Effect of Nitrogen Bases on the Structure of Primary Asphaltene Clusters and Dynamics of Aggregation of Heavy Oil Fractions

Abstract

Using the method of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), the effect of nitrogen-containing compounds on the structure of primary asphaltene clusters and changes in their structure and size characteristics has been studied. It has been shown that the addition of nitrogen bases leads to a partial degradation of the primary aggregates of asphaltenes and the appearance of a larger number of disordered “non-compact” fragments in the solution, thereby altering the dynamics of the entire aggregation process. Nitrogen bases also provoke a change in the type of packing of the primary particles of asphaltenes, facilitating the formation of a looser secondary structure of asphaltene aggregates.