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<p>In this study, a series of solvent extraction experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different single solvents and p-xylene-assisted composite solvents on heavy oil recovery, sand surface wettability, and the interfacial interaction mechanism. Results showed that p-xylene exhibited a distinct synergistic effect with aromatic solvents, particularly toluene, improving heavy oil recovery by up to 3.3%, whereas its combination with n-pentane caused a significant reduction in recovery due to the precipitation of heavy components such as asphaltenes. Contact angle measurements further confirmed that hybrid solvent systems enhanced the hydrophilicity of sand surfaces, with the [p-xylene]-n-pentane system showing the greatest decrease (14°) in contact angle. Zeta potential analysis revealed that sand particles possess a positive charge, while bitumen droplets carry a negative charge, confirming the electrostatic interaction that contributes to their adhesion. This work provides new insights into the synergistic mechanism of mixed solvents in bitumen extraction and highlights the potential of aromatic-assisted solvent systems for improving the efficiency of heavy oil separation. MD simulations further revealed that toluene most effectively promoted the dispersion and diffusion of heavy-oil SARA fractions. Mean square displacement analysis showed that saturated and asphaltene molecules exhibited the highest mobility in toluene, while colloids remained the least diffusive. Radial distribution function results confirmed strong π–π interactions between toluene and aromatic/asphaltene components, facilitating their structural disaggregation. Concentration and conformational analyses demonstrated that all four heavy-oil components gradually transitioned from aggregated states to dispersed equilibrium under toluene solvation. These molecular-scale insights corroborate experimental observations and elucidate the mechanism by which aromatic-assisted solvent systems improve the efficiency of heavy-oil separation.</p>

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Experimental Study on Solvent Extraction for Heavy Oil Recovery Mechanism

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月1日

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  • Wu Wen,
  • Shitao Zhi,
  • Wenwen Wang,
  • Hao Zhu,
  • Cheng Niu

摘要

In this study, a series of solvent extraction experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different single solvents and p-xylene-assisted composite solvents on heavy oil recovery, sand surface wettability, and the interfacial interaction mechanism. Results showed that p-xylene exhibited a distinct synergistic effect with aromatic solvents, particularly toluene, improving heavy oil recovery by up to 3.3%, whereas its combination with n-pentane caused a significant reduction in recovery due to the precipitation of heavy components such as asphaltenes. Contact angle measurements further confirmed that hybrid solvent systems enhanced the hydrophilicity of sand surfaces, with the [p-xylene]-n-pentane system showing the greatest decrease (14°) in contact angle. Zeta potential analysis revealed that sand particles possess a positive charge, while bitumen droplets carry a negative charge, confirming the electrostatic interaction that contributes to their adhesion. This work provides new insights into the synergistic mechanism of mixed solvents in bitumen extraction and highlights the potential of aromatic-assisted solvent systems for improving the efficiency of heavy oil separation. MD simulations further revealed that toluene most effectively promoted the dispersion and diffusion of heavy-oil SARA fractions. Mean square displacement analysis showed that saturated and asphaltene molecules exhibited the highest mobility in toluene, while colloids remained the least diffusive. Radial distribution function results confirmed strong π–π interactions between toluene and aromatic/asphaltene components, facilitating their structural disaggregation. Concentration and conformational analyses demonstrated that all four heavy-oil components gradually transitioned from aggregated states to dispersed equilibrium under toluene solvation. These molecular-scale insights corroborate experimental observations and elucidate the mechanism by which aromatic-assisted solvent systems improve the efficiency of heavy-oil separation.