A systematic and critical review of asphaltene adsorption from macroscopic to microscopic scale: Theoretical, experimental, statistical, intelligent, and molecular dynamics simulation approaches

Adsorption of asphaltene onto mineral or metal surface is an undesirable process with several adverse effects such as wettability alteration, fouling pipelines/equipment, permeability reduction, and clogging of porous media. Adsorption science plays a pivotal role affecting almost every aspect of the oil industry. In this paper, we examined advantages and disadvantages of asphaltene adsorption investigation approaches from microscopic to macroscopic scale. There is a need for systematic investigation of asphaltene adsorption by considering all effective parameters and from different aspects at different scales. Although experimental methods, empirical correlations, theoretical modeling, intelligent approach (macroscopic scale) are considered as reliable methods for asphaltene adsorption process but cannot provide any information at atomic level. The focus of recent researches on asphaltene adsorption onto surface is on using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to find the interaction force between asphaltene and surfaces under different conditions. We highlighted asphaltene adsorption process using experimental techniques, modeling, and MD simulations. Furthermore, consequence of asphaltene adsorption, theoretical and practical challenges in asphaltene adsorption research and recommendations are provided for future research. The outcome of this critical review can help to further current understanding of the asphaltene adsorption mechanisms to design more effective agents to reduce asphaltene precipitation in petroleum production and transportation related processes.