  As the most complex and heaviest component in bitumen, asphaltene
precipitation induced by solvent dilution is important in oil sands extraction
to remove solids and water from bitumen froth through dilution by paraffinic
solvents. This review will compare asphaltene precipitation to dilution-induced
solvent shifting in aqueous systems via the ouzo effect. We attempt to
highlight similarities and differences in the evolution of nanodroplets and
effects from solvent mixing conditions and point out mutual experimental
techniques and modeling approaches for the research of both asphaltene
precipitation and nanodroplet formation. The review will start from basic
concepts in both asphaltene precipitation and the ouzo effect, then move on to
the effects of solvent mixing on asphaltene precipitation in bulk. After that,
we will introduce advances in microfluidic systems combined with cutting-edge
experimental and simulation tools for asphaltene precipitation induced under
controlled mixing with solvents and a droplet formation. Such comparison will
inspire more in-depth understanding and control of asphaltene precipitation and
the ouzo effect in aqueous systems.
