Use of surfactants and polymers for modification of particle shape and strength of network 

Certain crude oils pose severe challenges for flow assurance due to the high concentration of waxes. Being high molecular weight compounds, waxes crystallize out of the oil as largely aspherical particles and readily form a network which occludes a large volume of oil and prevents free flow of crude through pipelines. By using polymeric molecules comprising of long carbon chains, we hinder the process of wax network formation in crude oil systems.

Figure 1 shows the change in wax crystal morphology as well as size and size distribution due to addition of 1000 ppm of EVA polymer. Large number of smaller and less aspherical particles do not possess the ability to form strong networks as seen from two vials of waxy oil with and without added EVA polymer.