Effect of Comb-Type Copolymers on the Non-Isothermal Crystallization Behavior of Paraffin in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)-Toluene Dewaxing

Two comb-type copolymers were synthesized by modifications of the maleic anhydride-alpha-octadecene copolymer with aniline (AMAC) and with phenethylamine (EMAC), respectively. The effects of AMAC and EMAC on the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the MEK-toluene dewaxing process were comparatively investigated. The results showed that, under the optimum process conditions, the addition of 100 ppm AMAC or EMAC could increase the yield of dewaxed oil (DWO) from 67.21% to 70.87% or 69.90%, respectively, and increase the filtration rate by 80% and 70%, respectively. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics analysis showed that the crystallization process conformed to Mo's equation, and the addition of AMAC and EMAC slowed down the crystallization rate of paraffin. The polarizing light microscope observations revealed that the addition of AMAC promoted the formation of snow flower-like crystals, and the EMAC addition led to the crystals having longer rods with a relatively complete morphology. This work provided useful experimental data for a better understanding of the roles of comb-type copolymer additives in the MEK-toluene dewaxing process.