Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance of New Polymeric Nonionic Surfactants as Flow Improvers and Wax Dispersants for Waxy Crude Oil

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Nasr City, Cairo, 11727, Egypt

Abstract

One of the major issues in waxy crude oil (WCO) production is wax deposition, which causes significant losses to the oil sector. New three polymeric nonionic surfactants (PNSs) based on 2-phenylethan-1-amine (I1, I2 & I3) were designed and synthesized in merely two simple processes (ethoxylation and esterification) to inhibit wax crystal development and enhance the cold flowability. To verify the chemical composition of the synthesized PNSs, spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, MS & NMR) were conducted, and to comprehend their attitude at the interface, interfacial tension (IFT) was investigated. The influence of a commercial additive, PNSs, and their blends on the solid point and the rheological properties of WCO were researched. The findings revealed that I3 and blend I7 delivered the highest depression in the solid point (ΔSP) at the dosage of 1000 ppm and the blend I7 performed better rheological properties than I3 in terms of enhancing oil fluidity. In comparison to a commercial additive, the synthesized PNS exhibited better solid point depression for crude oil. Also, polarizing optical microscopy was employed to explore the interaction mechanism of these PNSs with wax crystals of WCO.

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 August 2022
  • Revise Date: 05 September 2022
  • Accept Date: 06 September 2022

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