Research into the interfacial tension of various asphaltenes dissolved in toluene and crude oils at elevated temperatures and pressures required the construction of a special cell. A custom-made heating jacket enabled us to raise the cell to the desired temperature while still allowing for a picture of the drop for determination of drop shape and hence interfacial tension. A special high temperature window was required to withstand both the pressure and allow a photograph of the drop. Two input valves allowed us to input the heavy phase and light phase separately. Once equilibrium had been reached, the light phase would be injected until a satisfactory bubble  formed. The change in densities of both phases with respect to temperature needed to be accounted for. Measurements were usually made for one to two hours at 25 �, 50 �, 75 �, 100 �, and 125 �C, with the capability of measurements as high as 175 �C.

Interfacial tension measurements at elevated temperatures/pressure

245th National Meeting (2013)

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