Physical Behavior of Asphaltenes

Asphaltenes are molecules which can undergo a thermodynamic liquid−liquid phase separation from sufficiently paraffinic solutions. The asphaltene-rich phase thus formed often has a high glass-transition temperature, and thus a fractal morphology results. Here, we report temperature and time-dependen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy & fuels 2007-09, Vol.21 (5), p.2809-2815
Main Authors: Sirota, Eric B, Lin, Min Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Constitution and properties of crude oils, shale oils, natural gas and bitumens. Analysis and characteristics
Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
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Summary:Asphaltenes are molecules which can undergo a thermodynamic liquid−liquid phase separation from sufficiently paraffinic solutions. The asphaltene-rich phase thus formed often has a high glass-transition temperature, and thus a fractal morphology results. Here, we report temperature and time-dependent neutron scattering studies which elucidate the solution behavior of asphaltenes. The temperature−composition dependence of the asphaltene precipitation phase boundary is shown to be consistent with that expected due to solution theory. We report temperature- and concentration-dependent viscosity data which demonstrate that the high viscosity of asphaltene-containing systems is due to their proximity to the glass transition and the reduction of viscosity with dilution is no more than a plasticization effect, or a reduction of the glass transition with dilution.
ISSN:0887-0624
1520-5029
DOI:10.1021/ef060634c