Water Clarifier (Deoiler): Reverse Demulsifier for Oilfield Produced Water & Oily Wastewater Treatment

Introduction: The Challenge of Oily Wastewater

In oil and water treatment operations, one problem consistently ranks among the most difficult to solve: oil that refuses to separate from water.

Whether it is produced water from oil extraction, polymer-containing wastewater from enhanced oil recovery, or oily effluent from industrial processes, the challenge is the same. Free oil rises and can be skimmed. Dispersed oil can be captured by coalescing media. But emulsified oil — tiny droplets stabilized by surfactants, fine solids, and interfacial films — remains stubbornly suspended, resisting gravity separation and passing through conventional treatment equipment.

This is where the Water Clarifier (Deoiler) comes in.

A Water Clarifier — also called a reverse demulsifier or deoiler — is a chemical agent specifically designed to break oil-in-water emulsions, allowing oil droplets to coalesce, rise, and be separated from the water phase. It is the chemical counterpart to physical separation equipment, and it plays a critical role in produced water treatment, wastewater purification, and oil recovery.

A Water Clarifier (Deoiler) is a reverse-phase demulsifier used to treat oilfield produced water and polymer-containing wastewater. Unlike conventional demulsifiers — which break water-in-oil emulsions in crude oil — reverse demulsifiers target oil-in-water emulsions, where oil is the dispersed phase and water is the continuous phase.

The product works by:

— oil droplets in water often carry negative surface charges that prevent coalescence. The deoiler neutralizes these charges.

— surfactants, fine solids, and polymers that stabilize the emulsion are displaced from the oil-water interface.

— once the interfacial film is weakened, oil droplets merge into larger droplets that can rise by gravity.

— the treated water becomes clear, meeting discharge or reinjection standards.

The result is effective oil-water separation, purified sewage, and improved recovery of oil products.

Note: Specifications can be customized according to your specific wastewater characteristics.

The Water Clarifier is dosed into the wastewater stream — typically at the inlet of a separation vessel, flotation unit, or filtration system. It can be injected continuously via metering pump or added in batch mode.

The deoiler molecules rapidly disperse through the water phase and migrate to the oil-water interface. Within seconds to minutes, they begin destabilizing the emulsion.

Destabilized oil droplets collide and merge. Small droplets become larger droplets. The larger the droplet, the faster it rises.

The coalesced oil rises to the surface, where it can be skimmed or decanted. The clarified water phase exits the system, ready for discharge, reinjection, or further treatment.

The separated oil is recovered and can be returned to the process stream, improving overall oil recovery and reducing waste.

Produced water is the largest byproduct stream in oil and gas production. The U.S. alone generates over 24 billion barrels annually. Produced water contains dispersed and emulsified oil that must be removed before the water can be reinjected or discharged. The Water Clarifier (Deoiler) is used at the primary separation stage to break oil-in-water emulsions and enhance oil removal efficiency.

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using polymer flooding generates produced water containing residual polyacrylamide. These polymers stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, making separation extremely difficult. Conventional treatments often fail. The Water Clarifier is specifically formulated to work in polymer-containing wastewater, breaking emulsions that other chemicals cannot.

Beyond oilfield applications, the Water Clarifier is used for:

By breaking emulsions and allowing oil to separate, the Water Clarifier helps recover oil that would otherwise be lost in the water phase. This improves overall oil recovery and reduces the environmental impact of oily wastewater discharge.

The Water Clarifier (Deoiler) is designed to work alongside physical separation equipment for optimal results:

The Water Clarifier is most effective when used upstream of fine separation equipment. By breaking the emulsion and promoting coalescence, it allows the physical separator to capture oil droplets that would otherwise pass through.

The Water Clarifier formulation can be tailored to your specific wastewater characteristics, including salinity, polymer content, oil type, and operating temperature. Please provide your water analysis for a tailored recommendation.

Products supplied to major oilfields and industrial customers worldwide

Works where conventional chemicals fail

Designed for EOR produced water

Works with our separation equipment for complete treatment

Formulations tailored to your water chemistry

Stable supply and factory-direct pricing

Efficient logistics from China to global markets

Our team can recommend dosage and application methods

It is a reverse demulsifier used to break oil-in-water emulsions in produced water and oily wastewater. It separates oil from water, clarifies the water phase, and improves oil recovery.

A regular demulsifier breaks water-in-oil emulsions (water droplets in oil). A Water Clarifier breaks oil-in-water emulsions (oil droplets in water). They target opposite emulsion types.

Yes. The Water Clarifier is specifically formulated to work in polymer-containing wastewater from EOR operations, where conventional treatments often fail.

Dosage depends on the oil content, emulsion stability, and water chemistry. Typical dosage ranges from 10–100 mg/L. Our technical team can recommend specific dosage based on your water analysis.

It is typically injected continuously via metering pump at the inlet of a separation vessel, flotation unit, or filtration system. Batch treatment is also possible for smaller volumes.

Standard packaging is 200L drums or 1000L IBC tanks. Custom packaging is available upon request.

Yes, samples can be provided for evaluation. Please contact us with your water analysis and treatment requirements.

For quotations, technical data sheets, or samples of Water Clarifier (Deoiler), please contact us:

📧 Email: info@jusenchem.com

📞 WhatsApp: +86 18954690080

🌐 Website: www.jusenchem.com

Jusen Chem — your reliable partner for oil and water treatment chemicals and equipment.