Abstract

Use of pour point depressants/flow improvers is an effective strategy for alleviation of flow problems associated with wax formation in paraffinic crude oil. Biobased oilfield chemicals derived from renewables are appealing as low-cost, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional pour point depressants. Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) extracted from Anacardium occidentale shells was modified by esterification with glycerol. The CNSL derivatives were evaluated as pour point depressants and low-temperature flow improver for waxy crude oil. Pour point and viscosity of doped crude oil were reduced by a maximum of 15 °C and 86%, respectively. Cross-polarized micrographs of doped oil were analyzed with Image J software and showed decrease in wax crystal aspect ratio and boundary fractal dimension indicating modifications to wax morphology and microstructure.

摘要

使用降凝剂/流动改进剂是缓解与石蜡油中蜡形成有关的流动问题的有效策略。源自可再生能源的生物基油田化学品作为低成本，环保的替代品，已成为传统降凝剂的吸引力之选。从西洋参中提取的腰果壳液（CNSL）通过用甘油酯化修饰壳。评价了CNSL衍生物作为蜡质原油的降凝剂和低温流动改进剂。掺杂原油的倾点和粘度分别最多降低了15°C和86％。用Image J软件分析了掺杂油的交叉极化显微照片，结果表明蜡晶体的长径比和边界分形维数减小，表明蜡的形态和微观结构发生了变化。