Asphaltene Removal Solvent Mixture for Low Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing asphaltenes precipitated during crude oil extraction and transport are inefficient, particularly at low temperatures, and often result in residue formation that blocks extraction channels, while also being difficult to prepare and transport stably.
Innovation Solution
A solvent mixture comprising aromatic compounds, aliphatic compounds, acetate components, and keto groups, calculated to achieve specific Hansen solubility parameters, ensuring complete dissolution of asphaltenes without residue and stability for transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solvent methods are used to remove asphaltenes, then some asphaltene removal is achieved, but complete dissolution is not achieved especially at low temperatures, resulting in residue formation that blocks extraction channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite solvent system comprising multiple components: aromatic hydrocarbons (10-50 wt%), aliphatic hydrocarbons (30-60 wt%), and ketone compounds (5-20 wt%). This composite approach combines the strengths of different solvent types to achieve complete asphaltene dissolution across varying temperatures, eliminating residues that would block extraction channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific Hansen solubility parameters (δd: 17-20 MPa^0.5, δp: 2-5 MPa^0.5, δh: 1-4 MPa^0.5) to ensure the solvent mixture maintains effective dissolving power across a wide temperature range including low temperatures, preventing asphaltene precipitation and residue formation.
2Reliability
If polymer-based asphaltene inhibitors are used, then asphaltene precipitation is inhibited, but the polymer becomes separated from the mixture at low temperatures, blocking the crude oil extraction channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces polymer-based inhibitors with a small-molecule solvent system that does not suffer from low-temperature phase separation. The solvent mixture achieves asphaltene inhibition through coordinated molecular interactions rather than polymer networks, ensuring stability across the full operating temperature range without the need for large macromolecules that separate at low temperatures.
3Reliability
If complex solvent mixtures are prepared for asphaltene removal, then dissolution effectiveness is improved, but preparation difficulty and transportation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific Hansen solubility parameter ranges for the solvent components rather than requiring exact compositions. This parameter-based specification allows flexibility in preparation while ensuring effectiveness, and the components are selected to be readily available and easily transportable in their pure forms, simplifying logistics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solvent mixture effectively dissolves asphaltenes completely, maintaining production continuity, safety, and environmental sustainability, with a high flash point and ease of preparation, suitable for various asphaltenes and operating conditions, including low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
A solvent mixture comprising aromatic compounds, aliphatic compounds, acetate components, and keto groups, calculated to achieve specific Hansen solubility parameters, ensuring complete dissolution of asphaltenes without residue
Data Source
AI summary
A mixture comprising: a) from 0% to 95% of aromatic compounds and / or polycyclic aromatic compounds, said polycyclic aromatic compounds, if present, always being in an amount less than 10% with respect to component (a); b)from 0% to 85% of a mixture containing aliphatic compounds and a content of aromatic compounds lower than 30% with respect to (b); c) from 0% to 20% of an acetate component; d) from 1% to 50% of a mixture of compounds containing keto groups; with the proviso that said solvent mixture contains at least three components, one of which is (d) and the other two selected from (a), (b) or (c) and that their sum is always 00%; and with the proviso that said mixture has a solubility, measured with the Hansen parameters, characterized in that the dispersion force component of the solubility δd varies from 17 to 20 Mpa^0.5 the polar force component of the solubility δp varies from 0.65 to 5 Mpa^0.5, and the strength of the hydrogen bond component of the solubility δh varies from 0.65 to 5 MPa^0.5.