Synchrotron-Based X-ray Fluorescence Profiling of Asphaltene Deposits: Overcoming Atmospheric and Scattering Interferences for Enhanced Elemental Characterization.

Abstract

Asphaltene deposition remains a significant operational challenge in the petroleum industry, requiring precise elemental characterization to understand formation mechanisms and develop mitigation strategies. This study utilizes Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (SR-XRF) at the SESAME facility to profile asphaltene deposits from four southwestern Iranian oil wells. To enhance technical soundness and data reliability, the experimental spectral window was optimized to overcome interferences inherent in long air-path measurements, specifically targeting the mitigation of low-energy atmospheric absorption and high-energy Rayleigh/Compton scattering. A critical spectroscopic evaluation was performed to resolve the spectral overlap between atmospheric Krypton (Kr) $K_{\beta }$ emission and the Strontium (Sr) $K_{\alpha }$ line, enabling a definitive identification of inorganic mineral inclusions. The analysis revealed complex elemental profiles comprising transition metals (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) and the heteroatom bromine (Br). Variations in nickel (Ni) intensity across samples suggest its role as a sample-intrinsic component, while high iron (Fe) levels indicate a mix of natural porphyrin complexes and extrinsic mineral contamination. These findings demonstrate that by resolving specific spectral artifacts, SR-XRF serves as a robust, non-destructive analytical tool for the characterization and proactive management of asphaltene-related challenges in petroleum production.