POLY(ETHYLENE-CO-VINYL ACETATE) (EVA) COPOLYMERS AS MODIFIERS OF OIL WAX CRYSTALLIZATION

Abstract

This work describes the performance of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) copolymers as pour point reducer and organic deposits inhibitor. The molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and vinyl acetate content of the EVA copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography and thermogravimetric analyses, respectively. The copolymer with the highest vinyl acetate content (within the range analyzed, 28-41 wt %) exhibited the best performance as organic deposits inhibitor. Results from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggest that the EVA copolymer acts modifying the morphology of the wax crystals.