Wax inhibition with poly(octadecyl acrylate)

The interactions between octamer units of a known wax inhibitor (poly(octadecyl acrylate)) and paraffin crystal surfaces are studied using molecular dynamics techniques. An inhibited surface is formed by adsorbing an octamer in a low energy configuration on a (010) octacosane surface and filling the exposed surface adjacent to the inhibitor with octacosane molecules. The properties of subsequent added alkane layers are examined. The added layers experience significant disruption caused by the alkane molecules over the octamer undergoing a lateral shift, such that one lamella lies wholly over the octamer. The disruption increases the energy and distortion of the added layers, which leads to a decrease in the rate of crystal growth.