Abstract
The sorption of solvents in asphaltenes, residual bitumen, and organic matter is of interest in oil sands production and extraction. In this study, we investigate the sorption and desorption rates of cyclohexane in a thin film of asphaltene using a gravimetric method. These data were used to model the kinetics and obtain estimates of the apparent diffusion coefficients. The rate curves for cyclohexane showed biexponential behavior, suggesting the presence of two different transport kinetics. Use of concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients was required to fit the data using Fick’s law. The apparent diffusion coefficients were in the range from 10–14 to 10–18 m2/s, but the values for sorption were distinctly different from desorption. The results suggest a restructuring of the asphaltene film with negligible swelling because of the addition and removal of the solvent.
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