The applications of Quaternary ammonium compounds in oil field

1. Oilfield water treatment: Benzalkonium chloride, Benzalkonium bromide.

2. Oilfield water purification: Tetramethyl ammonium chloride.

3. Clay anti swelling agents: Many short chain QACs match this function, such as: Tetramethyl ammonium chloride, Benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, Trimethylamine Hydrochloride.

4. Demulsifiers, Corrosion Inhibitors, Drainage Aids: Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, Dodecyl dihydroxyethyl methyl ammonium chloride.

5. Desulfurization of crude oil: Tetrabutyl ammonium bromide.

6. Viscosity reducers of heavy oil: Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride.

7. Molecular sieves for oil refining industry: Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, Tetraethyl ammonium bromide, Tetrapropyl ammonium bromide.

8. Flotation agents: Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride with low assay.

9. Drilling fluid: Tetramethyl ammonium chloride.

10. Paraffin removers, Paraffin inhibitors: Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride widely used.

11. Corrosion inhibitors: Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.

12. Crosslinking agents: Octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride.

13. Foaming agents: QAC foams are usually abundant but not lasting. Normally the single long carbon chain QAC are widely used as foaming agents, and formulated with some anionic surfactants to increased the stability of the foams.

14. Bentonite Modification: Octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride is used as this.