Asphaltene Solubility Properties by the In-Line Filtration Method

Abstract

In this work, we report the development of a new analytical method for the evaluation of the solubility profile of asphaltenes. This new method uses a high-pressure liquid chromatograph, but instead of using a column as expected in liquid chromatography, it uses a commercial filter to retain the precipitated asphaltenes. The retained asphaltenes are redissolved in a gradual manner from those that are “easy to dissolve” (low solubility parameter) to those that are “difficult to dissolve” (high solubility parameter) and quantified using a chromatographic detector. The response obtained in this way is related to asphaltene stability and can be used to determine the tendency toward precipitation of the material as well as the solubility characteristics of the asphaltenes present in the sample. The use of commercial filters instead of a column to determine the solubility profile of asphaltenes improves the repeatability, reduces cost, and simplifies the application of the method to routine analyses. The in-lin...