REVERSIBILITY AND INHIBITION OF ASPHALTENE PRECIPITATION IN BRAZILIAN CRUDE OILS

Abstract

ABSTRACT A fundamental understanding of the aggregation and precipitation of asphaltenes in petroleum crudes is important for the development of preventive and curative measures for the potential problem of asphaltene deposition occurring during production, transport and refining operations. The question of reversibility of asphaltene precipitation, yet a controversial issue, is crucial for a clear and unequivocal understanding of the precipitation phenomenon, development of mathematical models that describe the behavior of asphaltenes in petroleum fluids, and the design of inhibitors. In this work, the behavior of precipitated asphaltenes in Brazilian crude tank oil samples following flocculant removal and gradual addition of fresh oil was investigated. The results obtained revealed a re-dissolution of precipitated asphaltene particles following flocculant removal and oil addition. On the inhibition of asphaltene precipitation, the capacity of a number of surfactants and block copolymers to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and deposition was also examined. Ethoxylated Nonylphenols and Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide displayed highest capacity in the inhibition of asphaltene deposition. Additional informationNotes on contributorsRahoma S. Mohamed (mohamed@feq.unicamp.br and wloh@iqm.unicamp.br) Watson Loh (mohamed@feq.unicamp.br and wloh@iqm.unicamp.br)