A trial for evaluating deposition property of heavy oil using a small pressure chamber

Abstract

Heavy oils such as crude oil and marine fuel oil contain components with high molecular weight such as asphaltenes. These components can cause troubles in the processes of oil production, refining and storage because they are precipitated from oil and deposited on pipes in the processes; however, no methods evaluating the deposition properties of heavy oil have been established. In this study, the authors manufactured a testing tool with a small pressure chamber, where the temperature can be controlled, and investigated to evaluate the deposition property of heavy oil at pressure conditions using the tool.