Macro - size of asphaltene colloidal particles in organic solvents

It is very important to study the colloidal structure of asphaltene solutions, the formation of the colloidal particles, its shape and macro-size to petroleum exploration, store, transportation and processing. In the paper, the macro - sizes of the asphaltene colloidal particles were investigated based on the previous study of the dispersion characteristics of asphaltene in organic solvents (benzene, toluene and THF). A method to calculate macro - size of the colloidal particle from relative viscosity was derived from Einstein's law. And the micro - sizes of colloidal particles of Sheng Li asphaltene in above mentioned solutions were determined. The results show that there are no obvious aggregation or flocculation of asphaltene particles in dilute solutions. The macro - sizes of the colloidal particles are between 8 [similar to] 11 nm. The temperature and the characteristics of solvents have a few effects on the colloidal particles.