Patent ID: 9120978
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle, the method comprising: contacting the asphaltene particle with an intercalating agent; the asphaltene particle comprising a collection of asphaltene molecules held together by one or more of the following: hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and p-p interactions; and separating an asphaltene molecule from the asphaltene particle to decompose the asphaltene particle; wherein the intercalating agent comprises: an acid comprising H an organometallic compound that includes a metallocene, metal carbonyl, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal; a binary alloy of an alkali metal with mercury or thallium; a ternary alloy of an alkali metal with a Group V metal; or a metal coordinated by nitrogenous compounds.