Abstract
In this study, a molecular thermodynamic model was developed to represent asphaltene equilibria and to predict the amount of asphaltene precipitation that would occur from a reservoir oil under influence of a miscible solvent or immiscible gas. The model treats the asphaltenes to exist in the crude in a large range of molecular weights represented by a normal distribution function. The properties of each asphaltene pseudo-component such as solubility parameter and molar volume are obtained based on their molecular weights at given pressure and temperature. Scott-Magat theory along with binary interaction parameter between asphaltene free liquid phase (solvent) and asphaltenes are used to represent asphaltene solid-liquid equilibria and to predict the degree of asphaltene precipitation, the molar distribution of asphaltene pseudo-components in equilibrium solid and liquid phases at various pressures, temperatures and solvent-oil compositions. The model is coupled with Peng-Robinson equation of state for vapor-liquid equilibria calculations. The model uses an iterative Newton-Raphson scheme to obtain solution. The model has four parameters which are determined by fitting the model to experimental asphaltene precipitation data for tank West Sak oil-solvent mixtures. The model is used to predict asphaltene precipitation for CO2-West Sak oil mixtures at various pressures.
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Kamath, V.A., Kakade, M.G., Sharma, G.D. (1994). An Improved Molecular Thermodynamic Model Of Asphaltene Equilibria. In: Sharma, M.K., Yen, T.F. (eds) Asphaltene Particles in Fossil Fuel Exploration, Recovery, Refining, and Production Processes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2456-4_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2456-4_17
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