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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Recent Developments on the Elucidation of Colloidal Aspects of Asphaltenes and Their Relevance to Oilfield Problems

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Author(s):
Balestrin, Lia B. S. [1, 2] ; Loh, Watson [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Quim, CP 6154, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Oxiteno SA, Av Ind 365, BR-09380903 Maua, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 31, n. 2, p. 230-243, FEB 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Asphaltenes constitute the heavy petroleum fraction responsible for deposition events that may lead to reduced oil production, therefore of great interest for flow assurance. These molecules self-assemble in solutions leading to formation of aggregates that eventually grow towards precipitation and blockages in reservoirs and pipelines. Based on the Yen-Mullins aggregation model, two complementary scenarios are involved in asphaltenes phase behavior: one called thermodynamic, in which interacting molecules and other species can be assumed to be in equilibrium, and a second one, involving interacting colloidal particles, both being described by different theoretical frameworks. For the first, molecular interactions can explain the experimental observations or theoretical models. For the second stage, colloidal forces such as those described by Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) theory, steric particle stabilization and diffusion or reaction limited aggregation processes might control the process. Our evaluation is that this second approach is underrepresented in the current literature. For this reason, this review focuses on describing evidences for the presence of colloidal particles in crude oils obtained with different experimental techniques, drawing attention to this important attribute and we raise a few questions that we believe must be addressed in order to better understand the contributions from colloidal aspects. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/25406-5 - Organizing matter: colloids formed by association of surfactants, polymers and nanoparticles
Grantee:Watson Loh
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants