Eco-Friendly Asphaltene Dispersant N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Dodecanamide: A Computational and Experimental Approach for Cleaner Egyptian Petroleum Production

The precipitation and aggregation of asphaltenes in crude oil systems present considerable obstacles to petroleum production, resulting in operational inefficiencies and environmental hazards. This work presents N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dodecanamide, biodegradable dispersant, as an environmentally sustainable solution for asphaltene management. The dispersant's efficacy was assessed using an integrated methodology that incorporates UV-visible spectroscopy, visual evaluations, and computational simulations, in comparison to 18 other chemical additions. The findings indicate that N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dodecanamide exhibits enhanced dispersion efficiency, with an absorbance of 1.74 at 620 nm, surpassing traditional dispersants such as dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA). Spectral analysis indicated no substantial alterations in the UV-visible spectrum of the asphaltene solution following the dispersant's addition, signifying robust physical stabilization devoid of chemical interaction. This discovery corresponds with molecular docking predictions that indicated robust non-covalent binding as the primary dispersion mechanism. These findings underscore the potential of employing biodegradable dispersants for effective and sustainable asphaltene control. This study integrates experimental findings with computational forecasts, establishing a solid basis for the development of next-generation environmentally friendly dispersants. This study promotes cleaner production processes in the petroleum sector by addressing the dual goals of performance and environmental safety. Future research must concentrate on the scalability of these dispersants across various field settings and enhance computer models to integrate dynamic environmental variables.