A method for preparing an oil-based spacer gel for use in the segregated transport of product oil in a pipeline
By preparing an oil-based isolation gel, the problem of oil mixing in the pipeline transportation of finished oil products was solved, achieving efficient isolation and clean transportation, and improving the efficiency of finished oil transportation and the reliability of pipelines.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA UNIV OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Traditional pipeline transportation methods for refined oil products lack flexibility in unidirectional, large-volume, and multi-variety oil transportation, leading to the mixing of adjacent oil products and resulting in depreciation losses. Domestic research on colloidal isolation, liquid isolation, and wear-resistant isolation balls is insufficient, affecting the efficiency and quality of refined oil transportation.
An oil-based isolation gel preparation method is adopted, which involves preparing a pre-reaction material, synthesizing a small molecule gelling agent, and formulating an oil-based isolation gel. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, boric acid, and a crosslinking agent are used to form a highly efficient isolation in the finished oil. It has excellent viscoelasticity and deformability and can form an isolation plug in the pipeline to prevent oil mixing.
It achieves efficient isolation and transportation of refined oil, reduces the amount of mixed oil, removes impurities from pipelines, improves pipeline transportation efficiency and safety, extends pipeline life, and reduces the cost of mixed oil treatment.
Smart Images
Figure CN117899769B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of refined oil transportation, particularly to the field of isolation transportation in sequential transportation of refined oil, and more specifically to a method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation transportation of refined oil. Background Technology
[0002] Pipeline transportation of refined oil products is widely used due to its high efficiency, safety, and economy. However, traditional pipeline transportation methods have certain limitations in terms of unidirectional, large-volume, and multi-variety oil transportation, making them less flexible compared to other transportation methods. To overcome this problem, sequential transportation technology has emerged, effectively improving the adaptability of pipeline systems by cleverly scheduling different types of oil products. Sequential transportation maximizes the utilization rate of long-distance pipelines, but it inevitably leads to mixed oil due to the mixing of adjacent oil products. Since the mixed oil has different physicochemical properties, it cannot be sold as qualified oil, resulting in devaluation. To reduce the amount of mixed oil during sequential transportation of refined oil products, isolation transportation methods are widely used abroad, and their economic benefits and oil separation effects have been fully verified. This method uses buffer solutions or immiscible liquid phases or gels to completely isolate adjacent oil products, effectively preventing mixing. Determining the isolation transportation process with minimal mixing and the lowest economic cost requires comprehensive consideration of subsequent processing technologies. China Oil & Gas Pipeline Network Corporation has made sequential transportation of refined oil products a key research direction for its technological development. However, domestic research on colloidal isolation, liquid isolation, and wear-resistant isolation balls remains relatively insufficient. With the continued growth in domestic demand for refined oil products, achieving flexible and efficient transportation of these products has become particularly urgent.
[0003] Gel slug isolation methods, as a key technology for improving pipeline transportation flexibility, have broad application prospects. Oil-based gels are gel-like substances based on oily materials. They are typically composed of a mixture of oil-based materials and a gelling agent, forming a substance with gel-like properties. This gel remains stable at high temperatures and exhibits good properties in oily environments. The oil-based isolation gel used in the sequential transportation of refined oil is a special type of gel material used to isolate different types of refined oil during pipeline transportation. This oil-based isolation gel possesses excellent viscoelasticity and deformability, enabling it to form an elastic isolation slug within the pipeline. This isolation slug can separate different types of refined oil, effectively preventing them from mixing and maintaining their respective properties, thereby ensuring the quality and purity of the refined oil. Therefore, the development of novel isolation gels for the isolation and transportation of refined oil pipelines is crucial for the development of my country's refined oil transportation industry. Summary of the Invention
[0004] Based on the above-mentioned technical problems, this invention proposes a method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for the isolation and transportation of finished oil products in pipelines. The oil-based isolation gel prepared by this method can effectively solve the problem of isolation and transportation in finished oil products pipelines.
[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:
[0006] A method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products includes the following steps:
[0007] (1) Preparation of pre-reaction material
[0008] The reactants, solvent and catalyst are mixed to obtain a premix, and then the reaction is carried out under stirring and reflux to obtain a pre-reacted mixture;
[0009] (2) Synthetic small molecule gelling agents
[0010] Add boric acid solution to the pre-reaction material obtained in step (1) to obtain a mixed solution. Adjust the pH value of the mixed solution and then react under stirring and reflux conditions to obtain a small molecule gelling agent.
[0011] (3) Preparation of oil-based isolation gel
[0012] Add the small molecule gelling agent obtained in step (2) to the finished oil, then add the crosslinking agent, stir evenly, and let it age to form an oil-based isolation gel.
[0013] Preferably, in step (1): the reactant is ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, the solvent is ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide, and the catalyst is sulfuric acid, nitric acid or hydrochloric acid.
[0014] Preferably, the volume ratio of reactants to solvent is 1:2 to 3; the mass concentration of sulfuric acid, nitric acid or hydrochloric acid is 10% to 15%; and the volume ratio of reactants to catalyst is 5 to 6:1.
[0015] Preferably, in step (1): the reaction temperature is 45-55℃ and the stirring speed is 400-500r / min.
[0016] Preferably, in step (1): the reactants and solvent are mixed first, and the reaction is refluxed at a temperature of 45-55°C and a stirring speed of 400-500 r / min. After 10-15 min, the catalyst is added, and the reaction is continued to be stirred for 2-3 h.
[0017] Preferably, in step (2): the mass concentration of the boric acid solution is 1% to 3%, and the volume ratio of the added boric acid solution to the reactants is 1:4 to 5.
[0018] Preferably, in step (2): the pH value of the mixed solution is adjusted by using a sodium hydroxide solution with a mass concentration of 1% to 3% to keep the pH value of the mixed solution at 4 to 5.
[0019] Preferably, in step (2): the temperature of the heating reflux is controlled at 70-85℃, the stirring speed is 1500-2000r / min, and the reaction time is 4-5h.
[0020] Preferably, in step (3): the finished oil is gasoline or diesel; the crosslinking agent is sodium aluminate solution or sodium metaaluminate solution with a mass concentration of 20% to 25%;
[0021] Based on a consumption of 100mL of finished oil, the amount of small molecule gelling agent added is 1-2mL, and the amount of crosslinking agent added is 1-2mL.
[0022] Preferably, in step (3): the stirring speed is controlled at 500-1000 r / min, the stirring time is 10-15 min, and the aging time is 2-3 h.
[0023] The beneficial technical effects of the present invention are as follows:
[0024] This invention utilizes ethylene glycol butyl ether as a premix and boric acid as a crosslinking agent to prepare a small-molecule gelling agent. Through a rational compounding method with a finished oil base, a highly efficient oil-based isolation gel is prepared. This oil-based isolation gel exhibits excellent pipeline adaptability, sealing properties, and shear resistance in finished oil pipeline transportation. Its application in pipelines can effectively achieve oil isolation, reduce oil mixing, clean pipelines, and facilitate recovery, thereby improving the efficiency of finished oil transportation and the reliability of pipelines.
[0025] Specifically, the oil-based isolation gel prepared by the present invention has the following advantages:
[0026] 1. Excellent viscoelasticity: The oil-based isolation gel prepared by this invention exhibits excellent viscoelasticity and can self-repair after pump shearing, ensuring stable adhesion performance during pipeline transportation or industrial applications. This characteristic allows the gel to effectively adhere to the inner surface of the pipeline and quickly recover its original shape when subjected to shear force or external impact.
[0027] 2. Excellent environmental adaptability: The oil-based sealing gel is deformable, allowing it to adapt to the shape of pipes with varying diameters and the bends of long-distance pipelines. This flexibility enables it to effectively seal in complex pipeline networks and smoothly pass through obstacles.
[0028] 3. Removes impurities from pipelines: The oil-based isolation gel itself can carry impurities, removing large amounts of debris from pipelines without getting stuck, thus resolving the accumulation of silt or corrosion products. This helps reduce pipeline friction resistance, decreases pipeline wear, extends pipeline life, and improves the overall performance of the pipeline pig.
[0029] 4. Improve pipeline transportation efficiency: Because oil-based isolation gel can effectively isolate and seal different oils (oil-water, oil-oil, oil-gas), it reduces the problems caused by oil mixing in pipelines and improves the efficiency and safety of pipeline transportation. Attached Figure Description
[0030] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products according to the present invention;
[0031] Figure 2 The graph shows the apparent viscosity test results of the oil-based isolation gel prepared in this invention. Detailed Implementation
[0032] This invention provides a method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for the isolation and transportation of refined oil products in pipelines. The main steps are as follows: First, in the planned reaction and blending stage, a certain amount of reactants, solvents, and catalysts are taken as premixes and stirred and refluxed at a certain temperature to ensure thorough mixing. Second, in the small molecule gelling agent synthesis stage, a specific solution (such as boric acid solution) is added to the premixes to adjust the pH value of the solution, and then the mixture is heated and stirred under reflux to obtain the small molecule gelling agent. Finally, in the oil-based isolation gel formulation stage, the small molecule gelling agent is added to the refined oil, and an appropriate amount of crosslinking agent is added. Through uniform stirring and standing, an oil-based isolation gel with excellent viscoelasticity and deformability is formed. This method is simple and controllable, and the resulting oil-based isolation gel is flexible enough to be used for the isolation and transportation of refined oil products. In long-distance transportation, it can effectively isolate different types of oil products transported sequentially in refined oil pipelines while maintaining a sealed state, reducing oil mixing during sequential transportation and lowering the cost of oil mixing treatment. In addition, it can significantly remove impurities in pipelines, improve the performance of pipeline pigs, and reduce pipeline wear. This invention provides a reliable and efficient solution for the isolated transportation of refined oil products, which can effectively meet the needs of refined oil transportation pipelines and has the potential for wide industrial applications.
[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments.
[0034] Example 1
[0035] Step 1: Preparation of pre-reaction material
[0036] First, 10 mL of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was poured into 20 mL of ethylene glycol, and the reaction was refluxed at a temperature of 45 °C and a stirring speed of 500 r / min. After 10 min, 2 mL of 10% sulfuric acid was added, and stirring was continued for 2 h to obtain the pre-reaction material.
[0037] Step 2: Synthesis of small molecule gelling agents
[0038] Add 2 mL of 1.5% boric acid to the pre-reaction material, adjust the pH of the mixed solution to 4-5 using sodium hydroxide solution, maintain the reflux temperature at 85℃, stir at 1500 r / min, and obtain the small molecule gelling agent after stirring and refluxing for 4 hours.
[0039] Step 3: Preparation of oil-based isolation gel
[0040] Take 100 mL of diesel oil, add 2 mL of small molecule gelling agent, mechanically stir at 1500 r / min, then add 1 mL of sodium aluminate solution with a mass concentration of 20%, stir evenly and let it age for 2 hours to form an oil-based isolation gel.
[0041] Example 2
[0042] Step 1: Preparation of pre-reaction material
[0043] First, 10 mL of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was poured into 20 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide and the mixture was refluxed at 55 °C and 400 r / min. After 10 min, 2 mL of 10% sulfuric acid was added and the mixture was stirred for another 2 h to obtain the pre-reaction material.
[0044] Step 2: Synthesis of small molecule gelling agents
[0045] Add 2 mL of 1.5% boric acid to the pre-reaction material, adjust the pH of the mixed solution to 4-5 using sodium hydroxide solution, maintain the reflux temperature at 70℃, stir at 2000 r / min, and obtain the small molecule gelling agent after stirring and refluxing for 4 hours.
[0046] Step 3: Preparation of oil-based isolation gel
[0047] Take 100 mL of gasoline, add 1 mL of small molecule gelling agent, mechanically stir at 2000 r / min, then add 1 mL of sodium aluminate solution with a mass concentration of 20%, stir evenly and let it age for 3 hours to form an oil-based isolation gel.
[0048] Example 3
[0049] Step 1: Preparation of pre-reaction material
[0050] First, 10 mL of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was poured into 20 mL of dimethylformamide, and the mixture was refluxed at 50 °C and 450 r / min. After 10 min, 2 mL of 15% hydrochloric acid was added, and the mixture was stirred for another 2 h to obtain the pre-reaction material.
[0051] Step 2: Synthesis of small molecule gelling agents
[0052] Add 2 mL of 1.5% boric acid to the pre-reaction material, adjust the pH of the mixed solution to 4-5 using sodium hydroxide solution, maintain the reflux temperature at 80℃, stir at 1800 r / min, and obtain the small molecule gelling agent after stirring and refluxing for 4 hours.
[0053] Step 3: Preparation of oil-based isolation gel
[0054] Take 100 mL of diesel oil, add 2 mL of small molecule gelling agent, mechanically stir at 1800 r / min, then add 1 mL of 20% sodium aluminate solution, stir evenly and let it age for 2 hours to form an oil-based isolation gel.
[0055] Example 4
[0056] Step 1: Preparation of pre-reaction material
[0057] First, 10 mL of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was poured into 20 mL of ethylene glycol, and the mixture was refluxed at 55 °C and 400 r / min. After 15 min, 2 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid was added, and the mixture was stirred for another 2 h to obtain the pre-reaction material.
[0058] Step 2: Synthesis of small molecule gelling agents
[0059] Add 2 mL of 1.5% boric acid to the pre-reaction material, adjust the pH of the mixed solution to 4-5 using sodium hydroxide solution, maintain the reflux temperature at 80℃, stir at 1500 r / min, and obtain the small molecule gelling agent after stirring and refluxing for 4 hours.
[0060] Step 3: Preparation of oil-based isolation gel
[0061] Take 100 mL of diesel oil, add 2 mL of small molecule gelling agent, mechanically stir at 2000 r / min, then add 1 mL of 20% sodium aluminate solution, stir evenly and let it age for 2 hours to form an oil-based isolation gel.
[0062] The synthesis reaction process of the small molecule gelling agent in this invention is shown in the following formula:
[0063]
[0064] Ethers readily undergo catalytic reactions under acidic conditions, where the acid catalyst is typically a protonic acid. Boric acid, a weak acid, can donate protons and thus acts as an acid catalyst in the reaction. At the start of the reaction, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether undergoes an acid-catalyzed reaction with boric acid. The hydroxyl group (-OH) in boric acid is protonated, forming a proton H. + Proton H + The boron acid attacks the oxygen atom in ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, forming a positive charge on the oxygen atom. This positively charged oxygen atom then becomes a favorable nucleophile, attacking the boron atom in the boric acid. The resulting intermediate undergoes a series of steps to ultimately generate tris(2-butoxyethyl)boronic acid ester. This reaction is an ether-acid catalytic reaction; the boric acid promotes the alteration of the molecular structure of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, generating the new boric acid ester product.
[0065] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products according to the present invention. The oil-based isolation gel obtained by the present invention is a pale yellow colloid that can recover its shape after a period of time following shearing.
[0066] Figure 2 The graph shows the apparent viscosity test results of the oil-based isolation gel prepared according to the present invention. The apparent viscosity of Examples 1 and 2 was tested. As can be seen from the graph, with the extension of shear time, the shear resistance of the oil-based isolation gel prepared in Example 2 is better than that of the oil-based isolation gel prepared in Example 1.
[0067] In addition, pipeline tests were conducted on the oil-based isolation gel prepared in this invention before and after separation of fluid media. The test results show that the prepared oil-based isolation gel can completely separate two different oil products and begin to be transported in isolation under the impetus of the gas source. It can continuously pass through the grid plate and still has good sealing performance after passing through the grid plate. Finally, it is discharged from the pipeline through the elbow.
Claims
1. A method for preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of a product oil through a pipeline, characterized in that Includes the following steps: (1) Preparation of pre-reaction material The reactants, solvent and catalyst are mixed to obtain a premix, and then the reaction is carried out under stirring and reflux to obtain a pre-reacted mixture; The reactant is ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, the solvent is ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide, and the catalyst is sulfuric acid, nitric acid or hydrochloric acid; (2) Synthetic small molecule gelling agents Add boric acid solution to the pre-reaction material obtained in step (1) to obtain a mixed solution. Adjust the pH value of the mixed solution and then react under stirring and reflux conditions to obtain a small molecule gelling agent. (3) Preparation of oil-based isolation gel Add the small molecule gelling agent obtained in step (2) to the finished oil, then add the crosslinking agent, stir evenly, and let it age to form an oil-based isolation gel.
2. A method for preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of a product oil through a pipeline as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that: The volume ratio of reactants to solvent is 1:2 to 3; the mass concentration of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, or hydrochloric acid is 10% to 15%; and the volume ratio of reactants to catalyst is 5 to 6:
1.
3. A method of preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of a product oil through a pipeline as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, In step (1): the reaction temperature is 45-55 ℃ and the stirring speed is 400-500 r / min.
4. The method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1): the reactants and solvent are mixed first, and the reaction is refluxed at a temperature of 45-55 °C and a stirring speed of 400-500 r / min. After 10-15 min, the catalyst is added and the reaction is continued to be stirred for 2-3 h.
5. The method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2): the mass concentration of the boric acid solution is 1% to 3%, and the volume ratio of the added boric acid solution to the reactants is 1:4 to 5.
6. The method for preparing an oil-based isolation gel for pipeline isolation and transportation of finished oil products according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2): the pH value of the mixed solution is adjusted by using a sodium hydroxide solution with a mass concentration of 1% to 3% to keep the pH value of the mixed solution at 4 to 5.
7. A process for preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of finished petroleum products as claimed in claim 1, wherein, In step (2): the temperature of the heating reflux is controlled at 70-85 ℃, the stirring speed is 1500-2000 r / min, and the reaction time is 4-5 h.
8. A method of preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of a product oil through a pipeline as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, In step (3): the finished oil is gasoline or diesel; the crosslinking agent is sodium aluminate solution or sodium metaaluminate solution with a mass concentration of 20% to 25%; Based on a consumption of 100 mL of finished oil, the amount of small molecule gelling agent added is 1-2 mL, and the amount of crosslinking agent added is 1-2 mL.
9. A method of preparing an oil-based barrier gel for use in the barrier transfer of a product oil through a pipeline as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, In step (3): the stirring speed is controlled at 500-1000 r / min, the stirring time is 10-15 min, and the aging time is 2-3 h.