| abstract |
The invention relates to the use of non-dendrimeric, highly functional, hyperbranched polymers as demulsifiers for cracking crude oil emulsions. The hyperbranched polymers are preferably hyperbranched polycarbonates, hyperbranched polyesters, hyperbranched polyethers, hyperbranched polyurethanes, hyperbranched polyurea-polyurethanes, hyperbranched polyureas, hyperbranched polyamides, hyperbranched polyetheramines and hyperbranched polyesteramides which contain functional groups selected from the group consisting of -OC (O) OR, -COOH, -COOR, -CONHR, -CONH 2 , -OH, -SH, -NH 2 , -NHR, -NR 2 , -SO 3 H, -SO 3 R, -NHCOOR, -NHCONH 2 and -NHCONHR, wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl radical. |