Oil dispersible polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) microspheres improve the flow behavior of waxy crude oil through spacial hindrance effect

摘要: Abstract Application of nanocomposite pour point depressants to improve the rheology waxy crude oil is a novel and efficient technique receives much attention. However, effects nano microparticles alone on are unclear up now. In this paper, monodispersed PMSQ microspheres with different sizes (200 nm–10 µm) were successfully synthesized through two-step sol-gel route. Then effect flow behavior two typical oils was studied. The results showed that disperse well in phase as single spheres. A small dosage significantly decreases gelation point, elastic modulus G′, viscous G″, apparent viscosity yield stress samples, indicating at temperatures below wax appearance temperature. improving efficiency greatly influenced by size microspheres. Moreover, adding samples also inhibits asphaltenes precipitation because capable adsorbing part asphaltenes. have little influence exothermic character microstructure samples. Similar tests model further confirmed cannot participate process change morphology precipitated crystals, but can impede interactions crystals spacial hindrance effect, which development crystal network structure thus improves oil. This mechanism brings new way favors new-generation improvers based or microparticles.