2 / 7
Polymer Sciences
ISSN: 2471-9935
June 04-05, 2018
London, UK
Polymer Congress 2018
Page 18
4
th
Edition of International Conference on
Polymer Science and
Technology
M
aintaining flow in the production and transportation of
crude oil is a critical challenge in both on-shore and
off-shore environments. Problems such as wax deposition
and flow restriction from gelling can occur with changes
in temperature and pressure during production, as well
as changes in crude oil composition when oil streams are
combined. Traditionally, solvent, thermal and mechanical
methods have been used as wax remediation treatments.
However, chemical treatments are now increasingly
employed to mitigate flow assurance problems caused by the
naturally occurring paraffins in crude oil. Due to the unique
composition of every crude oil, there is no single product
capable of treating all flow assurance problems. An acrylic
comb polymer has been developed as a dual Pour Point
Depressant (PPD) and Wax Inhibitor (WI). A PPD lowers the
temperature at which wax crystals form a network which gels
and solidifies the oil and a WI reduces the amount of wax
which is deposited on pipe walls and other surfaces. This
polymer has a strong PPD and/or WI effect in several crude
oils yet its mode of action is not fully determined. Cross
Polarized Microscopy (CPM) was used to observe the effect
of the polymer on wax crystal morphology in several crude oils
and to shed light on the mechanism of Pour Point Depression
and Wax Inhibition. Early results suggest that the polymer
modifies the structure of the wax crystals, making them less
angular and less dispersed throughout the oil. It is possible
that this reduces the ability of the wax crystals to form a
network and gel the oil, or to deposit on metal surfaces. This
material also displays a range of other properties and results
which makes it an attractive solution to wax challenges in
cold flow applications.
Recent Publications
1. Davies C et al. (2013) The development and field
application of new surfactant chemistries for
applications to heavy oils. Society of Petroleum
Engineers. Pages:10.
Biography
Jessica Gould gained her PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry under
the supervision of Professor Martin Schröder at The University of Not-
tingham. She currently works as a Lead Research Scientist at Croda
Europe Ltd specializing in the development of acrylic polymers for a
wide range of applications from Personal Care to Battery Additives.
Since joining Croda in 2013 she has developed a wide range of exper-
tise in synthesis of new products focusing on tailored dispersants and
rheology modifiers.
jessica.gould@croda.comrThe effect of an acrylic polymer wax control
additive as a cold flow solution for wax
challenges
Jessica Gould
Croda Europe Ltd, UK
Jessica Gould, Polym Sci 2018, Volume 4
DOI: 10.4172/2471-9935-C2-010
Figure 1:
A visual comparison of thewax crystals in an Asian crude oil (with andwith-
out polymer). Details of crude oil: Pour Point=39°C, API=33°, Wax AppearanceTem-
perature=54°C.Themost common chain lengths in thewax profile are C20 to C35.