GOALI: Characterization and Dissolution of Asphaltenes

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The proposed research concerns a study of remediation techniques for asphaltenes from crude oil. Asphaltenes are aromatic condensed ring compounds with short aliphatic chains attached to polar heteroatoms like sulfur. Their precipitation in processes related to crude oil production is problematic. This results in the inefficient recovery of oil from rock formations as well as in difficulties processing the oil downstream from the well head. The use of solvents like toluene has been a traditional approach for dissolving asphaltenes but these solvents are falling into disrepute because of their adverse environmental effects. More recently, amphiphile-based alkane fluids have been proposed as improved solvents for asphaltene remediation and this topic forms the basis for the proposed research project.