Additive to reduce the deposit of polymeric solids in the pump head

Abstract

ABSTRACT A drag-reducing formulation includes a polymer composition and a biodegradable fatty acid ester. In certain embodiments, the polymer composition includes at least one latex polymer. The biodegradable fatty acid ester has an R1C(=O)OR2 structure, where R1 is a C8-C40 alkyl or alkenyl group having zero to three C=C double bonds and R2 is a C1-C15 alkyl or alkenyl group. In another aspect, a method for using a drag-reducing formulation involves the steps of deriving a biodegradable fatty acid from a renewable source and blending the biodegradable fatty acid ester with a polymer composition having at least one latex polymer to obtain the drag-reducing formulation. The method further involves introducing the drag-reducing formulation at an injection point.