Asphaltene Removal – The Effect of Ionic Liquid to Asphaltene Characteristics
Crude oil composes of asphaltene, along with saturates, aromatics and resins (SARA) compound. Changes of temperature and pressure during oil production lead to the precipitation, flocculation and aggregation of asphaltene. This condition has caused many problems faced by the oil and gas industry,...
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| Format: | Final Year Project |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Teknologi Petronas
2009
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| Online Access: | http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/961/1/SITI_SARAH_MARJUNIT_7950.pdf http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/961/ |
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| Institution: | Universiti Teknologi Petronas |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | Crude oil composes of asphaltene, along with saturates, aromatics and resins (SARA)
compound. Changes of temperature and pressure during oil production lead to the
precipitation, flocculation and aggregation of asphaltene. This condition has caused
many problems faced by the oil and gas industry, especially during production, refining,
storage and transportation. This project aims to enhance existing method in removing
asphaltene (through dispersion) using n-heptane solvent by replacing the solvent used
for the process with the ionic liquid, IL solvent. The IL solvents used are [EMIM]
toluene sulfonate and [BMIM] hydrogen sulfate. Experiment in treating crude oil and
asphaltene with IL were conducted and mixing effect observed and analyzed by
comparing weight percent, carbon, hydrogen and sulfur content, and also molecular
weight of asphaltene before and after treatment. The experiments were carried out in
two phases - first phase is to treat crude oil directly with the IL and the next phase is to
extract asphaltene prior to treat with the IL. From the experiments that were conducted,
ionic liquid used [BMIM]HSO4 shows potential in reducing asphaltene content. This
interesting finding should be granted further analysis. In the other hand, [EMIM]tos is
proven to increase the asphaltene weight percent, sulfur content and also molecular
weight. This type of ionic liquid tends to cluster with asphaltene molecule, results in
higher molecular weight compared to before treatment. If [EMIM]tos is going to be used
in the industry, it is highly recommended to remove asphaltene that aggregates prior
entering distillation column for fractionation. |
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