Patent ID: 9574981
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: C09K,G01N

Claim:
1. A method of assessing asphaltene inhibitor/dispersant efficacy in a crude oil, the method comprising: a) weighing a first coupon; immersing the first coupon or a portion thereof into a first sample for a first selected time period, the first sample comprising an aliquot of the crude oil; adding a precipitant to the first sample within the first selected time period; removing the first coupon from the first sample at the end of the first selected time period; and drying and weighing the first coupon; b) weighing a second coupon; immersing the second coupon or a portion thereof into a second sample for a second selected time period, the second sample comprising an aliquot of the crude oil and an asphaltene inhibitor/dispersant; adding the precipitant to the second sample within the second selected time period; removing the second coupon from the second sample at the end of the second selected time period; and drying and weighing the second coupon; c) determining the weight of asphaltenes deposited on the first coupon and the weight of asphaltenes deposited on the second coupon; and d) determining the % asphaltene deposition inhibition via equation (1), wherein an increased % inhibition indicates a more effective inhibitor/dispersant.