PEPTIZATION OF ASPHALTENE BY VARIOUS OIL SOLUBLE AMPHIPHILES

The dispersion of asphaltene in heptane by different oil soluble amphiphiles was investigated. Alkyl phenols show good peptizing properties and partially lose their capacity when oxyethylenic groups are incorporated into the molecule. Primary aliphatic amines also show some ability to disperse asphaltene, but long chain aliphatic alcohols and alkyl benzenes are rather inefficient. Asphaltene solutions in toluene containing alkyl phenols are less sensitive to precipitation by the addition of low molecular weight alkanes. The asphaltene adsorption onto quartz was also reduced by the addition of amphiphiles.