Ionic Liquid Paraffin Inhibitors for Cold Flow Improvement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paraffin inhibitors, pour point depressants, and cold flow improvers based on polymeric structures are ineffective at low temperatures, leading to issues such as paraffin deposition and solidification in hydrocarbon fluids, which disrupts oil production and fuel distribution, especially in cold conditions.

Innovation Solution

The use of electronically neutral ionic liquids with specific nitrogen or phosphorus-containing cations and various anions as paraffin inhibitors, pour point depressants, and cold flow improvers, which are designed to remain liquid at low temperatures and inhibit paraffin crystallization, thereby maintaining fluidity in hydrocarbon fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polymeric paraffin inhibitors and pour point depressants are used, then they can prevent paraffin deposition at moderate temperatures, but they solidify at low temperatures (−5° C. to 60° C.) and become ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparaffin inhibition effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature range applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the inhibitor material from conventional polymeric structures to ionic liquid structures. This parameter change enables the inhibitor to remain liquid and effective at temperatures below −5° C., extending the operational temperature range while maintaining paraffin inhibition effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite ionic liquid structures combining specific cations (containing N, P, or heterocyclic rings) with various anions (halides, carboxylates, sulfonates, etc.). This composite approach creates materials with tailored properties that maintain fluidity and effectiveness at low temperatures while providing paraffin inhibition functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If polymeric cold flow improvers are used in fuel oils, then they can improve flow properties at moderate temperatures, but they also solidify at low temperatures and fail to prevent filter blockages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel flow propertiesVSAvoidcold temperature performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from polymeric cold flow improvers to ionic liquid-based cold flow improvers. This enables the fuel additive to remain effective at temperatures well below the conventional operational range, preventing wax crystal formation and filter blockages in cold weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic liquid structure replaces long-chain polymeric molecules with smaller ionic liquid molecules that do not solidify at low temperatures. These smaller molecules can effectively interfere with wax crystal growth without suffering from the solidification limitation of polymers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If production is stopped to remove paraffin precipitates from wells and equipment, then complete paraffin removal is achieved, but time and cost are significantly lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparaffin precipitate accumulationVSAvoidproduction interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by adding ionic liquid paraffin inhibitors to the crude oil before paraffin deposition occurs. The ionic liquid continuously modifies wax crystal formation throughout production, preventing precipitate accumulation in the first place and eliminating the need for production stoppages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic liquid inhibitor provides continuous paraffin modification action throughout the production process. Unlike periodic cleaning operations, the ionic liquid maintains its paraffin-inhibiting function continuously, ensuring uninterrupted production and eliminating downtime for equipment cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 ionic liquids effectively prevent paraffin deposition and maintain fluidity in hydrocarbon fluids across a wide temperature range, ensuring uninterrupted oil production and fuel distribution even in cold climates by altering the crystallization point and improving flow properties.

Implementation Method 1

the crystallization, precipitation and deposition of paraffin, a component of crude oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

Pour point depressants reduce the pour point in crude oils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPour point depression:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining fluidity in hydrocarbon fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidity enhancement:

Data Source

PatentUS12180428B2Methods of using ionic liquids as paraffin inhibitors, pour point depressants and cold flow improvers

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the use of ionic liquids as paraffin inhibitors, pour point depressant or cold flow improvers in the production, treatment and refining of hydrocarbon fluids.