Synthesis by radical polymerization and structure of drag reducing terpolymers based on acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid

Abstract

Terpolymers of acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate were prepared by radical copolymerization in aqueous solution. The terpolymers obtained are enriched in acrylamide units and depleted of acrylonitrile units relative to the initial monomer ratio. The acrylamide–acrylonitrile–sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid terpolymers show high performance as drag reduction agents. Under the conditions of thermal, salt, and acid aggressions, the terpolymer containing 71.6 mol % acrylamide, 10.5 mol % acrylonitrile, and 17.9 mol % sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate ensures drag reduction no less than 70%.