Asphaltene Paraffin Sludge Dissolution Chemical Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The petroleum industry faces challenges with paraffin waxes and asphaltenes precipitating out of crude oil during transportation and storage, leading to clogged pipelines, increased energy costs, and environmental issues due to the need for high temperatures to maintain these components in solution.

Innovation Solution

A chemical composition comprising tributoxyethylphosphate as a plasticizing agent, fatty acids as solubilizing agents, and surfactants to convert crystalline paraffin waxes and asphaltenes into an amorphous form, allowing them to remain dissolved in crude oil at ambient temperatures, thereby preventing agglomeration and separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high temperatures are used to keep paraffin waxes and asphaltenes in solution, then the reliability of crude oil flow is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrude oil flow reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crude oil system by introducing a chemical composition containing surfactants, leveling agents, and plasticizers. This composition modifies the interfacial properties and solubility characteristics of paraffin waxes and asphaltenes, allowing them to remain in solution at ambient temperatures without requiring thermal energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the crude oil matrix and the precipitating paraffin waxes/asphaltenes. The surfactants and plasticizers in this intermediate composition reduce interfacial tension and prevent crystal formation, enabling stable dispersion without external heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If heating is applied to prevent wax separation, then the productivity of crude oil transport is improved, but the loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrude oil transport efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical composition is introduced into the crude oil before transportation to prevent wax separation in advance. The surfactants and plasticizers pre-condition the system by adsorbing to wax crystal surfaces and modifying their growth kinetics, thereby preventing precipitation during transport without requiring continuous heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If crystalline form of paraffin waxes is maintained, then the natural state of the material is preserved, but the solubility in crude oil decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial stabilityVSAvoidsolubility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of paraffin waxes from crystalline to amorphous form through the action of plasticizers and leveling agents. This parameter change increases the solubility and compatibility of waxes with the crude oil matrix while maintaining compositional stability through the stabilizing effect of surfactants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution effectively keeps paraffin waxes and asphaltenes in solution at ambient temperatures, reducing the need for high-energy heating, preventing pipeline clogs, and minimizing environmental impact by allowing for the recovery of valuable hydrocarbons and reducing disposal costs.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (crystalline to amorphous): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

A chemical composition comprising tributoxyethylphosphate as a plasticizing agent, fatty acids as solubilizing agents, and surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8063004B2Chemical composition of matter for the liquefaction and dissolution of asphaltene and paraffin sludges into petroleum crude oils and refined products at ambient temperatures and method of use

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 PARAFLOW ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A chemical composition of matter comprising a wax plasticizing agent (plasticizer) tributoxyethyl phosphate, a mixture of selected long chain fatty acids (preferably C10 to C22), and a mixture of selected low-surface tension surfactants, which when added in solution to crude oil or refined products has been shown to lower both the B.S. & W. (rag layer) and the coefficient of friction of crude oils and refined products. This chemical composition of matter is particularly useful as a wax liquefaction, dispersant, and solubilization agent for asphaltene and paraffins in crude oil and refined products. The reduction in the co-efficient of friction resulting from the addition of this product to crude oil will allow crude oil to pump through pipelines with a minimum amount of resistance due to friction (drag).