A diversity
of solution has been used and utilized to minimize
cold flow properties problems caused by paraffins crystallization
during production and/or transportation of waxy crude oils. Herein,
a novel series of nanohybrids of poly(methyl methacrylate)-graphene
oxide (PMMA-GO) as pour point depressants was prepared successfully
by dispersing the inorganic nanosheets of GO on the organic, PMMA,
matrix via in situ free radical polymerization. The prepared PMMA-GO
nanohybrids were characterized by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, XRD,
HRTEM, SEM, and GPC chromatography. The thermal stability of PMMA-GO
nanohybrids was also studied by both TGA and DSC. The results showed
that the pour point and the apparent viscosity of waxy crude oil were
reduced significantly upon addition of PMMA-GO nanohybrid, and the
long-term stability of the PMMA-GO nanohybrid was superior to that
of a conventional PMMA material. The significant effect of this PMMA-GO
nanohybrid as pour point depressant and flow improver on waxy crude
oil problem is carrying new technology to minimization of the permeability
during the charge and transportation process. The effect of oil soluble
PMMA-GO nanohybrid on the pour point/rheological properties is discussed,
and a beneficiation mechanism is suggested.
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