Phase Behavior and Properties of Heavy Oils

Shaw, John M.; Satyro, Marco A.; Yarranton, Harvey W.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49347-3_8

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 154 publications

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“…The type and number of phases that form in mixtures of bitumen and an n -alkane depend on the proximity to the critical temperature of the solvent and therefore on the carbon number of the n -alkane. Mixtures of methane and bitumen formed either a single liquid or a vapor–liquid region and the solubility of methane in bitumen was less than 2 wt % .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase Behavior of Mixtures of Bitumen andn-Butane

et al. 2019

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The phase behavior of bitumen and n-butane mixtures was investigated at temperatures from 20 to 230 °C and pressures from 2 to 10 MPa. The measurements included saturation pressures, compositions at the onset of the second liquid phase, and the compositions and masses of the light n-butane-rich and heavy “pitch” phases in the liquid–liquid region. The phase compositions were measured in terms of the n-butane, maltenes, and C5-asphaltenes (pentane insolubles) contents. The bitumen component yields were reported as the mass of the component in the pitch phase divided by the mass of bitumen in the feed. The onsets, yields, and phase compositions were insensitive to temperature and pressure except possibly at 2 MPa and 20 °C. The phase boundary data were used to construct pressure–composition diagrams. The phase compositions were used to construct a ternary diagram from which equilibrium constants were determined. The equilibrium constants were correlated to the feed n-butane content and used in a flash calculation to confirm the consistency of the phase composition and yield data in the liquid–liquid region. The phase behavior data for mixtures of n-butane and bitumen were consistent with the trends observed with other n-alkane diluted bitumens.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase Behavior of Mixtures of Bitumen andn-Butane

et al. 2019

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“…One of the main problems found in the petroleum industry is the destabilization of asphaltenes in crude oil. ,− Due to their strong tendency to associate, asphaltenes form deposits, both in the reservoirs and during transport and processing operations, drastically increasing costs. − Variations in temperature, pressure, and composition of the oil during the various production and processing steps can destabilize the asphaltenes, causing them to precipitate. − It has been shown that the aggregation potential is related to asphaltenes composition …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flocculation of Asphaltenes by Polymers: Influence of Polymer Solubility Conditions

et al. 2018

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Sulfonated polystyrene has shown flexible action as an asphaltene dispersant/flocculant as a function of the degree of sulfonation and concentration used. In this work, samples of sulfonated polystyrene with different sulfonation degrees were assessed in precipitation assays in model asphaltene systems, with variation of the asphaltene fractions (asphaltenes extracted by n-pentane and n-heptane, C5I and C7I, respectively), asphaltene concentration, polymer concentration, and medium used to dissolve the polymer and asphaltenes. The precipitation tests were carried out with an ultraviolet–visible spectrometer, and the absorbance values were converted into asphaltene concentration values in solution by using calibration curves. The results showed that the concentration of sulfonic groups at which the polymer performs best as an asphaltene flocculant is 10 mol %. The dependence of the polymer’s effect as a flocculant or stabilizer of asphaltenes in function of its hydrophilicity and concentration was confirmed. Moreover, the results indicate there is a strong relationship between the polymer’s solubility in the medium and its flocculant action, which is significantly more effective when the polymer does not have strong affinity for the medium.

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“…Although the NP dispersions possess similar mean sizes and size distributions, suspensions of the three particles appear different to the naked eye. Au-SC 8 and Au-SC 12 NPs in toluene and Au-SC 11 OH NPs in ethanol appear red; Au-biphenyl NPs appear purple. This difference is quantified in the UV−visible absorption spectra shown in Figure 2.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Classic spectroscopic characterization techniques such as Ultra Violet–Visible (UV–vis) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) underscore the presence of aromatics rings in asphaltene molecules, along with alkanes chains, and the presence of S, N, and O substituted groups . Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR-MS) provides additional details regarding their elemental constituents and molar mass distribution. , Naphthenic motifs would appear to be missed in typical analyses, but their presence has been reported in a recent Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) + Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) analysis . Two contrasting average molecular models for asphaltenes, the “island” or “continental” model and the “archipelago” model coexist in the literature .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR-MS) provides additional details regarding their elemental constituents and molar mass distribution. 10,11 Naphthenic motifs would appear to be missed in typical analyses, 12 but their presence has been reported in a recent Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) + Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) analysis. 13 Two contrasting average molecular models for asphaltenes, the "island" or "continental" model and the "archipelago" model coexist in the literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gold Core Nanoparticle Mimics for Asphaltene Behaviors in Solution and at Interfaces

et al. 2016

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Asphaltenes are a poorly defined class of self-assembling and surface active molecules present in crude oils. The nature and structure of the nanoaggregates they form remain subjects of debate and speculation. In this exploratory work, the surface properties of asphaltene nanoaggregates are probed using electrically neutral 5 nm diameter gold-core nanoparticles with alkyl, aromatic, and alkanol functionalities on their surfaces. These custom synthesized nanoparticles are characterized, and their enthalpies of solution at near infinite dilution and the interfacial tensions of solutions containing these nanoparticles are compared with the corresponding values for Athabasca pentane asphaltenes. The enthalpies of solution of these asphaltenes in toluene, heptane, pyridine, ethanol, and water are consistent with the behavior of gold-alkyl nanoparticles. The interfacial tension values of these asphaltenes at toluene–water and (toluene + heptane)–water interfaces are consistent with the behavior of gold-biphenyl nanoparticles as are the tendencies for these asphaltenes and gold-biphenyl nanoparticles to “precipitate” in toluene + heptane mixtures. Gold-alkyl nanoparticles are minimally surface active at toluene–water and (toluene + heptane)–water interfaces and remain dispersed in all toluene + heptane mixtures. The behavior of these asphaltenes in solution and at interfaces is inconsistent with the behavior of gold-n-alkanol nanoparticles. The outcomes of this formative work indicate potential roles for aromatic submolecular motifs on aggregate surfaces as a basis for interpreting asphaltene nanoparticle flocculation and interfacial properties, while alkyl submolecular motifs on aggregate surfaces appear to provide a basis for interpreting other aspects of asphaltene solution behavior. A number of lines of inquiry for future work are suggested.

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Phase Behavior and Properties of Heavy Oils

Cited by 8 publications

References 154 publications

Phase Behavior of Mixtures of Bitumen andn-Butane

Phase Behavior of Mixtures of Bitumen andn-Butane

Flocculation of Asphaltenes by Polymers: Influence of Polymer Solubility Conditions

Gold Core Nanoparticle Mimics for Asphaltene Behaviors in Solution and at Interfaces

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