Investigation of asphaltenes association by a vapour pressure osmometric method

The number average molecular weights of asphaltenes have been studied by vapour pressure osmometry using benzene and tetrahydrofuran as solvents at three different temperatures, viz. 37, 45 and 60°C. The degree of association in each solvent at each temperature was determined and is found to be dependent on the nature of solvent and temperature. Results indicated that asphaltenes could be similar to macromolecules structurally.