Adsorption of maltenes on sodium montmorillonite

Abstract The adsorption of maltenes (hexane solubles) from shale oil onto sodium montmorillonite was investigated with a view to determining its effect on clay wettability and charge. The results were compared with those reported earlier [1,2] for the adsorption of shale asphaltenes (hexane insolubles) onto the same clay. The maltenes were found to be less surface active than asphaltenes. The presence of adsorbed maltene was found to make the clay hydrophobic and decrease its zeta potential in water.