Influence of ultrasonic treatment on kinetic of asphaltene aggregation in toluene/heptane mixture

Abstract This article illustrates the results of a study of ultrasonic dispersion’s influence on kinetic of asphaltene aggregation in a toluene/heptane mixture. The study was carried out by the method of dynamic light scattering. This optical method allows to measure the size of nano- and submicron particles in liquid medium. This method allows to measure the dependence of the average size of asphaltene aggregates during primary and secondary asphaltene aggregation. The primary aggregation was studied in a solution of asphaltenes in toluene and was initiated by the addition of heptane. Secondary aggregation of asphaltenes was initiated by ultrasonic dispersion of a mixture of toluene/heptane/asphaltene, in which primary aggregation finished and which contained asphaltene floccules. The effect of stabilization of asphaltene aggregates was experimentally detected after multiple ultrasonic dispersions.