The effect of nanohybrid materials on the pour-point and viscosity depressing of waxy crude oil

Feng Wang,Guangwen Liu,Li Li,Lixin Zhang,Shujie Zhi,Lianfeng Huo,Xin Ouyang,Muyang Ai,Yanfen Ding,Dongmin Zhang,Mingshu Yang,Baoliang Jiang,Shimin Zhang

doi:10.1007/s11434-010-4174-4

Abstract

The pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil is a problem both at home and abroad. In this paper, a novel nanohybrid pour-point depressant (PPD) was used to decrease the pour point and viscosity of waxy crude oil. The pour point and apparent viscosity of waxy crude oil was decreased significantly upon addition of the nanohybrid PPD, and the long-term stability of the nanohybrid PPD was superior to that of a conventional ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer PPD. Polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to study the effect of the nanohybrid PPD on the crystallization of crude oil. Addition of the nanohybrid PPD reduced the amount of wax crystals, prevented their aggregation, and reduced the temperature at which the crude oil started to crystallize. The significant effect of this nanohybrid PPD on the pour point and viscosity depressing of crude oil is of great importance for facilitating the safe, efficient and energy-minimized transportation of waxy crude oil.

Highlights

The pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil is a problem both at home and abroad
The chemical technology associated with pipeline transportation of crude oil includes emulsification, suspension transportation and pour-point depressant (PPD) technology
A large number of crude oil PPDs have been reported [4,5], which are divided into the following categories: ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and its derivatives, long chain alkyl acrylate polymer and its derivatives, styrenemaleic anhydride-long chain alkyl acrylate copolymer and its derivatives, and long chain alkyl acrylate-maleic anhydridevinyl acetate copolymer and its derivatives

Summary

Introduction

The pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil is a problem both at home and abroad. In this paper, a novel nanohybrid pour-point depressant (PPD) was used to decrease the pour point and viscosity of waxy crude oil. These PPDs are very effective at depressing the viscosity and pour point of crude oil, and play an important role in the pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil.

Results

Conclusion