Research of Gray Relation Entropy of Oil–Water Interfacial Property to Chemical Components of Bitumen

Abstract

The basic properties, composition, and structure of four base bitumens: Karamay, CNOOC, SK, and Kunlun were analyzed. The interfacial tension between soap solution-stimulant oil and asphalt was investigated using a spinning drop interfacial tensiometer. The relationships between the oil–water interfacial properties and the chemical compositions of the chosen bitumen blends were studied by means of gray correlation entropy method using the MATLAB platform. Furthermore, the relationship between the oil–water interfacial properties and the chemical composition of the bitumen were also discussed. It was shown that in the four fractions of bitumen, the aromatic compound content played a decisive role influencing the oil–water interface's properties. With regard to the elemental composition, the content of heteroatoms and sulfur played a decisive role in the oil–water interfacial properties. For the structure parameter, more aromatic carbon and cycloalkane-derived carbon, a stronger condensation index of those aromatic rings, and a low alkyl carbon content helped to enhance the interfacial activity of the bitumen. The basic properties of asphalt affected its macro-performance, but did correlate with the any measured oil–water interface properties.