Polyether polyesters having anionic functionality

Abstract

Polyester compositions and methods of producing and using same are provided. The polyester compositions at least include an anionic diacid monomer or diester monomer thereof and a polyether. The polyester compositions of the present invention can be effectively utilized, for example, to treat crude oil during production and refinery processing.

1 . A method of treating oil, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a treatment agent that includes a polyester composed of a polyether and an anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof; and    adding an effective amount of the treatment agent to oil.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sulfosuccinic acid, 4-sulfophthalic acid, sulfonaphthalic acid, salts thereof, anhydrides thereof and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyether is selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), poly(butylene glycol), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyester has the formula  
       (A x  (B) y    where A is the anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof, where B is the polyether, and where x and y are independently integers of 1 to about 250.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein A includes dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sodium salt.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein (B) y  has a formula selected from the group consisting of  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       where z ranges from 1 to about 100;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where m ranges from 1 to about 150; and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, —H, and —CH 3 , and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;  
       copolymers thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyester has the formula  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       where R is an anionic functional group; m ranges from 1 to about 150; n ranges from 1 to about 150; x and y independently range from 0 to about 250, provided that x and y are not both 0; and z ranges from 1 to about 100.  
     
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein where m ranges from 2 to about 50; n ranges from 2 to about 50; and z ranges from 2 to about 40.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polyester compound has a number average molecular weight that ranges from about 500 to about 20,000.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the anionic diacid monomer is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sulfosuccinic acid, 4-sulfophthalic acid, sulfonaphthalic acid, salts thereof, anhydrides thereof and combinations thereof; and wherein the polyether is selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), poly(butylene glycol), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment agent is capable of demulsifying crude oil during production or processing thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment agent is capable of reducing oil viscosity during crude oil production or processing.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment agent is capable of modifying emulsions in crude oil production or processing.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment agent is added to the oil in liquid form.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the liquid form is prepared by dissolving the polyester in an aqueous carrier medium.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a concentration of the polyester in the liquid form ranges from about 1% by weight to about 60% by weight.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the polyester in liquid form is diluted prior to addition to the oil.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises a demulsifier in liquid form used during crude oil production or processing.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises a viscosity reducer used during crude oil production or processing.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises an emulsion modifier used during crude oil production or processing.