Dispersing asphaltenes in hydrocarbon refinery streams with .alpha.-olefin/maleic anhydride copolymer
US5214224A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 25, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10L1/1981
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Dispersing asphaltenes in liquid hydrocarbons, particularly formed during the refining of crude petroleum, is disclosed. The dispersant comprises a free radically polymerized copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin of from about 10 to about 36 carbon atoms and maleic anhydride wherein the anhydride moieties along the copolymer backbone are substantially unhydrolyzed or otherwise not derivatized. The copolymer has a ratio of .alpha.-olefin to maleic anhydride of from about 1:1 to about 1:5 and a molecular weight of from 5000 to about 100,000. Alternatively the dispersant comprises a mixture of the .alpha.-olefin/maleic anhydride copolymer and an alkyl substituted phenol/formaldehyde liquid polymer, such as nonyl phenol/formaldehyde polymer, or a lipophilic/hydrophilic vinylic polymer, such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate/lauryl acrylate copolymer. Also disclosed is a liquid hydrocarbon dispersion containing asphaltenes and 1-100 ppm of the .alpha.-olefin/maleic anhydride copolymer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.