Stable EVA Dispersion for Pour Point Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ethylene vinyl acetate-based polymer dispersions for pour point depression in crude oils suffer from instability, leading to phase separation and equipment clogging, and require dilution in solvents, making them difficult to handle and transport effectively.
Innovation Solution
A stable EVA-based dispersion is developed by grafting alkyl (meth)acrylates and hydroxy esters onto an ethylene-based copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 150,000 g/mol, comprising 60-70% ethylene and 30-40% vinyl acetate, combined with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a carrier medium, resulting in droplets with a Dv50 value below 8 μm for improved stability and pour point depressant performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EVA-based polymers are used as pour point depressants, then pour point depression performance is improved, but handling difficulty increases due to the need for dilution in solvents at very low concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter from very low (5-15%) to higher (20-60% solids content), transforming the product from requiring solvent dilution to being usable as a concentrated dispersion. This resolves the contradiction by improving handling ease while maintaining pour point depression performance through the stable dispersion formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stable dispersion system as an intermediary form between solid EVA polymer and solvent-diluted solution. The dispersion uses specific emulsifiers and stabilizers to maintain homogeneity at high solids content, eliminating the need for further dilution while preserving the polymer's effectiveness as a pour point depressant.
2Ease of operation
If EVA-based dispersions are prepared to increase active polymer concentration and improve handling, then handling ease is improved, but stability over time deteriorates leading to phase separation and equipment clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific emulsifiers and stabilizers as intermediary substances to maintain dispersion stability at high solids content. These intermediaries prevent phase separation and polymer aggregation, enabling the dispersion to remain stable during storage and transport while maintaining high active polymer concentration for improved handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite dispersion system combining EVA polymer, carrier oil, emulsifiers, and stabilizers in specific ratios. This composite formulation achieves both high solids content (20-60%) for improved handling and long-term stability by preventing phase separation through the synergistic interaction of its components.
3Productivity
If dispersions are made more concentrated to reduce transportation costs, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining uniform composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses emulsifiers and stabilizers as intermediary agents to maintain uniform composition distribution in the concentrated dispersion. These intermediaries ensure that the high solids content (20-60%) does not lead to phase separation or aggregation, preserving manufacturing precision while enabling reduced transportation volumes through higher concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: solids content (20-60%), emulsifier concentration, stabilizer concentration, and polymer molecular weight distribution. This multi-parameter optimization enables the dispersion to maintain uniform composition at high concentrations, achieving both improved productivity and manufacturing precision.
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 solution provides a highly stable EVA dispersion with enhanced pour point depressant performance, reducing wax deposition and viscosity, and maintaining stability over long periods, even under varying temperature conditions, thus addressing the handling and transportation challenges of previous dispersions.
Implementation Method 1
During extraction, transportation and further processing of the oil, however, the temperature decreases, leading to crystallization of the paraffins.
Implementation Method 2
This results in an increased viscosity of the crude oil and paraffin deposition on pipelines
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to new ethylene vinyl acetate-based polymer dispersions with increased stability compared to state-of-the-art and to a preparation process thereof. The invention also relates to a method for inhibiting wax deposition and reducing the pour point, viscosity and yield stress of crude oils by treating the crude oils with these stable ethylene vinyl acetate-based polymer dispersions.