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Impact of Lateral Size of Graphene Oxide in Pour Point Depressant Composite on Wax Crystallisation of Model Oil

Muhamad Ridhwan Hafiz Rosdi, Mohd Danial Mohd Johary, Ku Marsilla Ku Ishak and Azlan Ariffin

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 28, Issue 3, July 2020

Keywords: Ethylene vinyl acetate, graphene oxide, lateral size, pour point depressant, wax crystallisation

Published on: 16 July 2020

Graphene oxide (GO) is a reliable additive used to improve the wax crystal inhibition performance of pour point depressant (PPD). In understanding the lateral size effect on wax crystal inhibition, PPD emulsions containing graphene oxide of different lateral sizes were prepared. The parameters of pour point reduction (PPR) and dissipated wax crystallisation enthalpy were considered in the assessment of wax inhibition performance. PPR was measured using a pour point tester in accordance to ASTM D-97, while the enthalpy dissipation was evaluated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under cooling cycle. The study revealed that the addition of GO lowered the wax crystallisation enthalpy, as indicated by the lesser amount of precipitated wax present in the model oil. The enthalpy underwent a decrease from 25.04 to 23.97 Jg-1 with decreasing GO lateral size. It is evident from the pour point test that the use of different GO lateral sizes significantly affects the wax inhibition, as verified through the highest PPR of 10°C displayed by the EJGO5 sample (with addition of the smallest lateral size of 1 μm). In short, manipulating the GO lateral size in sonicated samples boosted the PPR up to 100% compared to the unsonicated sample (EJGO1). Furthermore, smaller lateral size provides more nucleation site for wax co-crystallisation, hence preventing the neighbouring wax crystals from attaching and forming a looser crystal structure. The thermal characteristics of the PPD emulsions were also examined through DSC technique, which revealed that the emulsions thermal properties were unaffected by the addition of GO.

ISSN 1511-3701

e-ISSN 2231-8542

Article ID

JST-1925-2020

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