Novel allyl-ester-based polymers as flow improvers for waxy crude oil

The deposition of paraffin wax from crude oil at low temperatures due to wax deposition, high pour point, high viscosity, and weak flow capability is among the critical and persisting challenges faced by the petroleum industry. In this study, a new para-decyloxy allyl benzoate (I10) was prepared, polymerized into HI10, and copolymerized with dioctadecyl maleate into MHI10 via the free-radical polymerization method employing azobisisobutyronitrile and toluene as the initiator and solvent, respectively. The prepared monomer was characterized by spectroscopic analyses (Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR)) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Further, the polymers were characterized by FT-IR, and their average molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography. The prepared compounds were taken in different concentrations and then tested as flow improvers of Qarun waxy crude oil using pour point depression and rheological parameters. The results of this test indicated that MHI10 exerted the highest effect on pour point reduction and the rheological parameters (yield value and apparent viscosity). Moreover, an increase in the efficiency of the additives was observed after increasing their concentration from 1000 to 5000 ppm.

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Application of Synthesized Novel Biodegradable Pour-Point Depressant from Natural Source on Flow Assurance of Indian Waxy Crude Oil and Comparative Studies with Commercial Pour-Point Depressant

SPE Journal ◽

10.2118/208578-pa ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Biswadeep Pal ◽

Tarun Kumar Naiya

Keyword(s):

Interfacial Tension ◽

Crude Oil ◽

Pour Point ◽

Microscopic Analysis ◽

Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽

Flow Assurance ◽

Pour Point Depressant ◽

Waxy Crude Oil ◽

Waxy Crude ◽

Point Depressant

Summary Pour-point depressants (PPDs) were synthesized from natural sources and used in waxy crude oil transportation to reduce the pour point and improve flow. A biodegradable PPD (BPPD) was synthesized and tested to mitigate crude oil flow assurance problems in the present work. The transesterification process was used to synthesize coconut oil ethyl ester (COEE, termed as BPPD). Fourier transform electron spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), and microscopic analysis were performed for better understanding of mechanisms for both BPPD and a commercially available PPD named PPD-A. The pour point of crude oil was reduced by 12 and 9°C after the addition of 800 ppm BPPD and PPD-A, respectively. The microscopic analysis confirms that the crystals of wax converted to very fine and dispersed particles during mixing of additives, which in turn increase flowability. BPPD performs better to reduce interfacial tension than PPD-A. The maximum reduction of 19% in interfacial tension was observed after the addition of 800 ppm BPPD. BPPD alters the wettability of the pipeline surface from intermediate wet to water-wet within 60 seconds, which results in reduced slip velocity and consequently lessens the deposition of wax. As a result, crude oils will not stick to the wall of the pipe surface and will experience less resistance to flow through pipelines. FTIR analysis indicated that long-chain alkane and aromatic groups are responsible for a higher pour point, and their concentration level was reduced after the addition of BPPD. The viscosity of crude oil was reduced by almost 94% after the addition of 800 ppm BPPD with crude oil, which in turn minimizes pumping costs for crude oil. As a result, the total project cost was reduced substantially. Biodegradability tests confirm that the BPPD is biodegradable and nontoxic. Due to its biodegradability and nontoxic nature, BPPD has a promising capacity to be used in the petroleum industry for easier pipeline transportation of waxy crude.

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