Abstract
Wax deposition, precipitation, and gelation make the transport of crude oil in pipelines challenging. The effect of several ethylene copolymers, and small molecules with a long alkyl chain, on wax formation was investigated for n-C32H66 in decane and de-aromatized white oil. Addition of a small amount of EVA (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers delayed nucleation by reducing the onset temperature and the wax appearance temperature. They modified the wax crystal-structure and morphology from large plates to tiny particles by adsorbing to the wax surfaces and inhibiting growth. Viscosity and the pour-point were improved by inhibiting the formation of large aggregates. It was demonstrated that the content of vinyl acetate groups in EVA copolymers affected wax crystallization. The small molecules, propylene copolymers, and ethylene copolymers with ethyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, and ethylene glycol showed a weak inhibiting effect. The effect of wax inhibitors was determined by the content and by the type of structure-disturbing groups in the copolymers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
