Relation between Nanoscale Structure of Asphaltene Aggregates and their Macroscopic Solution Properties

L. Barré; J. Jestin; A. Morisset; T. Palermo; S. Simon

Relation between Nanoscale Structure of Asphaltene Aggregates and their Macroscopic Solution Properties

L. Barré ^{1, *} J. Jestin ² A. Morisset ¹ T. Palermo ¹ S. Simon ³

* Corresponding author

1 IFPEN - IFP Energies nouvelles

2 LLB - UMR 12 - Laboratoire Léon Brillouin

3 NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology [Trondheim]

Abstract : Some peculiar macroscopic properties of crude oils are ascribed to their densest, heaviest and most polar fraction: the asphaltenes. The comprehension of the origin of these properties relies on a fine structural description of these fractions. We present a nanometre length scale characterisation of asphaltene solutions based on new or recent scattering experiments (X-rays and neutrons) from which structural parameters of asphaltene aggregates (Mw, Rg and A2) are extracted. The mutual dependence of these parameters is consistent with a mass fractal model. This single model accounts for very different macroscopic solution properties. Solvent trapping in fractal aggregates enables asphaltene solution viscosity to be fully predicted as a function of asphaltene concentration. Asphaltene adsorbs at liquid-liquid and liquid-solid interfaces as a monolayer whose thickness is of the same order of magnitude as the characteristic size of the asphaltene aggregate in bulk. Adsorption isotherm analysis, neutron reflectivity experiments and contrast-matching SANS allow one to highlight a densification of the asphaltene aggregates in the adsorbed layer in comparison with the solvated aggregates in bulk. Finally, the repulsive/attractive interaction balance between aggregates can be related to the relative stability of water in oil emulsions and to the stability of hydro-conversion effluents. This structure/property approach allows one to assess the mass fractal model which is discussed.

Document type :

Journal articles

Domain :

Physics [physics]

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Relation between Nanoscale Structure of Asphaltene Aggregates and their Macroscopic Solution Properties

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