Paraffin Inhibitor Compositions Using High-Boiling Esters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paraffin inhibitor concentrates (PIC) used in crude oil transportation and storage tend to solidify at low temperatures, causing dispensing and usage issues, and the addition of low-boiling solvents to prevent solidification leads to vapor pressure problems at higher temperatures, necessitating a solution that maintains fluidity from -40°C to 60°C without excessive vapor pressure.
Innovation Solution
A non-polymeric ester compound is added to the PIC composition, which remains liquid at temperatures between -40°C and 60°C, preventing solidification and maintaining stability, comprising ester compounds like glycol ethers, glycol alkanoates, and aromatic esters with boiling points above 100°C, thereby allowing the PIC to flow and be pumped effectively across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low-boiling solvents are added to prevent PIC solidification at low temperatures, then the fluidity of PIC is improved, but the vapor pressure increases excessively at higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent by selecting high-boiling-point solvents (boiling point >100°C, preferably >150°C) instead of low-boiling solvents. This parameter change allows the PIC to maintain fluidity at low temperatures without generating excessive vapor pressure at high temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses conventional, readily available high-boiling solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons (xylene, trimethylbenzene) or aliphatic hydrocarbons (decane, dodecane) that are stable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. These solvents provide the necessary fluidity without the harmful effects of low-boiling solvents, offering a practical and economical solution.
2Reliability
If PIC is used in cold environments, then paraffin inhibition is effective, but the PIC itself solidifies causing dispensing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a high-boiling solvent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the paraffin inhibitor polymer and the cold environment. The solvent maintains the PIC in a liquid state at low temperatures, allowing it to be dispensed effectively while retaining its paraffin inhibition capabilities. The solvent acts as a bridge that enables the PIC to function reliably in cold conditions without solidifying.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the boiling point of solvent is increased to reduce vapor pressure, then safety is improved, but the fluidity at low temperatures may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects solvents with boiling points in a specific range (>100°C, preferably >150°C) to optimize both vapor pressure reduction and fluidity maintenance. By changing the boiling point parameter to this specific range, the PIC achieves both safety (low vapor pressure) and operational effectiveness (good fluidity at low temperatures), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 PIC composition remains fluid and effective across a broad temperature range, preventing paraffin deposition and reducing the need for additional solvents, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of crude oil transportation and storage by maintaining a stable, non-solid form and minimizing vapor pressure issues.
Implementation Method 1
A non-polymeric ester compound is added to the PIC composition, which remains liquid at temperatures between -40°C and 60°C, preventing solidification and maintaining stability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions including up to 20 wt % of a paraffin inhibiting polymer and a non-polymeric ester compound, wherein the compositions flow at a temperature between about 0° C. and −40° C., or between about −20° C. and −40° C. The non-polymeric ester compounds are liquids at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure, and have boiling points over 100° C., in many cases over 200° C. The compositions are useful to inhibit paraffin deposition during petroleum recovery, refining, storing, and transporting under field conditions, wherein the concentrates are pumpable and pourable, do not precipitate, and do not exhibit high pressure buildup inside enclosed containers at temperatures as low as −40° C. and as high as 60° C.