Use of alkanesulfonic acids as asphaltene-dispersing agents
AssigneeClariant GmbH
InventorsDennis Miller, Axel Vollmer, Michael Feustel
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of secondary alkanesulphonic acids as asphaltene dispersing agent in crude oils and products derived therefrom, wherein a chain length of 8 to 22 C atoms is present. The secondary alkanesulfonic acids are employed in an amount of from 1 to 10,000 ppm by volume. The alkanesulfonic acid is preferably formulated as a solution or microemulsion, and can further contain optional alkyl-formaldehyde resin, oxyalkylated amines, or wax-dispersing agents. The alkanesulfonic acids provide reduced precipitate amounts, slow the rate of precipitate formation, form a more finely divided precipitate and reduce the tendency of the precipitate to be deposited on surfaces.
Claims9
A product comprising a crude oil, heavy heating oil, marine oil, or bitumen and an effective amount of a secondary alkanesulfonic acid asphaltene-dispersing agent, said dispersing agent having a carbon atom chain length of 8 to 22.
A process for dispersing asphaltenes in crude oil heavy heating oil, marine oil, or bitumen which comprises adding a secondary alkanesulfonic acid having a carbon atom chain length of 8 to 22 to the crude oil, heavy heating oil, marine oil, or bitumen in an amount of 1 to 10,000 ppm by volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.