Theoretical and practical approach to the selection of asphaltene dispersing agents

To evaluate the interaction forces between asphaltenes and amphiphilic compounds influencing the colloid stability of crude oils during the production, transport and processing, the cohesion energy parameters according to Hansen are used. Calculating the cohesion energy parameters of different homologous series, it was found that a stabilising effect can be expected if the dispersion interactions of amphiphilic compounds correspond with that of asphaltenes and the hydrogen bonds are in the region of 10 [MJ m−3]0.5. Flocculation point determination and thermogravimetric analysis were used to verify this experimentally.