Investigation into mechanisms and kinetics of asphaltene aggregation in toluene/n-hexane mixtures

• DOI: 10.1007/s12182-019-00383-3
• Publication Date: 2019-10-23T15:03:52Z
• Authors: Bahram Soltani So...; Fatemeh Reisi; Fatemeh Norouzi
• Keywords: Asphaltene; Particle aggregation; Settling; Particle (ecology)

Abstract Determining the rate of asphaltene particle growth is one main problems in modeling precipitation and deposition. In this paper, kinetics aggregation under different precipitant concentrations have been studied. The image processing method was performed on digital photographs that were taken by a microscope as function time to determine mechanisms. results MATLAB software revealed aggregates strongly time. Different regions could be recognized during including reaction- diffusion-limited followed reaching maximum aggregate size start settling final equilibrium. Modeling has carried out predict based fractal theory. General equations developed for reaction-limited aggregation. modeled using force balance, acting particles. Results show good agreement between laboratory measurements model calculations.