Aqueous Dispersions of Polymeric Oil Additives for Cold Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paraffin inhibitors for mineral oils face challenges in ease of handling at low temperatures, high viscosity, and stability, particularly requiring high pressures for flow and exhibiting poor long-term stability, which affects their effectiveness as cold flow improvers.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous dispersions containing oil-soluble polymers with a dispersant comprising a salt of an ethercarboxylic acid and a nonionic surfactant, which are stable and free-flowing at temperatures below -20°C, maintaining low viscosity and yield point, and retaining performance over several weeks to months.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If emulsion copolymers with highly polar comonomer units are used to improve emulsification properties, then ease of handling is improved, but efficacy is reduced due to alteration in molecular weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using predominantly non-polar comonomers (90-99.9 mol%) with only small amounts of polar comonomers (0.1-10 mol%), thereby maintaining the molecular weight distribution and efficacy of the polymer while still achieving adequate emulsification properties through the minimal polar content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only small amounts of polar comonomers (0.1-10 mol%) rather than highly polar comonomer units, which is sufficient to provide emulsification properties without significantly altering the molecular weight distribution and compromising efficacy
2Reliability
If concentrated solutions of polymeric paraffin inhibitors in organic solvents are used, then efficacy is improved, but handling becomes difficult due to high viscosity and pour points above ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter by producing and using aqueous dispersions instead of concentrated organic solutions, thereby lowering the pour point below ambient temperatures and reducing viscosity to improve handling while maintaining efficacy through controlled polymer concentration (1-50% by weight)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium to disperse the polymeric paraffin inhibitor, replacing the problematic organic solvent system and enabling the formulation to be handled as a free-flowing aqueous dispersion at ambient and low temperatures
3Ease of operation
If highly diluted polymeric paraffin inhibitors are used to improve handling, then ease of handling is improved, but efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter by formulating aqueous dispersions with polymer content of 1-50% by weight, which provides a balance between handling ease and efficacy, avoiding both the high viscosity of concentrated solutions and the reduced effectiveness of highly diluted formulations
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 proposed solution provides superior cold flow properties and paraffin inhibition, ensuring effective metering and handling of mineral oils at low temperatures with improved stability and efficacy comparable to organic solvent-based formulations.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous dispersions containing oil-soluble polymers with a dispersant comprising a salt of an ethercarboxylic acid and a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 2
dispersant comprising a salt of an ethercarboxylic acid and a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
nucleation of paraffin crystals and/or cocrystallization with the paraffins that precipitate out on cooling
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides dispersions comprisingI) at least one oil-soluble polymer effective as a cold flow improver for mineral oils,II) at least one organic, water-immiscible solvent,III) a dispersant comprising, based on the total amount of dispersant,a) 10-90% by weight of a salt of an ethercarboxylic acid andb) 90-10% by weight of a nonionic surfactant,IV) water andV) at least one organic, water-miscible solvent.