Brominated surfactants as emulsifiers and weighting agents. Part III: Weighting properties

A new concept was developed as a result of this study: preparation of surfactants which combine weighting and emulsifying functions in one compound. An example is the bromination of unsaturated commercial surfactants to increase their specific gravity. Both non-ionic and anionic surfactants were brominated. By using proper amounts of the new emulsifiers-weighting agents in oil-in-water emulsions, the specific gravity of the oil droplets can be equalized to that of water, very stable emulsion are obtained and no creaming occurs. Larger amounts of these emulsifier-weighting agents in the system increase the specific gravity of the oil droplets to values higher than one. Consequently, downward creaming (sedimentation) occurs, providing substantial evidence for their weighting properties.