| abstract |
An additive comprising, dissolved in a solvent, an asphaltene dispersant selected from the group consisting of α-olefin/vinyl pyrrolidinone copolymers. The copolymer can comprise at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of mono-α-olefins, at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of linear α-olefins and/or at least one α-olefin is selected from the group consisting of 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-eicosene, 1-docosene, 1-tetracosene, 1-hexacosene, 1-octacosene and 1-triacontene. The additive can comprise a copolymer of 2-pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl monomer. The copolymer can have a Hansen Solubility Parameter (HSP), δ, of greater than 16, 17 or 18 MPa 1/2 . The solvent can be selected from the group consisting of aromatic solvents, such as1-methyl naphthalene, bis-(m-phenoxyphenyl) ether, o-xylene, toluene and heavy aromatic solvents. Also provided is a method of inhibiting asphaltene precipitation in a fluid by introducing into the fluid an asphaltene dispersant selected from the group consisting of α-olefin/vinyl pyrrolidinone copolymers. |