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Journal articles
Relation between Nanoscale Structure of Asphaltene Aggregates and their Macroscopic Solution Properties
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.
Cited literature [60 references]
https://hal-ifp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02001566
Contributor : Edp Sciences <>
Submitted on : Thursday, January 31, 2019 - 11:35:33 AM
Last modification on : Friday, March 5, 2021 - 3:12:19 PM
Long-term archiving on: : Wednesday, May 1, 2019 - 4:33:31 PM
Contributor : Edp Sciences <>
Submitted on : Thursday, January 31, 2019 - 11:35:33 AM
Last modification on : Friday, March 5, 2021 - 3:12:19 PM
Long-term archiving on: : Wednesday, May 1, 2019 - 4:33:31 PM
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