Preparation the Esters of Oleic Acid-Maleic Anhydride Copolymer and Their Evaluation as Flow Improvers for Waxy Crude Oil

Five comb-like copolymers derived from oleic acid-maleic anhydride were prepared and then esterified by long-chain fatty alcohol (POMA C_n), where n = 18, 20, 22. These polymers were characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR analysis. The molecular weight was determined by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The prepared copolymers were investigated as flow improvers and pour point depressants (PPD) for crude oil. From the evaluation, it was found that, the maximum depression of PP was obtained by (POMA₂ C₂₂) with long-chain alcohol (C₂₂–OH) from 27°C to 15°C (ΔPP_3000ppm = ?12°C). On the other side, it was remarked that no depression obtained by (POMA₂ C₁₈), which esterified by alcohol (C₁₈–OH) at the same condition. The depression of pour point effectiveness was discussed on the light of polymers structure, molecular weights, and their concentrations. By analysis the results of the rheological flow properties, it was found that the POMA₂ C₂₂ enhanced the Bingham yield values (τ_β). The τ_β for crude oil without additives against 15, 27, and 39°C were 0.286, 0.131, and 0.075 Pa respectively, whereas the τβ for the treated crude oil with POMA₂ C₂₂ were 0.027, 0.022 and 0.010 Pa at 3000 ppm at the same temperatures. By using the photomicrography analysis, it was found that, the wax morphology was greatly modified to fine dispersed crystals of compact size.