Asphaltene aggregates fractal restructuring model, a population balance approach

Abstract

new population balance model is developed to predict asphaltene fractal aggregates size distribution. Asphaltene aggregates fractal dimension is increased when shear is induced to them. Fractal dimension evolution is a dynamic process. This model predicts aggregate size distribution more accurately in comparison to a previously proposed model, which considered that aggregates have a constant fractal dimension. The fractal dimension increases from an initial value of 1.6 to final steady-state values. The final value depends upon the shear rate and is described by an exponential function. This function contains some constants that are calculated from experimental data. The asphaltene size distribution of Iranian crude oil asphaltene solutions in mixtures of toluene and n-heptane are predicted by the developed model accurately Copyright © 2010 American Chemical Society.