Alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents for drag reducing agents and methods of forming drag reducing agents using alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents

Abstract

A composition including a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of the drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes the steps of contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture to form a polyalphaolefin. The reactant mixture may include at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent or the at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent may be mixed with the polyalphaolefin after polymerization. The alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents are alpha olefin monomers that are solid at ambient temperatures. Preferably, the alpha olefin monomers are selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60 alpha olefin monomers. A process for reducing drag in a conduit is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, the process comprising: 
 contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture, wherein the reactant mixture includes at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent; and    polymerizing the alpha olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomer polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one catalyst is a transition metal catalyst.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the transition metal catalyst is a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyst is titanium trichloride.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reactant mixture includes at least one co-catalyst.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one co-catalyst is selected from the group consisting of alkylaluminoxanes, halohydrocarbons, diethylaluminum chloride, and dibutylaluminum chloride.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         11 . A drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         14 . A drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent formed by contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture having at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, and polymerizing the alpha olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomers polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         17 . A drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent formed by contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture, polymerizing the alpha olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomers polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin, and mixing the polyalphaolefin with at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         20 . A process for reducing drag in a conduit, comprising: 
 forming a drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, wherein the drag reducing agent is formed by contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture having at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, and polymerizing the alpha olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomers polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin; and    introducing the drag reducing agent into the conduit.    
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         23 . A process for reducing drag in a conduit, comprising: 
 forming a drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, wherein the drag reducing agent is formed by contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture, polymerizing the alpha olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomers polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin, and mixing the polyalphaolefin with at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent; and    introducing the drag reducing agent into the conduit.    
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         26 . A process for forming a drag reducing agent comprising a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent, the process comprising: 
 contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture;    polymerizing the alpha-olefin monomers, wherein during the polymerization at least a portion of the alpha olefin monomers polymerize in the reactant mixture to provide a polyalphaolefin; and    mixing the polyalphaolefin with at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent.    
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.  
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of cryogrinding the polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent.  
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is selected from the group consisting of C 20 —C 60  alpha olefin monomers.  
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent is at least one C 30  alpha olefin monomer.