Polymer compositions useful as flow improvers in cold fluids
AssigneeConocoPhillips Company
InventorsRay L. Johnston, Stuart N. Milligan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drag-reducing polymer capable of dissolving even in cold fluids is described, along with a method for manufacturing said drag-reducing polymer. The drag-reducing polymer has at least one alpha-olefin monomer with between a four and nine carbon chain length and a co-monomer and has less than 25% monomers (molar content) with carbon chain lengths of 12 or longer. A drag-reducing polymer suspension is also described.
Claims30
An ultra-high molecular weight copolymer useful as a drag reducer for hydrocarbons having a molecular weight greater than 1 million and substantially no reluctant fraction comprising a majority of alpha-olefin monomers with carbon chain lengths of between 4 and 9 carbons (molar content) and less than 25% monomers (molar content) with carbon chain lengths of 12 or longer.
A method of manufacturing an ultra-high molecular weight copolymer useful as a drag reducer comprising:
- (a) bulk-polymerizing, in the absence of a solvent, a monomer mixture comprising a majority of alpha-olefin monomers with carbon chain lengths of between 4 and 9 carbons (molar content) and less than 25% monomers (molar content) with carbon chain lengths of 12 or longer;
- and
- (b) forming the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer has a molecular weight of greater than 1 million and substantially no reluctant fraction.
A method for the preparation of a drag-reducing copolymer suspension comprising:
- a) preparing an ultra-high molecular weight copolymer by bulk co-polymerizing monomer mixture comprising a majority of alpha-olefin monomers with carbon chain lengths of between 4 and 9 carbons (molar content) and less than 25% monomers (molar content) with carbon chain lengths of 12 or longer, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer has a molecular weight of greater than 1 million and substantially no reluctant fraction;
- and,
- b) mixing the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer with a suspending fluid to form the drag-reducing polymer suspension.
A method for the preparation of a drag-reducing copolymer suspension comprising:
- a) preparing an ultra-high molecular weight copolymer by solution co-polymerizing in a hydrocarbon solvent a monomer mixture comprising a majority of alpha-olefin monomers with carbon chain lengths of between 4 and 9 carbons (molar content) and less than 25% monomers (molar content) with carbon chain lengths of 12 or longer, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer has a molecular weight of greater than 1 million and substantially no reluctant fraction;
- b) separating the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer from the hydrocarbon solvent;
- and,
- c) mixing the ultra-high molecular weight copolymer with a suspending fluid to form the drag-reducing polymer suspension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.