Improving Diesel Low-TemperatureFluidity Mechanisms of Pour Point Depressants and the High-Efficiency HA806Composite Formula
Composition and Characteristics of Diesel
Diesel is a hydrocarbon mixture primarilycomposed of n-alkanes (paraffins), iso-alkanes, cycloalkanes, and minor aromatic compounds, with carbon numbers ranging from C10to C22. The n-alkanes are the key factor affecting low-temperature fluidity. Astemperatures drop, n-alkanes crystallize due to reduced solubility, forming waxcrystals that impair flowability. For example:
- Type A Diesel: Lower n-alkane content
(average carbon number: 15.6) with a broad carbon number distribution.
- Type B Diesel: Higher n-alkane
content (average carbon number: 16.8) with a narrow distribution dominated
by high-carbon-number paraffins.
The low-temperature performance of dieselis evaluated by its solidification point (SP) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP). SPindicates the temperature at which diesel completely loses flowability, whileCFPP reflects its ability to pass through filters under cold conditions. Forinstance, 0# diesel typically has a CFPP of +4°C to -5°C. Failure to improveCFPP can lead to engine fuel system failures in cold climates.
Mechanisms of Diesel Pour Point Depressants
Pour point depressants (PPDs) improvelow-temperature fluidity by altering wax crystal morphology and aggregationthrough the following mechanisms:
- Co-Crystallization:
Long-chain alkyl segments in PPDs (e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate, EVA) co-crystallize
with wax molecules, disrupting ordered arrangements and transforming
sheet-like crystals into spherical or spindle-shaped structures.
- Adsorption and Dispersion:
Polar groups (e.g., ester or amine groups) in PPDs adsorb onto wax crystal
surfaces, creating electrostatic repulsion to prevent aggregation. For
example, nitrogen-containing compounds enhance surface charge density on
wax crystals.
- Nucleation Induction:
PPDs form microcrystalline nuclei before wax precipitation, promoting
finely dispersed crystals instead of large aggregates.
Surfactant-compounded PPDs provide additional heterogeneous nucleation
sites.
- Solubility Enhancement:
Certain PPDs increase wax solubility in diesel, delaying crystallization.
Types and Performance of Pour Point Depressants
1. Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymers
- Features: Optimal performance at a molecular weight of 12,000–12,500
and vinyl acetate (VA) content of 29–32%.
- Effectiveness: Reduces CFPP by up to
15°C for Type A diesel (low wax, broad distribution) but less effective
for high-wax diesel.
2. Polyacrylates
- Features: Comb-like long alkyl side chains align with wax molecules,
while polar groups enhance dispersion.
- Effectiveness: When compounded with surfactants,
CFPP reduction improves by 20–30%.
3. Maleic Anhydride Copolymers
- Features: Cost-effective; grafting polar groups (e.g., amine) improves
adsorption.
- Effectiveness: Significantly inhibits
high-carbon-number wax (C20+), reducing CFPP by 8–10°C.
4. Composite PPDs
- Features: Synergistic multi-component systems (e.g., EVA + surfactants
+ nitrogen compounds) combining co-crystallization, nucleation, and
dispersion mechanisms.
- Effectiveness: Achieves CFPP
reductions of 15–20°C with broader adaptability.
Experimental Data:
- For 0# diesel (CFPP +4°C), adding 300 ppm EVA alone lowered
CFPP to -1°C; compounding with surfactants further reduced it to -6°C.
- For high-wax diesel (CFPP +15°C), 500 ppm of a maleic
anhydride-amine copolymer reduced CFPP to +3°C.
Advantages and Recommendation of HA806 Composite Pour PointDepressant
Product FeaturesHA806 is a multi-component PPD designed for diverse diesel compositions,offering:
- High Efficiency: At 100 ppm, it lowers
the SP of 0# diesel from -12°C to -28°C and CFPP from -6°C to -15°C,
meeting -10# diesel standards (Figure 1).
- Broad Adaptability:
Adjustable polymer ratios suit both broad and narrow carbon number
distributions. Experimental results show CFPP reductions of 13°C for Type
B diesel (high wax) and 15°C for Type A diesel (low wax).
- Cost-Effectiveness:
Diluted at 1:9 (PPD:diluent, e.g., diesel or aromatics), the effective
dosage is 0.1%, increasing costs by only ~30 RMB per ton.
Experimental Validation
- Base Oil: 0# diesel (SP: -12°C, CFPP: -6°C).
- Performance:
- 100 ppm HA806: SP -28°C, CFPP -15°C.
- 500 ppm HA806: SP -35°C, CFPP -20°C.
- Stability: After 48 hours at
-20°C, treated diesel passed 45 μm filters without clogging.
Usage Guidelines
- Pre-Dilution: Mix HA806 with diesel
or aromatic solvents at 1:9 for uniform dispersion.
- Dosage Adjustment:
Optimize dosage (100–500 ppm) based on wax content; 500 ppm recommended
for high-wax diesel.
- Compatibility: No interference with
antioxidants or dispersants; stable during long-term storage.
Conclusion
The efficacy of diesel pour pointdepressants hinges on targeted molecular design and multi-mechanism synergy. HA806exemplifies this approach, balancing co-crystallization, adsorption, anddispersion to significantly improve CFPP while maintaining cost efficiency. Forrefineries, logistics operators, and end-users, HA806 enhances diesel’slow-temperature performance, mitigating wax-related operational risks. Itstands as a robust solution for harsh environments and complex dieselcompositions.