Title: Method for determining asphaltene stability of a hydrocarbon-containing material

Abstract

A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, it involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter that is higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.

Inventors:

Schabron, John F; Rovani, Jr., Joseph F

Issue Date:

2013-02-05

Research Org.:

The University of Wyoming Research Corporation (Laramie, WY)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1083223

Patent Number(s):

8367425

Application Number:

13/490,316

Assignee:

The University of Wyoming Research Corporation (Laramie, WY)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

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Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T436/255 - including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
Y10T436/25625 - Dilution
Y10T436/25875 - Gaseous sample or with change of physical state
Y10T436/116664 - with automated titrator
Y10T436/212 - Aromatic

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

C10G7/12 - Controlling or regulating

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N33/28 - Oils {, i.e. hydrocarbon liquids}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T436/21 - Hydrocarbon

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N30/02 - Column chromatography

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T436/2575 - Volumetric liquid transfer
Y10T436/12 - Condition responsive control
Y10T436/214 - Acyclic [e.g., methane, octane, isoparaffin, etc.]

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC26-98FT40322

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE