Compositions for reducing friction in fluids conveyed in pipelines

A composition of amorphous poly-alpha-olefins with extended chains, produced using a specific catalyst system, effectively reduces friction in turbulent fluid flow, addressing stability and dosage issues of existing drag reducers, thereby lowering pressure drops and operational costs.

WO2026139900A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-02VERSALIS OILFILED SOLUTIONS SRL
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
VERSALIS OILFILED SOLUTIONS SRL
Filing Date
2025-12-23
Publication Date
2026-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing drag reducers for fluids in pipelines, such as amorphous poly-alpha-olefins, are not effective at very low concentrations and are unstable across varying pH conditions, making them difficult to dose and limiting their application in long-distance fluid transport.

Method used

A composition comprising amorphous poly-alpha-olefins with extended polymer chains, produced using a bimetallic catalyst system containing titanium, hafnium, and zirconium, is used to reduce friction in turbulent fluid flow, combined with a liquid phase and an anti-sticking agent, allowing for effective drag reduction at low concentrations.

Benefits of technology

The composition achieves significant drag reduction in turbulent fluid flow with Reynolds numbers above 4,000, reducing pressure drops and maintenance costs while maintaining stability across different pH conditions.

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Abstract

Compositions comprising: (a) from 0.05% to 50% by weight of at least one amorphous poly-alpha-olefin (APAO) having chains with an average maximum end-to-end distance (Rmax) greater than or equal to 1.6*10-6 m; (b) from 35% to 95% by weight of a liquid phase selected from: vegetable oils, synthetic organic esters, linear or branched saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; (c) from 0 to 15% by weight of an anti-sticking agent; the weight percentages being calculated on the basis of the total weight of the composition. The APAOs are obtained by a polymerization process of at least one alpha-olefin monomer, carried out at a temperature not higher than 40°C, by using a catalytic system comprising (i) a bimetallic catalyst containing: titanium in the oxidation state +3 (Ti(III)), and optionally titanium in the oxidation state +4 (Ti(IV)); and at least one metal selected from hafnium in the oxidation state +4 (Hf(IV)) and zirconium in the oxidation state +4 (Zr(IV)); and (ii) at least one organoaluminum co-catalyst. Such compositions have a drag reduction effect higher than that achieved by using amorphous poly-alpha-olefins synthetized by means of conventional Ziegler Natta catalytic systems containing only titanium and aluminum as metals.
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