A novel inhibitor for controlling Iraqi asphaltene problems

Asphaltene precipitation plays a key role in many flow assurance problems like fouling in production facilities, pipelines and refineries. Several attempts have been made to stabilize the asphaltene and prevent its precipitation by using asphaltene inhibitors. This study provides a novel approach to quantifying asphaltene precipitation using a new class of asphaltene inhibitor (Poly (vinyltoluene-co-alpha-methylstyrene)) which selected based on environmentally friendly, functional groups, and polarity to be effective. The experimental data using Turbiscan suggested that the asphaltene inhibitor makes the asphaltene particles more stable due to its unique ability to interact between asphaltene particles and asphaltene inhibitor molecules via π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding. The involvement of using Asphaltene Inhibition Test (AIT) and the results show that the stability of asphaltene increases with increasing the concentration of inhibitor. However, at higher concentrations more than 6wt. % the sedimentation increase and in this case the polymer can cause the formation of precipitation. The present of asphaltene inhibiton is found about (83%) with using optimum concentration of polymer (6wt. %) after 1 week aging. In addition, the analysis by using Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the Iraqi asphaltene consists of functional groups such as aromatic, aliphatic hydrocarbons, sulfoxide, and aliphatic primary amines functions.