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D302 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3702X Polysorbate polyester Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3504X Polyol alkoxylate ester Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3735X Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3754X Polyol alkoxylate Brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3755X Polymerised fatty acid ester Brown / amber liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3756X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3736X PEG sorbitol ester Pale yellow liquid 3 3 3
Hypermer™ B246 Nonionic block copolymer Brown waxy solid 3 3

First choice demulsifiers for low temperature (<30°C)

Primary Function Demulsifier Test Kit

Heavy Oil
Standard
Desalter
Dropper

Treater

Hybrid

Green
Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance
Kemelix™ 3418X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3422X Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3515X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3551X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ 3756X Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D510 Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3
Kemelix™ D513 Polyimine derivative Yellow liquid 3 3

First choice desalters

Primary Function Demulsifier Test Kit
Heavy Oil
Standard
Desalter
Dropper

Treater

Hybrid

Green

Demulsifier Chemical Description Appearance

Kemelix™ 3575X Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3678X Resin alkoxylate Dark brown liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D304 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D308 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D309 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D310 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D311 Resin alkoxylate Yellow liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D322 Resin alkoxylate Amber liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D511 Polyol alkoxylate Clear liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ D510 Polyimine derivative Pale yellow liquid 3 3 3
Kemelix™ 3697X Ester Pale waxy solid 3 3 3
Further information
Croda sales and distribution are coordinated through an extensive worldwide
network of associates and agents. If you would like product samples, formulation
advice, or technical assistance, please contact your nearest Croda regional office.

Europe, Middle East, Africa North America Latin America Asia Pacific
Croda Europe Ltd Croda Inc, USA Croda do Brazil Ltda Croda Singapore
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Tel +1 732 417 0800 Tel +55 (0)19 3765-3500 Tel +65 65519600
Fax +44 (0)1405 861767 Fax +1 732 417 0804 Fax +55 (0)19 3765-3536 Fax +65 65519550
email: oilfield@croda.com email: marketing-usa@croda.com email: marketingla@croda.com email: is-asia@croda.com

www.croda.com/oilfield
Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or
accuracy is made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for
their own particular purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without
limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property
rights including, without limit, copyright, trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
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