Stability of poly-α-olefin drag reduction agent suspension

Main factors to influence the stability of poly-α-olefin drag reduction agent suspension system include the polarity and density of carrier medium, types, quantity and treatment methods of dispersants and particle size of poly-α-olefin, etc. Therefore, the optimization of formulation and technique for poly-α-olefin drag reduction agent suspension are carried out. Pentanol of moderate carbon number mixed with ethylene glycol monomethyl ether at a special ratio is used as carrier medium, which benefits to stable dispersion and suspension for poly-α-olefin. The magnesium stearate as dispersant could improve superficial property of carrier medium and poly-α-olefin particle. And with 45℃ heat treatment, deposition and delamination of poly-α-olefin particle are effectively decreased. When the particle size of poly-α-olefin is smaller and the surface area with same quantity is higher, the better stability of suspension is obtained. The drag reduction agent prepared shows good stability at room temperature for 270 days without bedding and agglomerating phenomena.