Method and device for predicting the flocculation threshold of asphaltenes contained in hydrocarbon mixtures
US6690453B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and device for predicting the flocculation threshold of asphaltenes contained in hydrocarbon mixtures.The method comprises the following stages:determining the refraction index (nA) of several asphaltenes used as reference asphaltenes;determining experimentally, for predetermined thermodynamic conditions, the variation of solubility index (&dgr;) in connection with the refraction index of hydrocarbon constituents including light hydrocarbons and reference asphaltenes;deducing therefrom a correlation relation modelling this variation of solubility index (&dgr;).These preliminary operations being performed,refraction index (nA) of the asphaltenes of the hydrocarbon mixture is determined under the same thermodynamic conditions and by reference to said correlation relation, solubility index (&dgr;) of the asphaltenes of said mixture is deduced therefrom; andfrom the solubility index of the asphaltenes of said mixture and from a thermodynamic equilibrium model, the flocculation threshold thereof is directly predicted.Applications: fast laboratory determination of asphaltene flocculation risks likely to hinder production and transport of crudes so as to quickly implement solutions…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.