Polyoctadecylacrylate (POA) and resin-stabilized asphaltene synergistically improve the flow behavior of model waxy oils

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the effect of POA PPD together with resin-stabilized asphaltenes on the flow behavior of model waxy oils was investigated through rheological test, DSC, microscopic observation and asphaltenes precipitation test. Compared to the POA or asphaltenes alone, POA/asphaltenes cannot further decrease the wax appearance temperature of oils, but can dramatically decrease the pour point, gelation point, G′, G″ and apparent viscosity of oils. POA molecules can adsorb on the surface of asphaltenes, thus inhibiting the asphaltenes precipitation and forming the POA/asphaltenes composite particles. The composite particles can act as wax crystallization templates and then greatly change the wax crystals' morphology into large and spherical-like, thus improving the waxy oil flow behavior.