Bioresoursed Nano-Sio2/Styrene-Co-Vinyl Acetate Nano-Composite: Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation as Nano-Pour Point Depressant and Paraffin Inhibitor for Waxy Crude Oil

Abstract

The problem of wax precipitation and deposition in crude oils at low temperatures causes severe problems in the petroleum industry. Among the various developed approaches to solve this issue is the injection of polymer nano-composites into waxy crude oil. Herein, the bagasse of sugarcane waste as a bioresource was used for silica nano-particles (Nano-SiO2) extraction. Also, a new copolymer of styrene-co-vinyl acetate was prepared then, a novel nano-composite; Nano-SiO2/styrene-co-vinyl acetate composed of the produced bioresoursed Nano-SiO2 and styrene-co-vinyl acetate was prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and gel permeation chromatography analytical techniques were used to characterize the produced materials. Additionally, the synthesized Nano-SiO2/styrene-co-vinyl acetate was applied as a cheap nano-pour point depressant and paraffin inhibitor for the waxy crude oil and its performance was compared with the pristine styrene-co-vinyl acetate copolymer. Various concentrations (100 ppm-800 ppm) of the synthesized additives were injected into the collected crude oil samples at 60 ºC. The results indicated that the dosages of the injected pour point depressants have a significant impact on their performance. Optimum dosages of 400 ppm and 600 ppm of Nano-SiO2/styrene-co-vinyl acetate and styrene-co-vinyl acetate respectively were found to be efficient in depressing the pour point temperature and inhibiting the paraffins aggregation at low temperatures.