Background::
Organosulfur compounds within petroleum have far-reaching consequences
for the refining industry, combustion of petroleum products, and environmental
quality. They induce corrosion in refining equipment, hamper the efficient burning of petroleum
products, and contribute to environmental degradation. In high-density asphalt crudes,
these compounds are predominantly concentrated within asphaltenes. However, crude oils
with extremely high sulfur content, may be distributed across the four constituent families
defined by the SARA analysis of crude oil composition. These compounds, characterized
by differing polarities, can trigger the formation of a dispersed phase, whose destabilization
results in tube clogging issues.
Methods::
The research problem focuses on understanding how sulfur composition affects
the formation of a dispersed phase in low-polarity organic dispersion media for sulfurcontaining
hydrocarbons. It is investigated because the presence of sulfur in crude oil significantly
affects the behavior of dispersed phases, which can result in operational and environmental
quality issues to comprehensively assess the impact of sulfur composition on the
dynamics and stability of this dispersed phase, we introduce a mesoscopic model based on
the master equation. This model considers the molecular structure of system components
and their molecular properties, established through computational quantum chemistry and
statistical thermodynamics tools
Results::
While our research focuses on a two-phase system, our theoretical insights suggest
that increased sulfur content escalates the likelihood of destabilizing the dispersed phase.
This adverse effect can be mitigated by incorporating additives capable of reducing the
polarizability of the dispersion medium. The novelty lies in the development of a stochastic
model to predict the dynamics of dispersed phase formation in sulfur-containing hydrocarbons.
This model considers molecular interactions and stochastic processes, offering insights
into the influence of sulfur composition on phase behavior.
Conclusion::
A stochastic model, based on molecular structure, predicts accelerated formation
with increased sulfur concentration, reaching non-equilibrium steady states. Limitations
include ad hoc transition probabilities and the exclusion of factors like density and
viscosity. Real crudes, with complex compositions, may exhibit different behavior. The
presence of sulfur in the dispersion medium enhances the stability of the dispersed system.
Our work sheds light on the intricate interplay between sulfur content and the performance
of petroleum systems, offering potential solutions to mitigate these issues. Quantitative
results include accelerated dispersed phase formation with increased sulfur concentration.
Qualitatively, molecular interactions and stochastic processes were explored, highlighting
sulfur's impact on phase dynamics.