The Asphaltene Dispersant Test (ADT) is used to determine the relative performance of

different asphaltene control chemicals. This test also makes a good visual display for
customer presentations.

These tests are based on the fact that asphaltenes are solubilized by aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g.,
toluene) and precipitated by low molecular weight alkanes (e.g., hexane).

To run these tests in the field, you will need the following equipment and reagents:

 12.5 ml centrifuge tubes

 Centrifuge tube racks
 Eppendorf pipette, 10 to 100 µL
 Toluene
 Hexane

Sample Preparation
Samples for testing can be prepared using either crude oil or deposits, although a fresh crude oil
sample will give a better indication of product performance.

 Crude Oil
o Obtain a sample of dry crude oil or apply heat to remove any emulsion and water.
(Sometimes diluting the crude oil 50/50 with toluene and centrifuging will break
the emulsion.)
o Prepare a stock solution for testing by adding toluene to the 50% mark on a centrifuge
tube and filling the tube to the 100% mark with the dry crude oil to be tested. If you
want to test the crude oil at several points in the system, make a 50/50 stock solution for
each point to be tested.
 Deposits
o Fill a centrifuge tube to the 10% mark with the deposit to be tested.
o Add toluene to the 100% mark.
o Stir and agitate the sample until the deposit has dissolved. (Inorganic solids will remain
on the bottom. You may centrifuge the tube and decant the liquid to separate solids.)
Asphaltene Screening Test
 Prepare a stock sample solution as described under 6.7.1, Sample Preparation.
 Fill four centrifuge tubes to the 100% mark with hexane.
 Using the 100L pipette, add 50L of the stock solution to the first centrifuge tube. To the
second, third, and fourth tubes add 100L, 200L and 300L, respectively.
 Shake each tube vigorously for 60 seconds.
 Place the tubes in the centrifuge tube rack and allow them to stand undisturbed for one hour.
 After one hour, observe and record the percent sedimentation due to gravity in each tube.
 The volume of stock solution that gives between 4% and 10% sediment is the volume that
will be used in the dispersant (ADT) test.
 For running the test at several points across the system, repeat the above procedure for each
sample point. Note any significant differences in the readings from one point to the next. If
sediment readings decrease from one point to the other (for the same stock solution volume),
this indicates asphaltene precipitation between the sample points. Asphaltene control
chemicals should be applied upstream of this precipitation to be most effective. It is also
possible to see sediment readings increase across the system if crudes having different
amounts of asphaltenes are commingled.
NOTE: If more than 300L of stock solution are required to give at least 4% sediment,
this indicates that either asphaltenes are not present or are very well stabilized in the crude.
Asphaltene deposition will probably not be a problem in the crude.

Asphaltene Dispersant Test (ADT)

 Run the Asphaltene Screening Test to determine the volume of stock sample solution to
use in the dispersant test. The volume of stock sample solution that gives 4% to10%
sediment in the screening test is the volume to use in the ADT.
 Prepare 1.25% (by volume) solutions in toluene of each dispersant to be tested. Add
the dispersant to the 1.25% level of a centrifuge tube, fill to the 100% level with
toluene, and mix. This solution makes dosages easy:
 10L = 10 ppm, etc.
 Select enough centrifuge tubes to run a blank and several dosages for each dispersant.
Typical test dosages are 10, 50, 100 and 200 ppm (L). Some crudes may require
higher dosages, up to 1,000 ppm.
 Fill each tube to the 100% level with hexane.
 Add the desired chemical dosage to each tube and mix well.
 Add the predetermined volume of stock sample solution to each tube.
 Shake all tubes vigorously for 60 seconds.
 Place all tubes in the rack and allow to stand undisturbed.
 Observe and record the percent sedimentation due to gravity after 15 minutes and again
after 60 minutes. Calculate percent dispersion from the volume of sediment in the treated
sample (Streat) and the blank (Sblank):
% DISPERSED = 100 X [(Sblank – Streat)/Sblank]
 Notice that as the amount of dispersancy increases, the amount of sediment decreases and the
liquid gets darker.
 It is a good idea at this time to make a graph to use in monitoring the asphaltene control
program. Run the ADT test using a blank and the recommended treat rate and record the
sediment at 10-minute intervals for 60 minutes. Graph the sediment versus time, putting
the blank and the treated sample results on the same graph as shown below. When
monitoring the program in the field (see Section 6.9), run the ADT test on treated crude
and compare the settling versus time to the graph you have made. This makes a good
visual with which to report performance to the customer.

AD T for W ell N o. 1

12
Sediment

10

4 10 20 30 40 50 60
M inute s
2

0 B lank Treated