Understanding Asphaltene Fraction Behavior through Combined Quartz Crystal Resonator Sensor, FT-ICR MS, GPC ICP HR-MS, and AFM Characterization. Part I: Extrography Fractionations
Nelson Acevedo, Rémi Moulian, Martha L. Chacón‐Patiño, Aurora Mejı́a, Sadia Radji, Jean‐Luc Daridon, Caroline Barrère‐Mangote, Pierre Giusti, Ryan P. Rodgers, Vincent Piscitelli, Jimmy Castillo, Hervé Carrier, Brice Bouyssière
Abstract
Multiscale characterization of asphaltenes and their extrography fractions titrated with n-heptane was performed. Chemical characterization via FT-ICR MS and GPC ICP HR-MS, stability monitoring via QCR, and AFM images of deposits indicate that “island”-enriched samples tend to form fewer, well-organized deposit aggregates, whereas samples with abundant “archipelago”-like molecules produce larger aggregates and less well-organized deposits. The combination of QCR and AFM leads to the conclusion that “island”-enriched samples lead to smaller deposits compared to “archipelago”-like molecules.