Determining the kinetics of asphaltene adsorption from toluene; a new reaction-diffusion model
File(s)
Author(s)
Campen, S
di Mare, L
Smith, B
Wong, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fouling by asphaltene, which constitutes the densest, most polar fraction of crude oil, poses a serious problem for the oil production industry. In order to obtain a fundamental understanding of asphaltene deposition, it is necessary to determine both the thermodynamics and kinetics that govern this process. In recent years, there have been numerous studies of the kinetics of asphaltene adsorption; however, a consensus on the model that best describes asphaltene adsorption remains elusive. In this work the adsorption of asphaltene from solution in toluene onto a gold surface is investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance inside a flow cell. The kinetics of adsorption depends on the state of the asphaltene in solution, and the adsorption behavior is altered with long-time aging of asphaltene solutions. A model is developed that links the kinetics of asphaltene adsorption to the bulk solution properties in terms of coexisting monomer and multimer states. A large portion of deposited asphaltene is effectively irreversibly bound and not easily removed by rinsing with toluene. The model suggests that asphaltene–asphaltene interactions play an important role in the formation of irreversibly bound deposits, which could lead to fouling problems.
Date Issued
2017-08-25
Date Acceptance
2017-08-25
Citation
Energy and Fuels, 2017, 31 (9), pp.9101-9116
ISSN
0887-0624
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
9101
End Page
9116
Journal / Book Title
Energy and Fuels
Volume
31
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Energy and Fuels, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b01374
Sponsor
BP International Limited
Grant Number
75195/ICAM15 (All)
Subjects
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
Energy
Publication Status
Published