Thermodynamic micellization model for asphaltene precipitation inhibition

• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690460219
• Publication Date: 2004-04-16T18:23:36Z
• Authors: Huanquan Pan; Abbas Firoozabadi
• Keywords: Asphaltene

Abstract Aromatic solvents and oil‐soluble amphiphiles are recognized as asphaltene precipitation inhibitors in oil production transportation. In the absence of model describing effect these on from crudes, proposed is a thermodynamic micellization explaining inhibition mechanism for both aromatic amphiphiles. The shows that concentrated micellar shell, interfacial tension between core shell reduced micelles becomes stabler. A crude, mixed with small amount an amphiphile, achieves high stability. behave like resin species crude coadsorb onto resins. adsorption enthalpy amphiphile much higher than and, therefore, can be very effective inhibitors. results suggest data used to screen inhibition. For given this predict required inhibit precipitation.