
Asphaltene deposition can occur during oil production and processing. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of asphaltene deposition in order to improve prediction and prevention of deposits. The capillary deposition technique was employed to study the asphaltene deposition process. The deposition apparatus has been developed to preserve the deposit. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the asphaltene deposit generated confirm that proper mixing has been obtained in the deposition apparatus. To check for wide applicability of the results for Oil A, experiments were performed with an additional crude oil. Similar results were observed for both crude oils, showing that the deposit is roughly uniform and thinner at the outlet, suggesting proper mixing is obtained in the deposition system. In a parallel study, experiments were performed by flowing a previously precipitated asphaltene solution through a capillary. The results show that asphaltenes do not deposit in the capillary after they complete their growth (95 hr aging time) indicating that deposition occurs when the asphaltene nanoaggregates are in the process of aggregating.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
