Ecolab USA Inc.

Kerry C Brinkman

Peter E Reed

Heinrich Enoch Bode

William J Andrews

Zachary Wilson Logan

Warren T Gillenwater

Martin David Biggs

Emily C Hart

Disclosed herein are inversion systems and methods of diluting w/o lattices including about 10 wt % to 80 wt % of a water soluble polymer. Using the inversion systems and methods described herein, dilution of w/o lattices is carried out in a single step to form dilute lattices having 10,000 ppm or less polymer; the dilute lattices form polymer solutions with no further addition of mixing force or water. The solution viscosities of the polymer solutions obtained using the systems and methods of the invention are at least about 80% of solution viscosity expected in the absence of shear.

Apparatus and method for inverting polymer latices

Invertible latices suitable for use in enhanced oil recovery are formed by adding a first inversion surfactant and a second inversion surfactant to a water-in-oil latex comprising about 15 wt % to 50 wt % of a water soluble polymer having a net ionic charge. The first inversion surfactant has a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of about 15 to 35 and an ionic charge that is the opposite of the net ionic charge of the polymer. The second inversion surfactant has a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of between about 8 and 20. The invertible latices are diluted in a single step to provide dilute latices having 10,000 ppm or less polymer solids.

Invertible water-in-oil latices and methods of use

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Naperville, IL, United States of America

Kerry C Brinkman