Abstract
The goal of this study was to develop a new polymer composite and evaluate its efficiency as a pour point depressant for ultra-paraffinic crude oil from the Konys field, Kazakhstan. The primary focus was the composite’s ability to enhance the flow characteristics of the oil. This composite was developed by blending poly (maleic anhydride-ethanolamine) with butyl linoleate at high temperatures and high pressure. Infrared spectral analysis and digital microscopic analysis were used to explore the potential interactions between these components. The effect of the maleic anhydride-ethanolamine polymer and butyl linoleate on the pour point and kinematic viscosity of the tested crude oil was investigated to determine their efficacy as depressor additives. The depressor blend additives exhibited higher efficiency than the individual components. At an optimal concentration of these depressor additives of 0.03%, the pour point decreased from 10 °C to −13 °C, and the kinematic viscosity reduced from 18.1 to 6.8 mm2/s. This can be explained by the fact that the blend additive changed the crystalline structures of paraffin, making them more amorphous and smaller in size. This reduced the risk of blockages forming in pipelines. The findings presented in this paper can be used to improve the processes related to the transportation of the crude oil during cold seasons. Finally, the combination of poly (maleic anhydride-ethanolamine) with fatty acid esters was found to be a cost-effective way to reduce wax deposition in the oil industry, especially in areas with temperature fluctuations.