PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF N-ALKYL METHYLACRYLATE-VINYL ACETATE - METHACRYLIC ACID TERPOLYMERS AS POUR POINT DEPRESSANT FOR FUEL.

A variety of techniques have been employed in order to reduce problems caused by the crystallization of paraffin during the production. Four different alkyl chain length of n-alkyl methacrylate-vinyl acetatemethacrylic acid terpolymers were prepared and characterized by the infrared spectrometer, and the molecular weight of the prepared additives was determined by using gel permeation chromatography analysis. The performance of the prepared terpolymers as pour point depressants additives for fuel oil. The efficiency of the prepared compounds on pour point depressants for fuel oil increases by increasing the concentration of these additives and the alkyl chain length of n-alkyl methacrylate. The X- ray diffractometer patterns of wax in the absence and presence of investigated additives were studied. Comparison of morphologies and structures of waxy crystals in fuel oil beneficiated with and without a pour point depressant was made by micro photographic studies which show the modification in wax morphology due to the additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]