The process begins by obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate. A second batch of monomers is then selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate. A mixture is then prepared by mixing the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers, wherein the second batch of monomers are greater than 50% by weight of the mixture. Finally, the mixture is polymerized to produce a drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
C10G 75/04 - Inhibiting corrosion or fouling in apparatus for treatment or conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in general by addition of antifouling agents
Implementations described herein generally relate to a drag reducing agent (DRA) for improving flow of crude oils having high asphaltene content through pipelines. The DRA is a terpolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 6 degrees Celsius or below. The terpolymer is formed by a first monomer, a second monomer, and a third monomer. The first and second monomers are chosen based on the glass transition temperatures of corresponding homopolymers. The glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the first monomer is at least 120 degrees Celsius higher than the glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the second monomer. The DRA comprised of the terpolymer formed with the second monomer produces softer solids and fewer solids due to the low glass transition temperature of the terpolymer. The softer solids are more easily handled by the pump to keep the injection system clear.
A drag reducing composition, methods of forming a drag reducing composition, and methods of using a drag reducing composition to reduce the pressure drop of a liquid hydrocarbon through a conduit are provided. The drag reducing composition includes a latex polymer, a cationic surfactant, optionally a nonionic surfactant, and a continuous phase. The cationic surfactant is selected from quaternary ammonium-based cationic surfactants, imidazolium-based cationic surfactants, pyridinium-based cationic surfactants, or a combination thereof.
C09K 8/88 - Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds macromolecular compounds
C09K 8/60 - Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
4.
RAPID DISSOLUTION OF DRAG-REDUCING AGENTS AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Drag-reducing polymers and methods of manufacturing drag-reducing polymers are provided. In one aspect, an ultra-high molecular weight terpolymer useful as a drag reducer for hydrocarbons having a molecular weight greater than 1 million is provided. The terpolymer includes (a) a first monomer including a first alpha-olefin monomer having a carbon chain length of between 4 and 9 carbon atoms. The terpolymer further includes (b) a second monomer including a second alpha-olefin monomer having a carbon chain length of between 12 and 15 carbon atoms. The terpolymer further includes (c) a third monomer including a third alpha-olefin monomer having a carbon chain length of between 10 and 11 carbon atoms, wherein the second monomer is present at greater than or at 15% (molar content).
g) of 6 degrees Celsius or below. The terpolymer is formed by a first monomer, a second monomer, and a third monomer. The first and second monomers are chosen based on the glass transition temperatures of corresponding homopolymers. The glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the first monomer is at least 120 degrees Celsius higher than the glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the second monomer. The DRA comprised of the terpolymer formed with the second monomer produces softer solids and fewer solids due to the low glass transition temperature of the terpolymer. The softer solids are more easily handled by the pump to keep the injection system clear.
A flow improver comprising a plurality of core-shell particles that can be formed by emulsion polymerization. The core of the core-shell particles can include a drag reducing polymer, while the shell of the particles can include repeat units of a hydrophobic compound and an amphiphilic compound. The flow improver can demonstrate increased pumping stability over conventionally prepared latex flow improvers.
C08F 265/06 - Polymerisation of acrylate or methacrylate esters on to polymers thereof
C08L 51/00 - Compositions of graft polymers in which the grafted component is obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
C08F 265/04 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof as defined in group on to polymers of esters
Implementations described herein generally relate to methods for purifying alpha-olefins. The alpha-olefins may be used to form drag reducing agents for improving flow of hydrocarbons through conduits, particularly pipelines. In one implementation, a method of increasing alpha-olefin content is provided. The method includes providing an olefin feedstock composition having an alpha-mono-olefin and at least one of a diolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin and/or a triolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin. The method further includes contacting the olefin feedstock composition with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition including an olefin metathesis catalyst. The method further includes reacting the olefin feedstock composition and ethylene at metathesis reaction conditions to produce an alpha-olefin product comprising the alpha-mono-olefin and alpha-olefins having fewer carbon atoms than the alpha-mono-olefin.
C10G 11/02 - Catalytic cracking, in the absence of hydrogen, of hydrocarbon oils characterised by the catalyst used
C07C 5/27 - Rearrangement of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon skeleton
C07C 5/25 - Migration of carbon-to-carbon double bonds
C07C 4/10 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbons containing a larger number of carbon atoms by splitting-off an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic part from the molecule from acyclic hydrocarbons
A storage vessel assembly for storing chemical includes a storage vessel, a frame for housing the storage vessel, an agitation device disposed in the storage vessel, a temperature control system coupled to the storage vessel, and a controller configured to operate the agitation device and the temperature control system.
B65D 81/18 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
B65D 90/20 - Frames or nets, e.g. for flexible containers
B01F 7/16 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a vertical axis
B01F 7/20 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a vertical axis with paddles or arms with fixed axis
9.
Low glass transition temperature polymer latex drag reducing agent
g) of 6 degrees Celsius or below. The terpolymer is formed by a first monomer, a second monomer, and a third monomer. The first and second monomers are chosen based on the glass transition temperatures of corresponding homopolymers. The glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the first monomer is at least 120 degrees Celsius higher than the glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the second monomer. The DRA comprised of the terpolymer formed with the second monomer produces softer solids and fewer solids due to the low glass transition temperature of the terpolymer. The softer solids are more easily handled by the pump to keep the injection system clear.
A composition comprising a drag reducing latex formulation produced by emulsion polymerization to create solid particles dispersed in an aqueous medium and an additive. The use of the composition results in a decrease of film formation while injected through a pump head when compared to the drag reducing latex formulation injected through the pump head.
C09D 167/00 - Coating compositions based on polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
C08K 5/103 - Esters; Ether-esters of monocarboxylic acids with polyalcohols
C08K 5/11 - Esters; Ether-esters of acyclic polycarboxylic acids
C08K 5/12 - Esters; Ether-esters of cyclic polycarboxylic acids
Implementations described herein generally relate to methods for purifying alpha-olefins. The alpha-olefins may be used to form drag reducing agents for improving flow of hydrocarbons through conduits, particularly pipelines. In one implementation, a method of increasing alpha-olefin content is provided. The method includes providing an olefin feedstock composition having an alpha-mono-olefin and at least one of a diolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin and/or a triolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin. The method further includes contacting the olefin feedstock composition with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition including an olefin metathesis catalyst. The method further includes reacting the olefin feedstock composition and ethylene at metathesis reaction conditions to produce an alpha-olefin product comprising the alpha-mono-olefin and alpha-olefins having fewer carbon atoms than the alpha-mono-olefin.
A method of forming a drag reducing polymer formulation. The method begins by forming a drag reducing polymer. A hydrocarbon additive is then incorporated with the drag reducing polymer to form a drag reducing polymer formulation. The drag reducing polymer formulation is then used as a drag reducer in hydrocarbon pipelines.
A drag reducing composition comprising at least one non-polyalphaolefin polymer having an average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 800 micrometers. The non-polyalphaolefin polymer can initially be formed via emulsion polymerization. The initial polymer particles can then be at least partially consolidated and then reduced in size and suspended in a carrier fluid. The resulting drag reducing composition can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a drag reducing suspension capable of dissolving in cold hydrocarbon fluids at usage level. In one embodiment, the drag reducing composition comprises a drag reducing polymer, a partitioning agent comprises a one or more of a coal-tar resin, a C5 aliphatic petroleum resin, a C9 aromatic petroleum resin, C5/C9 aliphatic/aromatic petroleum resin, a cycloaliphatic diene-based petroleum resin, a pure monomer resin, a terpene resin, a terpene phenol resin, a styrenated terpene resin, a rosin resin, a rosin resin derivative, one or more of an alkylphenol resin, a modified alkylphenol resin, and fully or partially hydrogenated form thereof, and suspending fluid medium. The partitioning agent has a good solubility (greater than 8 ppm) in a hydrocarbon stream, such as in a cold refined hydrocarbon stream, for example a diesel stream at a temperature of 0° C. or less.
C08L 23/02 - Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
C08L 23/18 - Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms
C08L 25/02 - Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons
C08L 47/00 - Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, at least one having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
15.
Monomer selection to prepare ultra high molecular weight drag reducer polymer
The process begins by obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate. A second batch of monomers is then selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate. A mixture is then prepared by mixing the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers, wherein the second batch of monomers are greater than 50% by weight of the mixture. Finally, the mixture is polymerized to produce an ultra high molecular weight polymer.
The present embodiment can teach a method of feeding to a materials processor a mixture containing an agglomerated drag reducer. The mixture is then homogenized to produce a remediated drag reducer. The maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle diameter of the remediated drag reducer.
A flow improver comprising a plurality of core-shell particles that can be formed by emulsion polymerization. The core of the core-shell particles can include a drag reducing polymer, while the shell of the particles can include repeat units of a hydrophobic compound and an amphiphilic compound. The flow improver can demonstrate increased pumping stability over conventionally prepared latex flow improvers.
C08F 265/06 - Polymerisation of acrylate or methacrylate esters on to polymers thereof
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
C08L 51/00 - Compositions of graft polymers in which the grafted component is obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
C08F 265/04 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof as defined in group on to polymers of esters
An aqueous drag reducer having the components of water, a hydrocarbon soluble rheology modifier and an ultra-high molecular weight polymer. This aqueous drag reducer is also soluble in hydrocarbons.
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
C08J 3/05 - Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in aqueous media from solid polymers
C08K 5/32 - Compounds containing nitrogen bound to oxygen
F17D 3/12 - Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations for injecting a composition into the line
A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
C10M 107/28 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds containing monomers having an unsaturated radical bound to a carboxyl radical, e.g. acrylate
1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
C09K 8/588 - Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific polymers
C09K 8/58 - Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
21.
Monomer selection to prepare ultra high molecular weight drag reducer polymer
The process begins by obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate. A second batch of monomers is then selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate. A mixture is then prepared by mixing the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers, wherein the second batch of monomers are greater than 50% by weight of the mixture. Finally, the mixture is polymerized to produce an ultra high molecular weight polymer.
A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
C09K 8/588 - Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific polymers
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
C09K 8/588 - Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific polymers
C09K 8/58 - Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
A composition comprising a drag reducing latex formulation produced by emulsion polymerization to create solid particles dispersed in an aqueous medium and an additive. The use of the composition results in a decrease of film formation while injected through a pump head when compared to the drag reducing latex formulation injected through the pump head.
C09D 167/00 - Coating compositions based on polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
C08K 5/103 - Esters; Ether-esters of monocarboxylic acids with polyalcohols
C08K 5/11 - Esters; Ether-esters of acyclic polycarboxylic acids
C08K 5/12 - Esters; Ether-esters of cyclic polycarboxylic acids
A method begins by obtaining a slipstream of a liquid. The slipstream of liquid is then mixed upstream of an injection pump with a latex comprising a drag reducing polymer to produce a drag reducing mixture. The drag reducing mixture is then injected into a liquid hydrocarbon to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon.
F04B 37/18 - Pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups for special use for specific elastic fluids
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer.
F04B 37/18 - Pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups for special use for specific elastic fluids
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
A process for preparing a drag reducing polymer which is to be added to a liquid hydrocarbon. The liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least about 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26°. The drag reducing polymer can comprise the residues of a monomer having at least one heteroatom. Treatment of the liquid hydrocarbon with the drag reducing polymer allows a reduction in pressure drop associated with turbulent flow of the liquid hydrocarbon through a conduit.
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
C10G 75/04 - Inhibiting corrosion or fouling in apparatus for treatment or conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in general by addition of antifouling agents
F17D 1/16 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity
28.
Miniemulsion polymerization to prepare drag reducers
A method of producing a polymer latex drag reducer. The method begins by forming an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, a buffer and water. The method then forms an organic solution comprising a monomer and a co-stabilizer. The aqueous solution and the organic solution are mixed to form an emulsion. The emulsion is then subjecting to a high shear device to produce a miniemulsion, wherein the monomers are broken into small droplets followed by polymerizing the miniemulsion with the addition of an initiator, wherein a nucleation occurs in the small monomer droplets.
A method for drag reducing low molecular weight liquids is provided. More specifically, a method to separate drag reducers from low molecular weight liquids, such as hydrocarbons and anhydrous ammonia, is provided.
F17D 1/17 - Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity by mixing with another liquid
A process in which a mixture is agitated in a substantially oxygen-free environment to produce an agitated emulsion. The mixture comprises water, one or more surfactants, a hydrate inhibitor, and a monomer. The monomer is then polymerized in the emulsion using an initiator and a catalyst to form a hydrate inhibited latex drag reducer.
An apparatus for a diaphragm pump and a method for transporting at least a portion of a latex and/or a latex drag reducer through a diaphragm pump are disclosed. A method for reducing the pressure drop associated with flowing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a pipeline also is disclosed.
F04B 45/04 - Pumps or pumping installations having flexible working members and specially adapted for elastic fluids having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
F01B 19/02 - Positive-displacement machines or engines of flexible-wall type with plate-like flexible members
Drag reducing compositions comprising polymer particles, where the polymer particles include copolymers comprising the residues of at least one methacrylate monomer and at least one comonomer having a polymerizable vinyl group, where the comonomer has no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon. The drag reducing compositions can have improved dissolution rates in hydrocarbon-containing fluids. The drag reducing compositions can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
C10L 1/195 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
C10L 1/196 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions involving only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds derived from monomers containing a carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond and a carboxyl group or salts, anhydrides or esters thereof
−1 and a temperature of 60° F. This low-viscosity allows the drag reducers to be delivered through a long and relatively small diameter conduit of a subsea umbilical line without an unacceptable level of pressure drop or plugging of the conduit. The low-viscosity drag reducers can be delivered to a subsea flowline carrying fluids produced from a subterranean formation to thereby provide significant drag reduction in the flowline.
A drag reducing composition comprising particles of at least two different drag reducing polymers. The different drag reducing polymers can be formed by different processes, such as bulk polymerization or emulsion polymerization, and the particles of the different drag reducing polymers can have different mean particle sizes. The drag reducing compositions can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
A drag reducing composition comprising at least one non-polyalphaolefin polymer having an average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 800 micrometers. The non-polyalphaolefin polymer can initially be formed via emulsion polymerization. The initial polymer particles can then be at least partially consolidated and then reduced in size and suspended in a carrier fluid. The resulting drag reducing composition can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
B05D 5/08 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
37.
Modified latex drag reducer and processes therefor and therewith
A modified latex drag reducer and methods of making and using the drag reducer in order to reduce friction losses resulting from turbulent fluid flow through a conduit. Particularly, the modified latex drag reducer is formed from an initial latex which is a product of an emulsion polymerization reaction. The initial latex is then modified, preferably by admixing with at least one low HLB surfactant or at least one solvent, or both, to form a modified latex with an enhanced dissolution rate in a hydrocarbon stream over the initial latex.
A modified latex drag reducer and methods of making and using the drag reducer in order to reduce friction losses resulting from turbulent fluid flow through a conduit. Particularly, the modified latex drag reducer is formed from an initial latex which is a product of an emulsion polymerization reaction. The initial latex is then modified, preferably by admixing with at least one low HLB surfactant or at least one solvent, or both, to form a modified latex with an enhanced dissolution rate in a hydrocarbon stream over the initial latex.
Latex drag reducers and systems for delivering latex drag reducers are disclosed. The latex drag reducers comprise a polymer that is formed via an emulsion polymerization reaction dispersed in a continuous phase and can undergo subsequent modification in order to increase the solubility of the polymer in hydrocarbons. The polymers generally present a particle size of less than about 1000 nm and are suitable for delivery to a subsea flowline via a small diameter conduit of an umbilical line without an unacceptable level of pressure drop or plugging of the conduit.
patents
