The Growth and Development of Asphaltene Aggregates in Toluene Solution

The effect of asphaltene concentrations from 10 to 140 mg/L on particle diameter of aggregates is studied by multiple angle dynamic and static light scattering. The particle diameter of aggregates is increasing with the asphaltene concentration rising. The observed concentration for massive self-aggregation of asphaltene is about 80 mg/L. And the process of growth and development of asphaltene aggregates is studied by measurements of particle video microscopy (PVM) and focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) on asphaltene in toluene solution simultaneously. PVM and FBRM provide dynamic images and real-time statistical data of asphaltene aggregates in toluene solution, which can show that asphaltene aggregation is stronger and stronger with the asphaltene concentration increasing. Statistical data demonstrate that small particles are first massively formed in the range of less than 5 μm and 5–10 μm. Then small particles can interact to result in large particles which are in the range of 10–50 μm and 50–80 μm with asphaltene concentration increasing. The number of particles in the range of less than 50 μm is dominant in solution despite asphaltene concentration increasing.