Additive Composition for Crude Oil Viscosity and Paraffin Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pour point depressant additives and dispersants fail to effectively cumulate a positive effect on the rheology of crude oil, paraffin deposits, and aggregation, leading to increased viscosity and operational challenges in oil transport and production.
Innovation Solution
A composition of additives comprising ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or polymers derived from alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers, combined with modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resins, which are used to reduce the viscosity of liquid petroleum products and limit paraffin aggregation and deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pour point depressant additives and dispersants are used, then the crude oil can be treated for paraffin prevention, but the additives fail to effectively cumulate positive effects on rheology, paraffin deposits, and aggregation, leading to increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two distinct additive types (pour point depressant and dispersant) into a single composite additive formulation. This composite approach allows the additive to simultaneously address multiple issues: it modifies paraffin crystal morphology to prevent aggregation while maintaining crude oil rheology, thereby reducing viscosity without sacrificing paraffin prevention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of separate pour point depressant and dispersant additives into one unified additive system. This combination enables cumulative positive effects on multiple parameters including rheology modification, paraffin deposit prevention, and aggregation control, which individual additives cannot achieve alone
2Speed
If temperature is reduced during transport, then the crude oil can be moved, but paraffins crystallise forming house of cards structures that block pipes and increase viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The additive is introduced into the crude oil before transport to preemptively prevent paraffin crystallisation issues. It modifies the crystallisation process itself, controlling nucleation and crystal growth to form dispersed, non-aggregating structures that cannot block pipes, thereby preventing the harmful effects before they occur during temperature reduction and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The additive changes the physical parameters of paraffin crystals during crystallisation, transforming them from large platelet structures that aggregate and block flow into fine, dispersed crystals that remain suspended in the crude oil. This parameter change in crystal morphology and distribution allows maintenance of fluidity and flow rate even at reduced temperatures
3Stability of the object's composition
If paraffin crystals are allowed to form naturally, then the crude oil can crystallise, but the platelet-shaped crystals form aggregating structures that enclose crude petroleum and stop flow
Solution Approach 1:
The additive selectively modifies the local structure and properties of paraffin crystals, creating a different crystal morphology (fine dispersed structures instead of large platelets) while maintaining the overall crystallisation process. This local structural modification prevents aggregation and enclosure of crude oil, thereby maintaining productivity and flow rate
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additive composition significantly lowers the pour point and viscosity of crude petroleum, effectively limits paraffin aggregation and deposition, and improves the flow characteristics of liquid petroleum products, thereby reducing operational challenges and costs.
Implementation Method 1
delaying paraffin crystallisation, in a liquid petroleum product
Implementation Method 2
reduce the viscosity of a liquid petroleum product
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composition of additives comprising: at least one first compound selected from: (i) copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate having a molar mass Mn included in the range ranging from 10,000 to 60,000 g·mol−1, optionally grafted by at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate group, the alkyl chain of which is saturated and contains from 12 to 30 carbon atoms; and (ii) polymers comprising at least 90 mol % of units derived from alkyl. (meth)acrylate monomer, the alkyl chain of which is saturated and contains from 18 to 22 carbon atoms; and at least one second compound selected from the modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resins. The invention also relates to the use of this composition of additives for lowering the viscosity of a liquid petroleum product such as a crude oil and for reducing the deposition of paraffins.