Study on the Aggregation of Residue-Derived Asphaltene Molecules

The hydrogen-bonding strength of asphaltenes in Liaohe, Gudao, and Shengli vacuum residues are studied using an in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. The surface tension of different asphaltene samples is determined in benzene solvent, and the aggregation extent of molecular asphaltene is demonstrated by the critical micelle concentration (cmc). At the same time, the molecular weight of the asphaltene in Liaohe. Gudao, and Shengli vacuum residues is measured using benzene and nitrobenzene as the solvents. The bonding conditions of asphaltene molecules in benzene solution are calculated and expressed through the association index' (A(1)). After the three results are compared and on the basis of the research carried out previously, it can be concluded that hydrogen bonding is one of the main factors for the association between asphaltene molecules.