Using of modified plastic waste based on poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) grafts to solve transportation problem of petroleum crude oil

Abstract

Polyethylene acrylic acid copolymer (PEAA) was modified with different types of alkanols and hydroxybenzoic acids to produce three types of esterified grafts. The molecular structures of the synthesized dispersants were performed using 1H NMR analysis. The molecular weights of the synthesized dispersants were determined by GPC technique. The activity of PEAA derivatives as asphaltene stabilizer in the crude oil was evaluated by means of flocculation measurements. The effect of asphaltenes on the rheological behavior of highly asphaltenic crude oils was studied to evaluate the transportation parameters of crude oils. The rheological properties were measured at different temperature ranges of 5°C to 25°C in presence and absence of PEAA additives. It was observed that the PEAA having side chain lengths below C16 show non-Newtonian pseudoplastic relationships at temperatures from 25°C to 5°C. While, PEAA additives having side chain lengths equal or above C16 show Newtonian relationship even at low temperature (5°C) for all tested crude oils.