Im. Elgamal et S. Gobiel, SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF POLY-ALPHA-OLEFINS FOR IMPROVING THE FLOWPROPERTIES OF GAS OIL, Journal of applied polymer science, 61(8), 1996, pp. 1265-1272
Polymers of individual and mixed normal C-12, C-14, C-16, and C-18 alp
ha-olefins are synthesized, purified, and then characterized. The perf
ormance of poly-alpha-olefins is assessed for improving the cold flow
properties of a local gas oil in terms of cloud-point and pour-point d
epression. Results show that poly-alpha-olefins have great potency in
decreasing the pour point of the distillate fuel, whereas a slight eff
ect is observed in decreasing the cloud point. Efficiency of the polym
eric pour-point depressants is discussed on the basis of their structu
re and average molecular weight. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.