Polymeric Wax Inhibitors and Pour Point Depressants for Waxy Crude Oils: A Critical Review

Yang, Fei; Zhao, Yu-Guo; Sjöblom, Johan; Li, Chuanxian; Paso, Kristofer

doi:10.1080/01932691.2014.901917

Cited by 219 publications

(206 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Additive C and Additive D also reduce cloud point as dosage increases, but the pour point shows maximum reduction around 100 ppm. Previous work have proposed that the differences in dosage effectiveness of the additives to reduce cloud point and pour point probably result from the predominant action mechanism of the active polymers as paraffin solubilizers, wax crystal modifiers, and interfacially-active agents [18,19]. The correlation between pour point reduction and cloud point reduction can be more easily interpreted from Figure 6.…”

Section: Cloud Point and Pour Point Of Model Waxy Oilsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

et al. 2015

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The performance of paraffin inhibitors from several chemical families was evaluated using two model waxy oils in bench-top tests such as cloud point and pour point, and in small-scale deposition rigs using a cold finger and a flow loop. In addition, rheological characterization of the inhibited systems was conducted to provide additional insights into the function of the paraffin inhibitors. Similarities and differences in the response of the model oils to the paraffin inhibitors are discussed along with the correlations between the results from bench-top tests and the observed wax deposit inhibition performance.The model waxy-oils were formulated using blends of commercially available waxes dissolved in a paraffinic solvent or a mixture of paraffinic and aromatic solvents. The wax blends were chosen to represent a broad range of carbon number distributions including one highly polydisperse distribution with an extended distribution of high carbon number waxes exceeding C50. Candidate paraffin inhibitors were initially evaluated for their impact on cloud point and pour point in these model oils. Subsequent testing of the inhibited systems included rheological characterization over a range of temperatures, cold finger deposition tests and flow loop deposition tests in a pipe-in-pipe geometry. All results are compared to the baseline results for the uninhibited model waxy oils.While changes in cloud point and pour point gave a good indication that a particular paraffin inhibitor was impacting the wax crystallization process, this did not guarantee a significant reduction in deposits of the inhibited system. Moreover, the experimental conditions used in the small-scale deposition tests also affected the observed performance of paraffin inhibitors, indicating that temperature gradients (i.e., oil temperature and coolant temperature) must be optimized to achieve the highest discriminating power. This study highlights the degree of correlation and the areas of departure between bench-top test results and the main objectives of deposit reduction, and yield stress reduction in flowing systems. It also discusses the advantages and risks of using only the bench-top test results for the selection of paraffin inhibitors.

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Section: Cloud Point and Pour Point Of Model Waxy Oilsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

et al. 2015

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“…Mole % MW C 1 0.005 C 2 0.132 C 3 2.124 C 4 1.002 C 5 3.008 C 6 3.256 C 7 2.958 93.8 C 8 8.236 105.0 C 9 13.247 121.0 C 10 10 structure of wax crystals induced by pour-point-depressant beneficiation [19]. Castro studied terpolymers as flow improvers for Mexican crude oils [20].…”

Section: Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Naiya et al [9] reported the effect of anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate), cationic surfactant (hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) and neutral surfactant (polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether). Yang reviewed the polymeric wax inhibitors and pour point depressants for waxy crude oils [10]. Wei reviewed recent advances on mitigating wax problem using polymeric wax crystal modifier [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of amino [60] fullerene derivatives on pour point and rheological properties of waxy crude oil

Behbahani¹,

Beigi²,

Taheri³

et al. 2015

Journal of Molecular Liquids

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“…These inhibitors are usually polymeric materials that interfere with the wax crystallization process. 3,4 Typically these polymers are dissolved in high boiling organic solvents so they can be pumped and injected downhole or into transport pipelines. However, several challenges exist with these types of products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Active Aqueous-Based Pour Point Depressants and Wax Inhibitors

Potisek

Capaldo

Dermody

et al. 2015

Day 2 Tue, April 14, 2015

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Paraffins are linear and branched aliphatic molecules (ϾC18) present within crude oil. As crude oil cools upon exiting a well, the paraffins can gel or precipitate and ultimately cause pipelines to plug. The result is costly downtime in production as the pipelines are cleaned or repaired. One solution to address this challenge is chemical prevention, namely the use of wax inhibitors and pour point depressants.Traditionally wax inhibitors and pour point depressants are organic solvent-based materials that contain a low concentration of active inhibitor (approximately 5% active in a solvent such as toluene). In this work, newly developed high concentration (Ͼ30% active) aqueous-based wax inhibitors and pour point depressants will be discussed.These formulations are stable dispersions of active copolymers in water and can be freeze-protected to Ϫ40°C, enabling their use in arctic environments. There is also an advantage of reduced logistics costs, decreased storage space and the absence of flammable solvents. Additionally, the replacement of organic solvent with water makes these materials more environmentally friendly and less expensive to dilute during application. The physical properties and stability of these materials throughout a broad temperature range from Ϫ40°C to 125°C will be discussed. The performance of these innovative materials on various crude oils will also be presented. Up to a 30°C reduction in the pour point temperature was observed. This unique combination of properties and significant reduction in pour point temperatures is a novel advancement in flow assurance technology.

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Polymeric Wax Inhibitors and Pour Point Depressants for Waxy Crude Oils: A Critical Review

Cited by 219 publications

References 83 publications

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

The effect of amino [60] fullerene derivatives on pour point and rheological properties of waxy crude oil

High Active Aqueous-Based Pour Point Depressants and Wax Inhibitors

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