Viscosity Modifying Composition for Heavy Crude Oil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy and extra-heavy crude oils are difficult to extract and transport due to high viscosity, and existing additives and solvents either fail to provide durable viscosity reduction or pose health and environmental risks.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a high molecular weight mineral solvent, a surfactant product, and a vegetable-based lubricant, which forms a homogeneous mixture to reduce viscosity, enhance demulsibility, and improve lubricity, while being non-corrosive and free of aromatic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If superheated steam injection is used to reduce viscosity, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but costs and environmental impacts increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reductionVSAvoidenvironmental impacts and costs

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical system of steam injection with a chemical system using organic surfactants and solvents. The composition chemically interacts with the crude oil to reduce viscosity through micelle formation and interfacial tension reduction, eliminating the need for high-temperature thermal processing and its associated environmental harms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crude oil by introducing specific organic compounds (surfactants and solvents) that alter the oil's molecular structure and intermolecular forces. This chemical parameter change achieves viscosity reduction without the need for temperature parameter changes required by steam injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If existing additives and solvents are used to reduce viscosity, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but durable properties are not acquired and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reductionVSAvoiddurable properties

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite formulation containing multiple components: organic surfactants (such as alkyl polyglucosides), solvents (such as terpenes), and co-surfactants. This composite material works synergistically to provide both immediate viscosity reduction and durable flow improvement properties that persist throughout the oil's lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable, environmentally friendly organic compounds that are non-toxic and readily break down. These replace persistent, harmful conventional additives with short-living, benign substances that provide effective viscosity reduction without long-term environmental contamination or health risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If existing additives and solvents are used to reduce viscosity, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but health and environmental risks increase due to volatile aromatic compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reductionVSAvoidhealth and environmental risks

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts potentially harmful volatile organic compounds into beneficial, non-toxic substances. Specifically, it uses naturally derived surfactants and solvents (such as alkyl polyglucosides from renewable resources and terpenes from citrus peels) that replace harmful aromatic hydrocarbons while maintaining or enhancing viscosity reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a chemically inert and environmentally safe atmosphere by using compounds with low volatility and high biodegradability. The formulation avoids reactive, toxic aromatic compounds in favor of stable, non-toxic organic substances that do not pose health risks during handling, storage, or application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 composition significantly reduces viscosity by 50-85%, improves API grade, enhances demulsibility, and increases oil production, with permanent effects and reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

a vegetable based lubricant, wherein the composition of the present invention is substantially organic (100% organic), non-corrosive, has low volatility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS11492533B2Viscosity modifying, demulsifier and flow improver composition, its manufacturing process, its uses and method for increasing production in heavy and extra-heavy crude oil wells

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 FMT SERVICOS IND E COMERCIO LTDA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a viscosity modifying, demulsifier and flow improver composition for use in (crude) petroleum, its method of manufacture, and its uses, among them, to improve the flowability of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils, to increase the production of oil in the well and to improve the quality of the oil permanently produced from the addition of a formulated product containing conditioned organic surfactants for each type of crude oil.