Could someone guide me as to how to solidify or precipitate asphlatene or isopitch by some catalytic chemical treatment, other than energy consumptive evaporation process?
Thank you
Asphaltenes are solids by definition. Asphlatene precipitation from petroleum is a standardized method (ASTM D6560-12, ASTM D3279-12, IP 143). Strictly, asphaltenes are precipitated with n-heptane; however, you may also precipitate them with n-C5 or n-C6. The lighter then-alkane, the more asphlatene mass will be precipitate because resins tend to co-precipitate.
Yes quite true with Elena's comments but I think it is very important to note that the precipitation is reliance on the polarity of the organic solvents. Since asphaltenes are highly polar meaning that solvents like methanol will dissolve it very effectively. If you use non-polar solvents such as mentioned by Elena, you should be able to effectively precipitate it practically immediately.
However, if you wish to separate the asphaltenes from the solvent, you could either run it through a filter to remove the solvent and other unwanted compounds that has been extracted by the solvent. There are many effective ways that you could separate asphaltenes from petroleum products.
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