Solvent desorption of asphaltenes from solid surfaces
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Accepted version
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Date
2017Metadata
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Original version
Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology. 2017, 38 (3), 355-360. 10.1080/01932691.2016.1167609Abstract
The main goal of this paper is to compare the ability of different organic solvents to desorb asphaltenes from stainless steel surfaces. The asphaltenes were extracted from a North Sea crude oil by precipitation. The organic solvents are characterized based on their Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs). The adsorption of asphaltenes was followed by means of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D). The asphaltene desorption efficiency of the solvents tested varied between 20% and 70%, with pyridine as the most efficient solvent. Carbon disulfide was found to be a poor desorption solvent, indicating the importance of solvent polarity. A simple model based on the HSPs seemed to give a good quantitative explanation of experimental desorption experiments.