Glycerol-modified cashew nut shell liquid as eco-friendly flow improvers for waxy crude oil

Abstract

Use of pour point depressants/flow improvers is an effective strategy for alleviation of flow problems associated with wax formation in paraffinic crude oil. Biobased oilfield chemicals derived from renewables are appealing as low-cost, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional pour point depressants. Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) extracted from Anacardium occidentale shells was modified by esterification with glycerol. The CNSL derivatives were evaluated as pour point depressants and low-temperature flow improver for waxy crude oil. Pour point and viscosity of doped crude oil were reduced by a maximum of 15 °C and 86%, respectively. Cross-polarized micrographs of doped oil were analyzed with Image J software and showed decrease in wax crystal aspect ratio and boundary fractal dimension indicating modifications to wax morphology and microstructure.