Nitrogen-based copolymers as wax dispersants for paraffinic gas oils

Abstract

n-Alkyl acrylates and n-alkyl methacrylates were prepared by esterification of acrylic and methacrylic acids with two linear long chain alcohol blends NAFOL 1822 and NAFOL 1822C. The four synthesized monomers were characterized and copolymerized with maleic anhydride in 1:1 molar ratio individually. The prepared copolymers were subjected to partial amidation with n-hexadecylamine. The amidated copolymers were purified, characterized, and then evaluated as wax dispersant flow improvers (WDFIs) for improving the cold flow properties of a highly paraffinic gas oil G1 through cloud point (CP), cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and pour point (PP) tests. NAFOL 1822C methacrylate-n-hexadecylamine maleamic acid copolymer has achieved the highest CFPP and PP depression. Consequently, NAFOL 1822C methacrylate monomer was selected for further copolymerization with maleic anhydride in a molar ratio 1:4, respectively. The prepared copolymers were then submitted to partial and complete amidation with n-hexadecylamine, ditallowamine (ARMEEN 2HT), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and morpholine successively. In addition, combined esterification and amidation of the copolymer with NAFOL 1822C and morpholine, respectively, was carried out. Evaluation of the synthesized products as WDFIs in a less paraffinic gas oil G2 revealed that nitrogen and/or oxygen based functional groups of the copolymers are controlling parameters judging their dispersing effect and that NAFOL 1822C methacrylate-n-morpholine amide of NAFOL 1822C maleate copolymer has attained the optimum performance. Results also showed that no correlation is found between gas oil flowability improvements (ΔPP) and filterability amelioration (ΔCFPP). Stability of performance of the prepared additives as wax dispersants lasted for four weeks while for two weeks only as flow improvers.