Miscibility in systems containing aqueous solutions of various alkylbenzenesulfonates, toluene and, n-butanol

Miscibility relationships in four-component systems containing sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates, toluene, n-butanol, and water were studied at 25°C in the hope of clarifying the complex systems used in the “micellar flood” enhanced oil recovery process. Phase boundary curves for the pseudo three-component systems (constant sulfonate/water ratios, 2.5 moles sulfonate per kg water) were determined. The sulfonates included those of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, mesitylene, cymene, methyl-t-butylbenzene, and diisopropylbenzene, in all of which the alkyl substituents are smaller than in the usual surfactants. The phase boundary curves have similar and fairly symmetrical shapes. The amount of n-butanol (cosolvent) required to produce miscibility decreases with increasing number of alkyl carbons on the benzene ring of the sulfonates and seems relatively independent of the isomeric structure. The sodium salt of diisopropylbenzenesulfonate gives the lowest phase boundary curve (least n-butanol required for miscibility) among the nine sulfonates studied.