High-Active Polymer DRA Composition Without Cryogenic Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drag reducing agents (DRAs) for hydrocarbon fluids in pipelines face issues such as reduced polymer content due to solvent use, aggregation from cryogenic grinding, and inefficient injection of finely dispersed powders, leading to increased energy consumption and ineffective drag reduction.
Innovation Solution
The development of drag reducing agents (DRAs) comprising large polymer particles (1.5 mm to 5 cm) with a high active base content, prepared without cryogenic grinding, and mixed with minimal anti-agglomerating agents to maintain polymer structure and prevent clumping, facilitating easy injection and dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional drag reducing agents (polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose) are used, then drag reduction effect is achieved, but treatment cost increases and sludge production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using quaternized chitosan instead of conventional polymers, achieving drag reduction without the harmful side effects of sludge production and high treatment costs associated with polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylamide, and carboxymethyl cellulose
2Object-affected harmful factors
If quaternized chitosan is used as drag reducing agent, then drag reduction effect is maintained, but bacterial growth promotion may occur due to amine group content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing specific functional groups (quaternary ammonium groups) at specific positions on the chitosan molecule, creating regions with antibacterial properties while maintaining overall drag reduction functionality. The degree of quaternization is controlled to balance drag reduction and antibacterial effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining chitosan with quaternary ammonium compounds, achieving a material that simultaneously provides drag reduction and antibacterial properties. This composite approach allows the polymer to function as both a drag reducing agent and an antibacterial agent
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high molecular weight polymer is used for drag reduction, then drag reduction effect improves, but water solubility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by introducing quaternary ammonium groups and controlling the degree of quaternization, which improves water solubility while maintaining high molecular weight for effective drag reduction. The chemical modification allows the polymer to remain soluble at practical concentrations
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 ensures effective hydrodynamic drag reduction with minimal energy consumption and reduced aggregation, maintaining polymer integrity and requiring less agent volume for equivalent performance.
Implementation Method 1
Drag reducing agents which have been conventionally used include polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose and the like, but all of these agents have problems in that they promote bacterial growth, increase treatment cost, and increase sludge production
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to agents reducing the hydrodynamic drag of a turbulent flow of petroleum products in the process of transportation in pipelines. The technical result of the solution involves the preservation of the polymer structure so that the polymer is more effective in reducing the hydrodynamic drag, grinding costs in the production of the DRA, the aggregation of the DRA while reducing the amount of the separating agent and the need to inject a smaller amount of the reagent to reduce the hydrodynamic drag. The specified technical result is produced due to the development of a reagent for reducing the hydrodynamic drag of hydrocarbon liquids in pipelines, which consists of the first and the second component, in which case the first component comprises the particles of polyalphaolefin or polyacrylate, the second component is an anti-agglomerating agent.