Interfacial and colloidal behavior of asphaltenes obtained from Brazilian crude oils

In this work, we present new data on the interfacial and colloidal behavior of asphaltenes in model aromatic solvents and crude oils and discuss the implications of these data on the aggregation, adsorption on solid surfaces, inhibition of deposition and emulsion stabilization capacities for two types of asphaltenes obtained from Brazilian crude oils. Surface tension measurements in solutions formed by any of these two types of asphaltenes, pentane insolubles (C5I) or heptane insolubles (C7I), in aromatic solvents suggested the occurrence of an aggregation phenomenon of asphaltenes in each of the solvents studied. Viscosity measurements in these same solutions revealed yet another type of aggregation at higher asphaltene concentrations. Both aggregation processes were found to be a function of temperature and type of asphaltenes. For the asphaltenes investigated, C7I was always more prone to aggregation, a characteristic ascribed to its higher asphaltene and lower resin content as revealed by SARA chromatographic analysis, and to its larger average molecular weight as determined by VPO. The effect of temperature on theses two processes confirmed the exothermic nature of both. A number of block copolymers, ionic and non-ionic surfactants, were tested for their effectiveness as asphaltenes stabilizers in crude oil. The results revealed different and distinct mechanisms for solubilization/dispersion of asphaltenes in aromatic (aliphatic) solvents and for the inhibition of asphaltene precipitation in crude oils. The two types of asphaltenes (C5I and C7I) were found to be effective in the stabilization of water/oil emulsions as well as water/toluene emulsions, with larger effects for C7I in water/toluene emulsions, consistent with its greater surface activity and its larger tendency to self-associate. Finally, the interaction of asphaltenes with solid surfaces was evaluated by determining the adsorption isotherms of asphaltenes on silica and activated carbon. The organic adsorbent was found to be much more efficient in removing asphaltenes due, perhaps, to the similar chemical nature of the adsorbing species and adsorbent. In all cases, evidence points to multilayer formation, in agreement with the previously detected tendency of asphaltenes to aggregate.