There are emulsifiers; are there also demulsifiers? Or a solvent that disrupts the miscible solvents?
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This post was last edited by Rubber Vulcanization Accelerator on 2017-11-24 at 11:17. Oil and water, or two or more immiscible substances, can be brought into an emulsified state using emulsifiers. I’m wondering if it’s possible to add a \"separating agent\" to solutions that are mutually soluble or in an emulsified state in order to separate them Currently, distillation or extraction is used to separate mutually soluble solvents; if available, can a small amount of a \"breaking solvent\" be added to separate them? Is it more convenient? For example, in a water-alcohol solution (not limited to this example), if a certain substance is added, it can cause water and alcohol to separate into layers, or it can accelerate their separation. It’s as if the substance added acts as a membrane that is immiscible with both water and alcohol; alcohol is on top, while water is below. If anyone has come across anything related to this, please share it so as to expand my knowledge. I heard recently that adding a certain substance can quickly separate water from organic solvents mixed with water! And it has no effect on the organic phase.
Demulsifiers do exist, but different demulsifiers are required for different mixtures
But what you mentioned sounds more like an extractant; I’m not sure if I misunderstood
Well, I’ve learned a bit about demulsifiers as well; what I suggested can be considered a form of interfacial separation, I guess! It’s like a permeable membrane, or a separation membrane. The permeable membrane is solid; if there were a liquid version, it would solve many practical problems!
Well, I’ve learned a bit about demulsifiers as well; what I suggested can be considered a form of interfacial separation, I guess! It’s like a permeable membrane, or a separation membrane. The permeable membrane is solid; if there were a liquid version, it would solve many practical problems!
Yes, it resembles an extractant, but it is still immiscible with any of the solvents in the mixture! When mutually soluble solutions are added to it, they can separate into different layers.
Emulsifiers and demulsifiers are commonly used in water injection and oil extraction in oil fields; you can look up relevant information on this topic.
Can extraction also be used for the separation of mutually soluble substances? What I mean is, is there any additive that, when added, can cause a solution that is weakened or miscible to separate into layers? Layering is the most ideal.
Yes, in the water flooding method for oil extraction, emulsifiers are added to water during flooding in order to increase the amount of crude oil recovered. After the water-containing crude oil reaches the surface, demulsifiers are added to facilitate rapid separation of the crude oil from the water. That’s the principle.