Synthesis and Evaluation of Poly (imidazole olefin-co-ɑ-olefin-octadecyl maleate) as Flow Improvers for Waxy Gas Condensate

Wax deposition is a common problem in the transportation of gas condensate and crude oil. Polymers are often used as flow improvers to prevent wax agglomeration. In this work, comb-shaped ternary copolymers poly (imidazole olefin-co-ɑ-olefin-octadecyl maleate) with polar groups and non-polar long chains were synthesized through esterification and free radical polymerization. The influences of the monomer molar ratio of imidazole olefin and the dosage of polymers on the flow properties of gas condensate were studied. The mechanism reveals that the copolymers interacted with wax crystals through adsorption and co-crystallization to modify the van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces between the wax crystal molecules, thereby achieving the purpose of inhibiting wax precipitation. Imidazole olefin, ɑ-olefin and octadecyl maleate with a molar ratio of 1:10:10 exhibits optimal flow performance on waxy gas condensate. The pour point and wax appearance temperature of the condensate oil containing 4% on-site wax after being treated with NCMO-2 was reduced by 22 ℃ and 11 ℃, respectively. This work provides a reference for the synthesis of flow improvers for waxy condensate oil.