Acoustic method for measuring asphaltene flocculation in crude oils

With a view to evaluate the risk of asphaltene to flocculate in crude oils, an experimental device based on an acoustic technique of phase comparison has been developed. The operational method and the results concerning the influence of the precipitant concentration on crude–solvent mixtures at 323 K and atmospheric pressure thus obtained are presented. On the basis of the measurements carried out, it is shown that flocculation caused a sufficiently important change in the output phase signal which thus can be used as an indicator of the phenomenon.