Effects of spherical, disk-like and lamellar nanocomposite particles on cold flow behaviors of waxy crude oil

Wax precipitation and deposition are challenging hurdles in pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil. This study focuses on transforming SiO2, Laponite, and montmorillonite particles into hydrophobic particles through polymer grafting. Chemical structure analysis and grafting ratio calculation were performed. Through thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) test, Laponite showed the highest grafting ratio. The effects of adding nanocomposites, TDA-2024-22, and commercial pour point depressants on the rheological behavior and wax crystallization behavior of African crude oil were compared. Addition of the nanocomposite PDA-22@SiO2 to crude oil, reduced the viscosity by 85.6% at 20 degrees C and the thixotropy by 60.2%. Wax crystal size decreased in the order of PDA-22@SiO2, PDA-22@Laponite, KS-10, TDA2024-22, and PDA-22@MMT. The pour point decreased by 6 degrees C with PDA-22@ SiO2 particles but only 3 degrees C with Laponite and montmorillonite composites. Spherical nanocomposites are promising flow improvers for waxy crude oil. [GRAPHICS]