New Parameter Derived from the Hansen Solubility Parameter Used to Evaluate the Solubility of Asphaltene in Solvent

In order to determine whether asphaltenes dissolved in certain solvents, the Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) of asphaltenes and maltenes extracted from SZ36-1 vacuum residual were measured, and a new parameter Δδtn was obtained by extending the HSP based on the results of asphaltene dissolution experiments. Δδtn was calculated by the relative differences of the components of HSP between asphaltene and the solvent. The rationality of the Δδtn was verified from three aspects: the selection of solvent that can dissolve asphaltene, dispersion of asphaltene in various solvents, and compatibility of asphaltenes and maltenes, which further proved that asphaltenes might be dissolved in maltenes. The Δδtn can be well used to judge whether asphaltene can dissolve in a certain solvent.