Synthesis of polymeric pour point depressants for Nada crude oil (Gujarat, India) and its impact on oil rheology

Five flow improvers have been synthesized to study rheological properties of Nada crude oil (Gujarat, India). Anhydride copolymers were prepared making use of the copolymerization of acrylates of different alkyls with maleic anhydride and the Poly (n-alkyl acrylates-co-N-hexadecylmaleimide) were prepared by the reaction of copolymer with hexadecylamine. The additives were purified and characterized by FTIR, GPC. The prepared polymeric additives shows dual function both as wax dispersants and flow improvers and all of them acts as good pour point depressants. Yield stress and the viscosity of the crude oil at different temperatures and concentrations of additives were evaluated by zero friction advanced rheometer AR-500 of TA instrument. Comparison of morphologies and structures of wax crystals or aggregates in waxy crude oils beneficiated with and without a PPD was also done by micro photographic studies which show the modification in wax crystal morphology due to additives.