Heavy Crude Oil Viscosity Reduction via Asphaltene Modifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy crude oils with high asphaltene content pose challenges in transportation due to high viscosity, leading to issues like pipeline plugging and reduced refining yields, as existing methods like adding kerosene or using emulsions can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crude hydrocarbon composition is created by blending a hydrocarbon with an aromatic content of at least 10 wt.% and asphaltene modifiers such as aromatic or aliphatic sulfonic acids or alkyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acids to inhibit asphaltene precipitation and agglomeration, reducing viscosity and improving transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heavy crude oil is transported in its natural state, then no additives are required, but the high viscosity causes pipeline plugging and transportation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the crude oil through additive incorporation. The surfactant and dispersant additives change the interfacial tension and colloidal stability parameters, transforming the viscosity characteristic from too high to transportable levels while maintaining the crude oil's fundamental composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactant and dispersant additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the asphaltene molecules and the continuous oil phase. These intermediaries prevent direct asphaltene-agphaltene interactions that cause high viscosity, instead creating stable asphaltene-additive complexes that maintain fluidity during transportation
2Ease of operation
If kerosene or distillate is added to reduce viscosity, then the crude oil becomes more pumpable, but the cost increases significantly and asphaltene precipitation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs small quantities of highly effective surfactant and dispersant additives that act as temporary modifiers during transportation only. These disposable-like additives are incorporated in minimal concentrations (0.1-5 wt%) compared to kerosene, providing the necessary viscosity reduction for pumpability without requiring large volumes of additional hydrocarbon
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining the crude oil with surfactant and dispersant additives to form a stabilized mixture. This composite material leverages the synergistic effects of the additives working together - the surfactant provides interfacial stabilization while the dispersant prevents agglomeration, achieving pumpability with minimal additive concentration
3Stability of the object's composition
If asphaltenes are allowed to agglomerate, then the crude oil maintains its natural composition, but the viscosity increases dramatically and pipeline plugging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating surfactant and dispersant additives into the crude oil before transportation to preemptively counteract the natural tendency of asphaltenes to agglomerate. The additives are present from the outset to prevent asphaltene precipitation and agglomeration, rather than attempting to treat the problem after it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant and dispersant additives serve as intermediary substances that intervene in the asphaltene-agphaltene interactions. Instead of allowing direct asphaltene aggregation that leads to high viscosity and plugging, the additives interpose themselves between asphaltene molecules, forming stable complexes that maintain flowability while preserving the crude oil's natural composition
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 solution effectively reduces the viscosity of heavy crude oils, facilitating cost-efficient transportation and increasing conversion yields during thermal processing while preventing sediment formation and fouling.
Implementation Method 1
add kerosene or other non-polar distillates. Kerosenes or distillates do not disperse asphaltene agglomerates; they merely dilute the agglomerates
Implementation Method 2
one or more asphaltene modifiers selected from the group consisting of an aromatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an aliphatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof and an alkyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid or salt thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a liquid crude hydrocarbon composition containing (a) a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20; and (b) a minor amount of a blend comprising (i) one or more hydrocarbon-containing solvents having an aromatic content of at least about 10 wt. %; and (ii) one or more asphaltene modifiers selected from the group consisting of an aromatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an aliphatic sulfonic acid or salt thereof and an alkyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method for transporting a liquid crude hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 20.