Effects of iron compounds on the retention of oil polar hydrocarbons over solid sorbents

Screening of the interaction between iron compounds and asphaltenes was investigated by infrared spectrophotometry. Fe(2)O(3) was found to be the most active compound among the studied ones. Evidence suggests that Fe(2)O(3) affects the H-bonding tendency of asphaltene and resin hydrocarbon group types. Effects of this oxide on the retentivity of diverse solid adsorbents were monitored following the yield of adsorbed polar hydrocarbons from a Venezuelan medium crude oil. In this regard some evidence on the catalytic nature of this effect was found. Water was assessed to be the stronger deactivator and displacer among some mixtures tested to effect the removal of retained polars from the crude, adsorbed onto iron enriched silicagel. Iron sequestering agents appear to improve the displacement exerted by water. Already cited effects are believed to play roles on solid deposits formation during production, storage and transportation operations for which associated iron was almost always found.