Evidence for the micellization of asphaltenic molecules in vacuum residue
- Texas R&D, Beacon, NY (United States)
Evidence is reported in this communication that indicates asphaltenic molecules form micelles in the vacuum residue of Arabian Medium/Heavy crude oil. A discontinuity in the specific heat of the residue relative to that for the non-asphaltenic oil is observed between 3.5 wt% and 4.5 wt% asphaltenes. There is also the appearance of colloidal particles in small angle X-ray scattering experiments. The radius of gyration of the colloidal particle was measured to be 59 {Angstrom}. The critical concentration for micellization (between 3.5 and 4.5 wt%) is at least ten times larger that those reported for asphaltenes in solvents and chromatographic fractions of crude oil. This may reflect the fact that the resins provide a better environment for the asphaltenic molecules than solvents, as suggested by Moschopedis et al.
- OSTI ID:
- 215060
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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