Waxy gels with asphaltenes 2 - Reduction of network strength with polymer additives

Justin P. Jahnke, Jack F. Tinsley, Robert K. Prud'homme, Heather D. Dettman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Deposits in crude oil transport lines by heavy organic components, namely waxes and asphaltenes, pose a significant industrial challenge. An 8 wt % wax solution with 0.1 wt % asphaltenes was evaluated with various polymer additives to study the ability of the polymers to break down the strength of the waxy gel. The presence of crystalline domains in the polymers probed interactions with crystalline wax, while presence of polar groups sought beneficial interactions with the asphaltenes. Polar domains had no significant effect upon polymer efficacy whereas the crystalline domains were essential to disrupt the strength of the gel. The best polymer tested was MAC Et22, a maleic anhydride co-polymer with C22 alkyl appendages. This polymer reduced yield stresses up to 2000-fold. Other crystalline polymers induced 10 to 100-fold reductions in yield stress. In the presence of asphaltenes, the polymers had negligible effect on precipitation temperature (up to 0.3°C change) and only small effects on gelation temperature (up to 4°C). This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting (Salt Lake, UT 11/4-9/2007).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2007 AIChE Annual Meeting
StatePublished - 2007
Event2007 AIChE Annual Meeting - Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Duration: Nov 4 2007Nov 9 2007

Publication series

Name2007 AIChE Annual Meeting

Other

Other2007 AIChE Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySalt Lake City, UT
Period11/4/0711/9/07

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Bioengineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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