In order to understand the behavior of asphaltenes in bulk crude oil under refinery and transport conditions, two pressurized cells designed to operate at elevated temperature (up to 200�C) were built. With these devices we were able to test a) solubility properties of various asphaltenes in water with varying salinity, b) interfacial properties at the organic liquid-air interface with asphaltenes dissolved in model organic liquids, i.e. toluene and c) interfacial properties at the organic liquid-aqueous interface again including understanding the influence of salinity in the aqueous phase. The ultimate purpose of this study is to acquire the fundamental knowledge of various asphaltenes, which in turn can improve the current art of handling crude oil-water mixtures in oil extraction, transport and refining.

Investigation of the solubility and interfacial behavior of various asphaltenes under severe refinery and transport conditions

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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