PARAFFIN WAX DISPERSANT
A method includes introducing a paraffin wax dispersant composition to a hydrocarbon fluid. Another method includes storing or transporting a hydrocarbon fluid in or through a vessel, wherein the hydrocarbon fluid contains the paraffin wax dispersant composition. The paraffin wax dispersant composition can include a sorbitol-based compound, a quaternary ammonium compound, monoethanolamine, and alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in excess relative to the monoethanolamine. Alternatively, the paraffin wax dispersant composition can include a sorbitol-based compound, a quaternary ammonium compound, monoethanolamine, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, and 2-mercaptoethanol, where monoethanolamine is in excess relative to the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid. A mixture can include the hydrocarbon fluid and the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
1 . A method comprising:
introducing a paraffin wax dispersant composition to a hydrocarbon fluid, wherein the paraffin wax dispersant composition comprises:
a sorbitol-based compound;
a quaternary ammonium compound;
a solvent;
monoethanolamine; and
an alkyl benzene sulfonic acid.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a mass ratio of the monoethanolamine to the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in the paraffin wax dispersant composition is less than 1:1.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the paraffin wax dispersant composition contains no 2-mercaptoethanol.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein a concentration of the paraffin wax dispersant composition in the hydrocarbon fluid is in a range of from 350 ppmw to 1,000 ppmw based on a total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a total activity of the paraffin wax dispersant composition is in a range of from 20 wt % to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition, wherein the total activity is defined as a sum wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, the quaternary ammonium compound, the monoethanolamine, and the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a mass ratio of the monoethanolamine to the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in the paraffin wax dispersant composition is equal to or greater than 1:1 and less than 10:1.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the paraffin wax dispersant composition further comprises 2-mercaptoethanol.
8 . The method of claim 7 , having from 2 wt % to 5 wt % of the 2-mercaptoethanol based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a concentration of the paraffin wax dispersant composition in the hydrocarbon fluid is in a range of from 100 ppmw to 1,000 ppmw based on a total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a total activity of the paraffin wax dispersant composition is in a range of from 20 wt % to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition, wherein the total activity is defined as a sum wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, the quaternary ammonium compound, the monoethanolamine, the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, and the 2-mercaptoethanol in the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fluid comprises a crude oil, a hydrocarbon gas, a condensate, or combinations thereof.
12 . A paraffin wax dispersant composition comprising:
a sorbitol-based compound;
a quaternary ammonium compound;
a solvent;
monoethanolamine; and
an alkyl benzene sulfonic acid.
13 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 12 , wherein a mass ratio of the monoethanolamine to the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in the paraffin wax dispersant composition is less than 1:1, wherein the paraffin wax dispersant composition contains no 2-mercaptoethanol.
14 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 13 , containing 3 wt % to 6 wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, 20 wt % to 40 wt % of the quaternary ammonium compound, 0.1 wt % to 1 wt % of the monoethanolamine, 1 wt % to 3 wt % of the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, and 50 wt % to 80 wt % of the solvent, based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
15 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 13 , having a total activity of 50 wt % based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition, wherein the total activity is defined as a sum wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, the quaternary ammonium compound, the monoethanolamine, and the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid.
16 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 12 , further comprising 2-mercaptoethanol, wherein a mass ratio of the monoethanolamine to the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid in the paraffin wax dispersant composition is equal to or greater than 1:1.
17 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 16 , having from 2 wt % to 5 wt % of the 2-mercaptoethanol based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
18 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 16 , containing 2 wt % to 4 wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, 12 wt % to 31 wt % quaternary ammonium compound, 1.3 wt % to 2.9 wt % of the monoethanolamine, 0.2 wt % to 0.5 wt % of the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, 2 wt % to 5 wt % of the 2-mercaptoethanol, and 56 wt % to 78 wt % of the solvent, based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition.
19 . The paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 16 , having a total activity in a range of from 20 wt % to 50 wt % based on a total weight of the paraffin wax dispersant composition, wherein the total activity is defined as a sum wt % of the sorbitol-based compound, the quaternary ammonium compound, the monoethanolamine, the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, and the 2-mercaptoethanol.
20 . A mixture comprising:
a hydrocarbon fluid; and
the paraffin wax dispersant composition of claim 12 .