Sugar-Based Multi-Ester Asphaltene Dispersant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asphaltene dispersants for crude oil are not environmentally friendly and do not effectively reduce asphaltene precipitation, deposition, or the size of precipitates, leading to operational issues and equipment damage in the oil industry.
Innovation Solution
A method using an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar with at least 4 hydroxyl groups, where multiple hydroxyl groups are reacted with the fatty acid to form a multi-ester asphaltene dispersing agent, which is added to hydrocarbons to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional asphaltene dispersants (e.g., DDBSA) are used, then asphaltene precipitation is reduced, but environmental concerns arise and effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of dispersants by using esters with different chain lengths (C12-C24) and sugar derivatives (sucrose, glucose, fructose) to achieve both environmental compatibility and effective asphaltene precipitation reduction. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing molecular structure parameters rather than using conventional harmful chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite dispersant systems combining ester molecules with specific hydrocarbon chains and sugar-derived hydroxyl groups. These composite molecular structures provide both environmental friendliness and enhanced effectiveness in preventing asphaltene precipitation, simultaneously addressing both concerns.
2Reliability
If dispersing agents are added to reduce asphaltene precipitation, then precipitation is reduced, but the size of precipitates is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes molecular parameters of dispersants including hydrocarbon chain length (C12-C24) and hydroxyl group configuration to control precipitate morphology. By adjusting these chemical parameters, the invention achieves both precipitation reduction and minimal precipitate size, resolving the contradiction between prevention effectiveness and particle size control.
3Ease of repair
If solvents are used to remove asphaltene deposits, then deposits are removed, but health, safety, and environmental concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the approach from using harmful solvents for deposit removal to using environmentally benign ester dispersants that prevent deposit formation in the first place. The ester molecules with specific structures provide both prevention and safe removal capabilities, transforming a harmful process into a beneficial one.
Solution Approach 2:
The ester dispersants act as intermediary substances that mediate between asphaltene molecules and the hydrocarbon medium, preventing aggregation and deposit formation without requiring harmful solvents. These intermediaries provide both prevention and safe cleaning functionality.
4Reliability
If precipitates form before adding dispersing agent, then deposition occurs, but effectiveness of subsequent solvent removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent emphasizes preliminary addition of ester dispersants to hydrocarbons before asphaltene precipitation occurs. This preliminary action maintains asphaltenes in a dispersed state, preventing deposit formation and ensuring that subsequent processing remains efficient without requiring aggressive solvent treatments.
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 multi-ester asphaltene dispersing agent significantly reduces asphaltene precipitation and deposition, improving the efficiency of hydrocarbon processing and reducing the need for solvents, while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
Precipitating out of asphaltenes can be reduced by adding a dispersing agent to the oil
Implementation Method 2
an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar with at least 4 hydroxyl groups, where multiple hydroxyl groups are reacted with the fatty acid to form a multi-ester asphaltene dispersing agent
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dispersing asphaltenes to inhibit asphaltenes precipitation and/or deposition in a hydrocarbon is disclosed. An asphaltene dispersing agent is added to the hydrocarbon. The asphaltene dispersing agent is an ester of a mono-carboxylic fatty acid and a sugar. The sugar has at least 4 hydroxyl groups and more than one of the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are reacted with the mono-carboxylic fatty acid to form the ester. A composition comprising the asphaltene dispersing agent is also disclosed.