Use of selected acrylic and/or methacrylic acid ester copolymers as flow enhancers in paraffin-rich mineral oils and mineral-oil fractions (II)
The use of copolymers of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid esters of higher alcohols or alcohol cuts having at least 16 C atoms in the alcohol radical and not more than 20% by weight, preferably about 0.5 to 15% by weight, of free acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid - the per cent by weight relating to the copolymer weight - as additives for crude oils and petroleum fractions containing paraffins and/or asphaltenes for depressing the pour point or solidification point thereof and for improving the flow properties, especially in the temperature range just above the solidification point, is described. The flow enhancers are preferably used in paraffin-rich oils or oil fractions having normal pour points above 20°C, especially above 25°C, a depression of the pour points to values below 15°C and especially below 10°C becoming possible.