Hindered diffusion and adsorption of asphaltene molecules inside hydrotreatment catalysts’ carriers were studied. The system's kinetics was investigated by visible absorption spectroscopy. Asphaltenes were prepared by n-heptane separation and solubilized in toluene at a known concentration and put in contact with a given amount of catalyst support. The evolution of the concentration in the asphaltene's solution was followed, as a function of time, by measuring the absorbance of a monochromatic visible radiation (750 nm) through the asphaltene suspension.
A model based on the “Stefan–Maxwell” equations, that takes into account the volume constraints by the Fornasiero's formulation, which supposes that the molecules collide only by equivalent volume, was developed. The parameters estimation has been performed and discussed. The results show that the diffusional limitations are important in the catalyst used for heavy oil hydrotreatment and the asphaltene adsorption is very strong in this type of material.