(53a) Explanation of Asphaltene Phase Behavior
AIChE Annual Meeting
2016
2016 AIChE Annual Meeting
Engineering Sciences and Fundamentals
Thermodynamics Needs of the Chemical Industry
Sunday, November 13, 2016 - 3:35pm to 3:55pm
Predicting asphaltene flow assurance issues requires the ability to model phase behavior of asphaltenes as a function of temperature, pressure, and composition. In this presentation, we review some recent approaches to model asphaltene phase behavior. We also present a method to characterize crude oil including asphaltenes using the Perturbed Chain form of the Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT). The theory accurately predicts crude oil bubble point and density as well as asphaltene precipitation conditions. The theory is used to examine the effects of gas injection, oil based mud contamination, and asphaltene polydispersity on the phase behavior of asphaltenes. The analysis produces some interesting insights into field and laboratory observations of asphaltene phase behavior.