Drag Reducing Polymer Composition Using Cryogenic Grinding and Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drag reducing compositions for hydrocarbons in pipelines are susceptible to degradation by shear, require special handling and storage, and can cause foaming issues, limiting their effectiveness and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A drag reducing composition comprising high molecular weight polyolefin polymers, a carrier or suspending medium, and a dispersion agent, which are stable, low-foaming, and easy to handle, using cryogenic grinding to produce finely divided particles and incorporating a coating agent to prevent agglomeration, allowing for easy injection into pipelines without anti-foam agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high molecular weight polyolefin polymers are used to reduce drag in hydrocarbon flows, then drag reduction effectiveness is improved, but the polymers are susceptible to degradation by shear in turbulent flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrag reduction effectivenessVSAvoidpolymer stability against shear degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical state and surface properties of the polymer particles through cryogenic grinding and coating, changing them from bulk solid form to finely divided particles with controlled surface characteristics that resist agglomeration and shear degradation while maintaining drag reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If drag reducing compositions are stored at high temperatures greater than 125°F, then storage and transportation are facilitated, but the polymer particles agglomerate creating injection problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and transportation convenienceVSAvoidthermal stability against agglomeration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coating agent is applied to the polymer particles in advance to create a protective barrier that prevents agglomeration before thermal stress occurs, allowing the composition to withstand high temperature storage and transportation without particle aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The coating agent serves as an intermediary substance between the polymer particles and the high temperature environment, providing thermal protection and preventing direct particle-to-particle contact that would cause agglomeration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If agitation is used to redisperse settled polymer particles, then the composition can be reused, but excessive foaming occurs necessitating foam-suppressing agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredispersal capabilityVSAvoidfoaming

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating agent that prevents agglomeration also suppresses foaming, converting a potential harm (foam generation during agitation) into a beneficial property (low-foaming characteristic) that eliminates the need for separate foam-suppressing agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Ease of operation

If the drag reducing composition is formulated for easy transport and handling without special equipment, then injection at remote locations is facilitated, but the polymer must be in a form that dissolves rapidly in the hydrocarbon stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport and handling easeVSAvoiddissolution rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer is divided into finely divided particles through cryogenic grinding, creating small discrete segments that can be easily transported and handled while providing large total surface area for rapid dissolution when injected into the hydrocarbon stream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces drag in hydrocarbon flows, maintaining stability and preventing foaming, thus reducing transportation and handling costs and enabling efficient pipeline injection without special equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a drag reducing composition comprising a polyolefin, drag-reducing polymer, a carrier or suspending medium and a dispersion agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

using cryogenic grinding to produce finely divided particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCryogenic grinding: Cryogenics

Implementation Method 3

incorporating a coating agent to prevent agglomeration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentUS9416331B2Drag reducing compositions and methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 FLOWCHEM LLC

AI summary

A drag reducing composition and method of use wherein the drag reducing composition comprises a polyolefin, drag reducing polymer, a carrier or suspending medium, and a polycarboxylate dispersion agent.