Plasmachemical Modification of Asphaltenes and How It Influences Their Aggregation Behavior

Abstract

The properties of asphaltenes have been changed by modification in water plasma. The polarity of the asphaltenes was found to increase with plasma treament times up to 10 minutes. At longer treatment times the polarity decreases again. Nevertheless, aggregation studies showed earlier onset of precipitation for asphaltenes with longest plasma exposure time.

Keywords:

• Plasmachemical modification
• asphaltenes
• aggregation
• polarity

Acknowledgments

Anne Silset would like to thank a Joint Industrial Programme (JIP1) at Ugelstad Laboratory, financed by oil industry and vendors. Magne Knag acknowledges the Research Council of Norway (NFR) for a Ph.D. grant in collaboration with the Institute of Energy Research (IFE) and Ugelstad Laboratory.