Drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process-comprising:
 a) obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate, methacrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate and combinations thereof;   b) obtaining a second batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate, methacrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate and combinations thereof;   c) preparing a mixture comprising the first batch of monomers and the second batch of Monomers wherein the second batch is greater than 50% by weight of the mixture; and   d) polymerizing the mixture to produce a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the drag reducing polymer is introduced into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26°. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the drag reducing polymer contacts a liquid hydrocarbon in the pipeline to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa 1/2  of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw. 
     
     
         7 . A process comprising:
 a) obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with side alkyl chains having four or less carbons, methacrylates with side alkyl chains having four or less carbons and combinations thereof;   b) obtaining a second batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with side alkyl chains having greater than four carbons, methacrylates with side alkyl chains having greater than four carbons and combinations thereof;   c) preparing a mixture comprising the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers wherein the second batch is greater than 50% by weight of the mixture; and   d) polymerizing the mixture to produce an ultra high molecular weight polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.   
     
     
         8 . A process of  claim 7 , wherein monomers of the second batch of monomers have branched side alkyl chains. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the drag reducing polymer is introduced into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26°. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the drag reducing polymer contacts a liquid hydrocarbon in the pipeline to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa 1/2  of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw. 
     
     
         14 . A process for selecting monomers to polymerize into a drag reducing polymer, the process comprising the steps of:
 a) obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with side alkyl chains having four or less carbons methacrylates with side alkyl chains having four or less carbons and combinations thereof;   b) obtaining a second batch of monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates with side alkyl chains having greater than four carbons, methacryaltes with side alkyl chains having greater than four carbons and combinations thereof;   preparing a mixture comprising the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers wherein the second batch is greater than 50% by weight of the mixture; and   d) polymerizing the mixture to produce an ultra high molecular weight polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.