Calculation of Dipole Moment of Fractal Asphaltene Cluster

Abstract

Computer simulation has been used to investigate the cluster formation of the asphaltenes. Asphaltene nanoaggregates, forming a cluster, possessed permanent dipole moments. The influence of various factors, namely, temperature of the medium, size and dipole moment of the nanoaggregates, on the dipole moment of the asphaltene cluster was studied. The orientation interactions between the nanoaggregates were demonstrated to rise with increasing specific dipole moment of the nanoaggregates. It is has been found that the dipole moment of the asphaltene cluster varies according to power law in relation to the number of the nanoaggregates, forming the cluster.

Keywords:

• Asphaltenes
• computer simulation
• crude oil
• dipole moment
• nanoaggregates