Viscous Hydrocarbon Treatment Method by In-situ Asphaltene Inerting

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for treating viscous hydrocarbon containing asphaltenes, which consists in performing the following steps: precipitating at least part of the asphaltenes by adding into the hydrocarbon an appropriate solvent; adding into the hydrocarbon polymerization products adapted to encapsulate the precipitated asphaltenes to inert same.

1 ) A method of treating a viscous asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon, wherein the following stages are carried out:
 precipitating at least part of the asphaltenes by adding a suitable solvent to the hydrocarbon,   adding to the hydrocarbon polymerization products suited to encapsulate the precipitated asphaltenes so as to inert them.   
     
     
         2 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the asphaltenes are precipitated with n-alkane. 
     
     
         3 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein polymerization products are added to form a membrane around the asphaltene particles by interfacial polycondensation. 
     
     
         4 ) A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein di or triamine, or a mixture thereof, and an acyl dichloride are added to form an aromatic polyamide at the surface of the asphaltene particles. 
     
     
         5 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein alkyd resins suited to cross-link at the surface of the asphaltene particles are added. 
     
     
         6 ) A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a siccative acting as an agent favouring cross-linking is added. 
     
     
         7 ) Application of the method as claimed in  claim 1  to obtain a decrease in the viscosity of a viscous asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         8 ) Application of the method as claimed in  claim 7  for pipe transportation of a viscous asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         9 ) A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein polymerization products are added to form a membrane around the asphaltene particles by interfacial polycondensation. 
     
     
         10 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein di or triamine, or a mixture thereof, and an acyl dichloride are added to form an aromatic polyamide at the surface of the asphaltene particles. 
     
     
         11 ) A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein alkyd resins suited to cross-link at the surface of the asphaltene particles are added. 
     
     
         12 ) A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a siccative acting as an agent favouring cross-linking is added.