Effect of Ionic Liquid on Asphaltene Dispersion

Study of asphaltenes characteristic and the effect of ionic liquid on asphaltenes
dispersion. Ionic liquid is use to treat crude oil in order to reduce amount of asphaltenes
in crude oils. Unstable asphaltenes can cause problems in oil production, transportation
and processing because depositions of asphaltenes during petroleum production can
cause operational problems most of which are total or partial blocking of pipelines and
reservoirs, changes in wettability and equipment damages (stick to walls of conduit and
reservoirs).
This project is to study the characteristic of asphaltenes and the effect of ionic liquid on
dispersion of asphaltenes. Ionic liquid is introduce to treat crude oil originate from
Malaysia. Ionic liquid is use to treat Ratawi cude oil in two different temperatures.
Three type of ionic liquid were used to treat crude oil within two different temperatures.
Amount of asphaltenes before and after treated with ionic liquid is determined and
analyze using Elemental Analysis (CHNS analyzer). Determination of asphaltenes is
using ASTM D-3279. Ionic liquid were used in this project to determine its ability to
reduce asphaltenes in crude oil.
Ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (Bmim OtF) give
the lowest time separation between crude oil and ionic liquid and when crude oil is
treated with Bmim Otf amount of asphaltenes is less than the initial in crude oil.