Synthesis of poly(maleic acid alkylamide-co-α-olefin-co-styrene) and their effect on flow ability of oils

To improve the flow ability of crude oil with high content of aromatic asphaltenes, new comb-type copolymers of poly(maleic anhydride-co-α-olefin-co-styrene) (MASCs) with different ratios of maleic anhydride (MA) to styrene were designed and synthesized. 1H NMR and FTIR spectra were used to characterize the chemical structure of the copolymers. The effect of copolymers on the flow ability of model waxy oil and crude oil were studied by rheological method and polarizing light microscopy. Upon the addition of MASCs, the yield stresses of oils were decreased by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude, and the morphology of paraffin crystals were reduced and changed from plates to needles.