Abstract A method of transporting waxy crudes through conduits at reduced friction and preventing wax separation or precipitation so as to inhibit plugging and flow restriction and improve the pour point properties of the crude by adding to such waxy crudes a small amount of a polymeric material containing aliphatic hydrocarbon side chains of at least 14 carbon atoms. This invention relates to decreasing friction loss in flowing waxy crudes through conduits, generally over great distances but also over short distances such as in well fracturing processes and also to improving the pour point of waxy crudes. More particularly, the invention is directed to crude oil compositions comprising a waxy crude oil and fractions thereof and polymers having aliphatic hydrocarbon side chains with at least 14 carbon atoms, so as to reduce the pour point, prevent wax separation and reduce its friction loss due to flow through pipelines over great distances and short distances.
Composition of claim 1 in which the polymer is obtained by homopolymerization of an alkyl vinyl ether containing an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain or from 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
Composition of claim 2 in which the homopolymer is n-octadecyl vinyl ether.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Composition of claim 1 in which the polymer is obtained by copolymerization of a mono-olefin with a dialkyl ester of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, which ester contains aliphatic hydrocarbon chains or from 14 to 30 carbon atoms in the parts of the molecule derived from the alcohol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Composition of claim 4 in which the copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and di-n-octadecyl maleate.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of transporting waxy crude oil through a pipeline under reduced friction and without causing plugging of the pipeline comprising adding to the waxy crude oil from 0.001 to 2 percent of an oil-soluble polymer containing aliphatic hydrocarbon side chains having the formula CH3-(CH2)n-CH2- where n is an integer of from 14 to 30, said polymer having a molecular weight of from 1,000 to 1,000,000 and being a member selected from the group consisting of (a) homopolymers of alkyl vinyl ethers or copolymers of alkyl vinyl ethers with one another and (b) copolymers of a mono-olefin and a dialkyl ester of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.