Drag Reducing Copolymers for Cold Hydrocarbon Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drag reducing polymers are ineffective in colder temperatures and do not perform well in hydrocarbon fluids due to lower dissolution rates, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in pipeline transportation of hydrocarbons over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A drag reducing composition comprising copolymers formed from methacrylate monomers and comonomers with polymerizable vinyl groups having no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon, which are produced through emulsion or suspension polymerization, is introduced into hydrocarbon fluids to reduce pressure drop and enhance flow rates at lower temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional high molecular weight polymers are used as drag reducers, then drag reduction is achieved in hydrocarbon liquids, but performance deteriorates at lower temperatures due to reduced dissolution rates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter from ultra-high (conventional) to high but controlled, and modifies the chemical structure by incorporating specific comonomers with limited pendant substituents. This parameter optimization enables adequate dissolution rates at lower temperatures while maintaining effective drag reduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses copolymer composition combining methacrylate monomer residues with comonomer residues that have no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon. This composite structure integrates the benefits of both monomer types to achieve temperature-independent performance.
2Productivity
If higher flow rates are desired through the pipeline, then more pressure must be applied, but design limitations on pipelines limit the amount of pressure that can be employed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of turbulent eddies causing pressure drop into a beneficial effect by using polymers that suppress eddy growth. The turbulent flow regime is maintained for high productivity, but the polymers modify the turbulence to reduce its harmful pressure drop effects, enabling higher flow rates within existing pressure limits.
3Loss of energy
If ultra-high molecular weight polymers are used to achieve effective drag reduction, then molecular weight exceeds five million, but dissolution rates decrease at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight parameter to a controlled high range rather than ultra-high, and modifies chemical structure parameters by selecting comonomers with no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon. These parameter changes create a balance where dissolution rate at lower temperatures is sufficient while drag reduction efficiency is maintained.
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 composition achieves improved dissolution rates and significant drag reduction in hydrocarbon fluids at temperatures of 20°C or less, allowing for higher flow rates at constant pumping pressure and reducing operational costs by minimizing pressure drops in pipeline transport.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of said polymer particles comprise copolymers containing the residues of at least one methacrylate monomer and the residues of at least one comonomer
Implementation Method 2
When the flow of fluid in a pipeline is turbulent, high molecular weight polymeric drag reducers can be employed to enhance the flow. A drag reducer is a composition capable of substantially reducing friction loss associated with the turbulent flow of fluid through a pipeline.
Data Source
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AI summary
Drag reducing compositions comprising polymer particles, where the polymer particles include copolymers comprising the residues of at least one methacrylate monomer and at least one comonomer having a polymerizable vinyl group, where the comonomer has no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon. The drag reducing compositions can have improved dissolution rates in hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.