Petroleum-Collecting and Dispersing Complexes Based on Oleic Acid and Nitrogenous Compounds as Surface-Active Agents for Removing Thin Petroleum Films from Water Surface

Abstract

Petroleum-collecting and dispersing complexes were synthesized on the basis of oleic acid and nitrogen-containing compounds. Surface-active properties (interfacial tension) of the obtained complexes were investigated by stalagmometric method. Petroleum-collecting and dispersing properties of the oleic acid complexes in diluted (5% wt. water or alcoholic solution) and undiluted form have been studied in waters of varying salinity (distilled, fresh and sea waters). Some of physico-chemical indices of the prepared compounds such as solubility, acid and amine numbers as well as electrical conductivity have been determined. The ability of oleic acid complex with ethylenediamine as petro-collecting and dispersing agent towards different types of petroleum has been studied. The influence of thickness and “age” of the petroleum slick on collecting and dispersing capacity of this complex has been clarified. Surface properties studied included critical micelle concentration (CMC), maximum surface excess (Γmax), and minimum surface area (Amin). Free energies of micellization (ΔGomic) and adsorption (ΔGoads) were calculated.