Eight different crude oils—encompassing Wyoming crudes, tight oil, Canadian dilbit, a synthetic blend containing upgraded bottoms, and others—were subjected to hot wire autoclave type fouling tests. Experiments were conducted at around 900 psi with a wire temperature of 320 °C. Despite some loss of volatiles during the fouling experiments, correlations were found between the amount of foulant deposited on the wires and the asphaltene stability of the crude oils. The asphaltene stability of the crude oils was determined from asphaltene flocculation titration measurements and crude oil composition provided by the automated saturates, aromatics, resins-Asphaltene Determinator (SAR-AD). A confirmation of these results was inferred by studying the fouling behavior of a stable crude oil that was subjected to mild pyrolysis at two different durations. Mild pyrolysis of the stable crude oil caused the asphaltene stability to decrease—as measured by the asphaltene flocculation titration measurement and SAR-AD analysis—which increase the amount of foulant collected on the wire.        <br/>

Heat induced fouling of crude oils related to asphaltene stability and composition

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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