Production and use of paraffin inhibitor formulations

Abstract

A process for preparing a paraffin inhibitor formulation comprising (a) preparing a mixture comprising a waxy paraffin inhibitor component having a melting point of >0° C. and an emulsifier component, wherein the mixture is prepared at a first temperature range above the melting point of the waxy paraffin inhibitor; (b) adding water to the mixture to produce an o/w emulsion; and (c) cooling the o/w emulsion to a temperature in a second temperature range which is below the melting point of the waxy paraffin inhibitor. The mixture prepared in step (a) may further comprise water to produce a w/o emulsion, the water being present in a proportion by weight that is lower than the sum of the proportions by weight of the paraffin inhibitor and the emulsifier component. The process may further comprise (d) adding an at least partially water-miscible organic solvent in which the paraffin inhibitor is insoluble.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.