Aqueous surfactant solutions which exhibit ultra-low tensions at the oil-water interface

Ultra-low values of the tension at an oil-aqueous electrolyte solution interface can be developed by the addition of water-soluble surfactants of the petroleum sulfonate type. Interfacial tensions in the range of 10⁻³ dyne/cm or lower are readily achieved with surfactant concentrations of the order of 0.1 wt%. For a given oil and aqueous solution, the minimum interfacial tension resulting from the addition of a petroleum sulfonate depends markedly on the average equivalent weight of the sulfonate. Sulfonates having average equivalent weights higher and lower than a previously determined optimum weight, when mixed so as to yield this particular average weight, will also produce ultra-low interfacial tensions. For a given oil, additional control of this unusual type of interfacial activity is accomplished by adjustment of the electrolyte concentration of the aqueous phase.