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Dynamic surface tensions of Athabasca bitumen vacuum residue including the effect of dissolved air
X-S Li1, J A W Elliott, W C McCaffrey
1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada T6G 2G6.
Abstract:
The pendant drop technique was used to measure the equilibrium and dynamic surface tensions of Athabasca bitumen vacuum residue (500 degrees C+) (AVR) between 150 and 280 degrees C. A significant (16%) slow (over hours) decrease from initial to equilibrium values was found. In addition, the effect of dissolved air on surface tension was studied at 150 degrees C by comparing dynamic surface tensions of air- or nitrogen-saturated AVR in contact with air or nitrogen. It was found that the presence of dissolved air significantly decreases the dynamic change in surface tension (from 16 to 5%). In order to perform the surface tension studies, the density of AVR was required. Archimedes method was used to measure the density of AVR from 98 to 335.8 degrees C.
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