Physicochemical Characterization of Asphaltenes Using Microfluidic Analysis
Nataira M. Pagán Pagán, Zhuqing Zhang, Thao Vy Nguyen, Amanda B. Marciel, Sibani Lisa Biswal
Abstract
imaging that can be combined with other chemical characterization methods to give details of how oil, water, and added chemicals interface with pore-scale detail. This review article aims to showcase how microfluidic devices offer new physical, chemical, and dynamic information on the behavior of asphaltenes. Specifically, asphaltene deposition and related flow assurance problems, interfacial properties and rheology, and evaluation of remediation strategies studied in microchannels and microfluidic porous media are presented. Examples of successful applications that address key asphaltene-related problems highlight the advances of microscale systems as a tool for advancing the physicochemical characterization of complex fluids for the oil and gas industry.