Polyether polyesters having anionic functionality
Polyester compositions and methods of producing and using same are provided. The polyester compositions at least include an anionic diacid monomer or diester monomer thereof and a polyether. The polyester compositions of the present invention can be effectively utilized, for example, to treat crude oil during production and refinery processing.
1 . A method of treating oil, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a treatment agent that includes a polyester composed of a polyether and an anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof; and
adding an effective amount of the treatment agent to oil.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sulfosuccinic acid, 4-sulfophthalic acid, sulfonaphthalic acid, salts thereof, anhydrides thereof and combinations thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the polyether is selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), poly(butylene glycol), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester has the formula
(A x (B) y
where A is the anionic diacid monomer or diester thereof, where B is the polyether, and where x and y are independently integers of 1 to about 250.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein A includes dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sodium salt.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein (B) y has a formula selected from the group consisting of
where z ranges from 1 to about 100;
where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where m ranges from 1 to about 150; and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, —H, and —CH 3 , and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
where m ranges from 1 to about 150, and where n ranges from 1 to about 150;
copolymers thereof and combinations thereof.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester has the formula
where R is an anionic functional group; m ranges from 1 to about 150; n ranges from 1 to about 150; x and y independently range from 0 to about 250, provided that x and y are not both 0; and z ranges from 1 to about 100.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein where m ranges from 2 to about 50; n ranges from 2 to about 50; and z ranges from 2 to about 40.
9 . The method of claim 7 wherein the polyester compound has a number average molecular weight that ranges from about 500 to about 20,000.
10 . The method of claim 11 wherein the anionic diacid monomer is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sulfosuccinic acid, 4-sulfophthalic acid, sulfonaphthalic acid, salts thereof, anhydrides thereof and combinations thereof; and wherein the polyether is selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), poly(butylene glycol), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment agent is capable of demulsifying crude oil during production or processing thereof.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment agent is capable of reducing oil viscosity during crude oil production or processing.
13 . The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment agent is capable of modifying emulsions in crude oil production or processing.
14 . The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment agent is added to the oil in liquid form.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the liquid form is prepared by dissolving the polyester in an aqueous carrier medium.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein a concentration of the polyester in the liquid form ranges from about 1% by weight to about 60% by weight.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the polyester in liquid form is diluted prior to addition to the oil.
18 . The method of claim 1 wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises a demulsifier in liquid form used during crude oil production or processing.
19 . The method of claim 1 wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises a viscosity reducer used during crude oil production or processing.
20 . The method of claim 1 wherein the oil-treatment agent further comprises an emulsion modifier used during crude oil production or processing.