Synthesis and evaluation of acrylate polymers for improving flow properties of waxy crudes

N‐Alkyl acrylates and n‐alkyl methacrylates were prepared by esterification of acrylic and methacrylic acids with two long‐chain alcohol blends NAFOL 2022 and NAFOL 1822. The prepared monomers were characterized and polymerized individually. In addition, copolymers of n‐alkyl acrylate‐n‐alkyl methacrylate, and n‐alkyl methacrylate–vinyl acetate and a terpolymer of n‐alkyl acrylate–acrylic acid–vinyl acetate were also synthesized. These polymers were also characterized and then evaluated as flow improvers in Khalda mixtureand Salam Egyptian waxy crudes. The majority of the prepared additives showed good performance in improving the flow properties of the tested crudes. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.