Anti-static additives for hydrocarbons

A composition having increased electrical conductivity, comprising a liquid hydrocarbon and an anti-static amount of a hydrocarbon soluble copolymer comprising x monomer units corresponding to the formula ##STR18## and y monomer units corresponding to the formula ##STR19## wherein X.sup.- is a nonhalogen anion, R is selected from the group consisting of --C(:O)O--, --C(:O)NH--, straight chain and branched alkylene groups, divalent aromatic groups and divalent alicyclic groups, R.sup.1 is a straight chain or branched alkyl of up to about twenty carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R.sup.4 is a straight chain or branched alkylene of up to about twenty carbon atoms, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently each a straight chain or branched alkyl of up to about twenty carbon atoms, and x and y are selected such that the copolymer has an average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 1,000,000 and x/y is from about 1 to about 10.

A method for reducing accumulated static electrical charge on a surface of a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising adding to the liquid hydrocarbon an anti-static amount of a hydrocarbon soluble copolymer of an alkylvinyl monomer and a cationic quaternary ammonium vinyl monomer in a molar ratio of from about 1:1 to about 10:1, the copolymer having an average molecular weight of from about 800 to about 1,000,000.

A hydrocarbon soluble copolymer of an alkylvinyl monomer and a cationic vinyl monomer in a molar ratio of from about 1:1 to about 10:1, the copolymer having an average molecular weight of from about 800 to 1,000,000.