Work

Evaluation of the Influence of Antifoam Formulations on Asphaltene Aggregates Using AFM and SEM‐EDS

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Asphaltenes, naturally occurring surfactants in crude oil play a pivotal role in stabilizing oily foams during primary oil processing. Accordingly, understanding how antifoam formulations influence asphaltene aggregation is essential. This study investigates the effect of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with varying molar masses on asphaltene organization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). SEM provided morphological characterization of the asphaltene aggregates, showing that PDMS with different molar masses alters both the size and structure of these clusters. AFM offered complementary nanoscale insights, revealing how PDMS impacts the interfacial behavior of asphaltenes. The findings demonstrate that PDMS molar mass significantly affects the dispersion and aggregation of asphaltenes, highlighting its potential for enhancing additive performance in petroleum processing. Overall, this study advances the understanding of PDMS–asphaltene interactions and supports the development of more effective solutions for oil and gas separation in primary processing in the oil industry.

Source: Journal of Applied Polymer Science

DOI: 10.1002/app.58056

Authors: Mariana Teixeira Mendes, Andressa Oliveira dos Santos, Rafael Farias Perez, Osvaldo Karnitz Junior, Claudia Regina Elias Mansur

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Petrobras (Brazil)

Language: English

Topic: Petroleum Processing and Analysis

Subfield: Analytical Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,140

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Petrobras, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro