Interfacial mechanisms governing acid–brine–heavy oil interactions: quantitative analysis of asphaltene behavior and emulsion stability (opens in new tab)

This study investigates the synergistic influence of 15 wt% hydrochloric acid (HCl) and brines of varying salinity on asphaltene molecular structure, interfacial properties, and emulsion stability in heavy crude oil. Four acid–brine systems were tested. Interfacial tension (IFT), ATR (Attenuated total reflection)-FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) of asphaltene, elemental analysis, viscosity, zeta potential, and droplet size distribution were systematically evaluated. The fivefold...