Hydrocarbon group type analysis of petroleum heavy fractions using the TLC-FID technique

Hydrocarbon group type analysis is important in all conversion processes and in preparation of feed for these conversion processes so as to learn the selectivity of the different type of catalysts for product yield and quality. The use of the Mark 5 Iatroscan detector and the method reported here allowed for a rapid and quantitative hydrocarbon group type analysis of petroleum residues without prior separation of asphaltenes. SARA type analyses of petroleum residues have been performed by a three stage development using n-hexane, toluene and DCM (95%):MeOH (5%). The standard deviation and coefficient of variation in repeated measurements by this method were as low as 0.65 wt% or less and 3.5 wt% or less, respectively. The time required for analysis of 10 samples could be as short as 90 min.     

Chromatographic methods for petroleum fractions analysis

The state-of-the-art problem of the analysis of various petroleum fractions by the methods of high performance liquid and capillary gas chromatography, IR-spectroscopy, and mass-spectrometry has been considered. The core principle of high performance liquid chromatography as the principal method for petroleum fractions’ separation has been described. Some methods for the chemical modification of domestic silica have been presented. Methods for aromatic hydrocarbons in benzine, kerosene, and diesel petroleum fractions by the chromatography method have been described.     

Pyrolysis of petroleum fractions

Dynamic kinetic analyses were performed on different Brazilian petroleum fractions by thermogravimetry. The data were treated by a multiple heating rate methodology. The apparent activation energies for the light and middle fractions within the range of 62–74 kJ mol⁻¹ and for heavy distillation residues were within the range of 80–100 kJ mol⁻¹ at lower conversions and 100–240 kJ mol⁻¹ at higher conversions. The kinetic study can be a criterion for tells apart the main phenomena involved in the thermal behavior of the refinery feedstock.     

GC-IR based two-dimensional structural group analysis of petroleum products

To characterize petroleum products, a method based on the combination of IR-spectrometric structural group analysis, GC-simulated boiling analysis and multivariate regression techniques (PLS, PCR) has been developed. The best performance was achieved by a PLS regression model with six aliphatic and aromatic structural groups. Thereby, structural group distribution related to the boiling temperature could be obtained in order to quantify product-specific distribution parameters and to control material-conversion processes caused by biodegradation.     

Phase behaviour of heavy petroleum fractions in pure propane and n-butane and with methanol as co-solvent

This work reports phase equilibrium experimental results for heavy petroleum fractions in pure propane and n-butane as primary solvents and using methanol as co-solvent. Three kinds of oils were investigated from Marlim petroleum: a relatively light fraction coming from the first distillation of crude petroleum at atmospheric pressure (GOP – heavy gas oil of petroleum), the residue of such distillation (RAT) and the crude petroleum sample. Phase equilibrium measurements were performed in a high-pressure, variable-volume view cell, following the static synthetic method, over the temperature range of 323 K to 393 K, pressures up to 10 MPa and overall compositions of heavy component varying from 1 wt% to 40 wt%. Transition pressures for low methanol and oil concentrations were very close for GOP, RAT, and crude Marlim when using propane as the primary solvent. Close to propane critical temperature, two and three-phase transitions were observed for GOP and Marlim when methanol was increased. When n-butane was used as primary solvent, all transitions observed were of (vapour + liquid) type with transition pressure values smaller than those obtained for propane.     

Challenge in the speciation of nitrogen-containing compounds in heavy petroleum fractions by high temperature comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Extending the knowledge related to nitrogen-containing compounds presents an important interest for the petroleum industry due to their implication in atmosphere pollution as well as their inhibitive or refractive behaviour towards hydroprocessing. Most of the nitrogenated species are concentrated in heavy petroleum cuts. As no analytical method is resolutive enough for these heavy cuts, particularly regarding nitrogen-containing compounds, a new approach is needed. For this reason, this study focuses on the development of a GC×GC technique, through the hyphenation of a specific NCD detector with a GC×GC system at high temperature. The performances of highly polar thermally stable stationary phases, in particular those composed of promising ionic liquids, were monitored in normal and reversed configurations. Subsequently, after the extraction of neutral or basic compounds by adsorption on an ion-exchange resin, a first quantitative determination was attempted for a straight-run and a direct coal liquefaction vacuum gas oils. This study led to a better understanding of the behaviour of highly aromatic N-compounds by 2D-GC including an ionic liquid phase as well as a deeper N-characterization of heavy petroleum fractions.     

Simplified determination of the normal paraffin content of petroleum fractions

Summary A greatly simplified method for the determination of the total normal paraffin content in petroleum fractions is described where the use of open-tubular columns and up-to-date data handling contribute to the criterion of separation before quantitation.     

Hydrocarbon type analysis by gas chromatograph using a single capillary column and a multi-column valve system

Summary Two different gas chromatographic methods are used for the determination of hydrocarbon type distribution in naphtha and gasoline samples with final boiling points up to 275 °C. The methods are based either on a single capillary column or on a valve-switched packed column system. Both methods give extensive information on paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics in total as well as by carbon-number. In each case the analysis is fully automated with a computer controlling the entire analysis from injection to results presentation. The advantages and limitations of both methods are discussed.Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982     

Hydrocarbon type analysis by thin-layer chromatography with flame-ionization detection: vacuum gas oils, heavy feeds, and hydroprocessed products

Thin-layer chromatography with flame-ionization detection (TLC-FID) provides quantitative hydrocarbon type data as well as distribution of aromatics by ring number. This method has been applied to obtain amounts of saturates, aromatics, and polars in heavy oil distillates such as light vacuum gas oils and heavy vacuum gas oils derived from different crude sources. TLC-FID chromatograms and resultant quantitative hydrocarbon type data show that these distillates vary markedly in aromatic contents and aromatic ring types. Similar observations are made with several fluid catalytic cracking feeds. Effects of process parameters such as operating pressure and temperature on hydroconversion of aromatics and polars from a heavy oil are assessed by TLC-FID. It has been demonstrated that there is a preferential reduction of higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polars with an increase of both hydrogen partial pressure and reactor temperature.     

石油中间馏分中异构烷烃的分子识别

以石油加氢异构中间馏分及直馏柴油为研究对象,采用气相色谱/质谱联用技术对异构烷烃的分子形态进行了研究。实验表明各碳数异构烷烃组分在毛细管气相色谱柱上表现出明显的按取代基个数簇分离的现象。对异构烷烃的异构程度进行了表征,得到不同取代基个数的异构烷烃的保留指数(RI)定性表;同时根据化合物的质谱断裂规律,参考文献数据并结合碳数及沸点规律,对73种甲基取代的异构烷烃及10种生物标记的化合物单体进行了结构定性,并计算了保留指数。为在分子水平上认识航空煤油及柴油等石油中间馏分中的异构烷烃提供了基础。定性结果表明:在研究的加氢异构中间馏分中,异构烷烃主要由单取代基和二取代基的异构烷烃组成;而在直馏柴油中,单取代基异构烷烃和类异戊二烯类生物标记化合物丰度较高。     

The use of poorly resolved gas chromatographic curves for the analysis of binary mixtures of petroleum fractions

Blends of petroleum products are usually made from fractions which contain preponderantly the same compounds. Only the relative abundances vary. A calculation of the contribution of each blended fraction is theoretically possible with the aid of the gas Chromatographic elution curve even though resolution is uniformly poor in such complex systems. An elementary mathematical analysis is made to show what conditions must maintain. Experimental evidence is presented to indicate that the necessary conditions can be realized for petroleum blends. Binary mixtures of complex fractions may be analyzed with an accuracy of better than 10% and only normal attention to detail need be observed.     

Influence of petroleum fractions on the process of methane hydrate self-preservation

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Gamma radiolysis of a heavy petroleum fraction

A relatively heavy petroleum fraction called distillate aromatic extract (DAE) which has been proposed to be the carrier of the emission bands of certain astronomical objects like protoplanetary nebulae (PPNe) and the so-called unidentified infrared bands (UIBs), has been radiolyzed with -radiation to a total dose of 1 MGy. The stability of DAE toward radiation was assessed by FT-IR and electronic spectroscopy. The gases produced during radiolysis have been identified by GC. They were essentially H₂ and CH₄. A certain degree of crosslinking has been verified on the radiation-processed material by measuring the hexane insoluble fraction of DAE, which increased dramatically after the radiation treatment. Further analyses were conducted using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on the radiation processed sample in comparison to the pristine sample.     

Generalized correlation for predicting the kinematic viscosity of liquid petroleum fractions

A two-parameter viscosity model proposed previously for pure liquids is extended to correlate the kinematic viscosity–temperature behavior for liquid petroleum fractions. The coefficients in the viscosity equation are related to the characterization properties of the petroleum fractions and a generalized kinematic viscosity–temperature correlation is then developed, which needs only specific gravity at 15.6°C and 50% boiling point as input parameters. The present method, when tested by predicting the experimental kinematic viscosities of 47 fractions from 15 world crude oils with total 250 data points, yielded reasonable results with an overall average absolute deviation of 4.2%.     

Chromatographic characterization of high‐boiling petroleum fractions

Detailed investigation of solvent‐separated fractions of petroleum vacuum residues is necessary for understanding the separation mechanism using different solvents and to prepare better feedstocks for secondary conversion processes. The efficiency of different solvents to remove polars and insolubles from vacuum residues (of two Indian crude oils) has been studied. The solvents used were n‐heptane, n‐hexane, and n‐pentane (non‐polar) and ethyl acetate (polar). Soluble fractions were characterized for hydrocarbon group type analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), average molecular weights using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and boiling point distribution using high temperature gas chromatography (HTGC). Method development for HPLC analysis involved the study of parameters such as columns, solvent polarity, detectors, model compounds study, calibration, flow, and solvent gradient programming. The study demonstrated that ultimate soluble fractions have the least content of polar structures of the kind which can cause problems, during cracking and are least prone to cracking. The HPLC, SEC, and simulated distillation (SIMDIS) methods developed and standardized are simple, accurate, and suitable for the rapid assay needed for quick compositional surveys.     

Geochemical fractions and modeling adsorption of heavy metals into contaminated river sediments in Japan and Thailand determined by sequential leaching technique using ICP-MS

In order to provide information on the chemical processes in sediment fractions and their adsorption models, we investigated the contaminated sediments of the Sumida River in Tokyo, Japan and the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Samples were leached through a sequential leaching technique to perform metal concentration analysis for the sediment fraction assessment and then samples were tested for the model adsorption of the highest level of sediments contaminated by heavy metals using the isotherm Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Metal (Pb, Cd, Zn, As, Cu, Ca, Fe, and Mn) concentration in the leached solutions was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The pattern of geochemical fractions in both sediment samples showed the maxima leached levels of Cd (38.6 %), Ca (55.2%), and Mn (41.3%) in the soluble fraction; Pb (52.1%), and Zn (56.7%) in the reducible fraction; Cu (61.2%) in the oxidizable fraction; and As (47.1%) and Fe (55.9%) in the residual fraction. The total level fractions of Pb (62.6 ppm), Zn (240 ppm), As (27.2 ppm), Fe (16,636 ppm) and Mn (419 ppm) in the Chao Phraya River sediments were higher compared to those in the Sumida River, indicating the high anthropogenic effect in Bangkok. In the most contaminated sediments, the higher adsorption capacity of heavy metal concentrations was contributed by SiO_2, CaCO_3, and Al₂O₃ determined by the X-ray diffraction and organic contents. The model of adsorption of Cd fitted to the linear form of Langmuir’s equation with the correlation coefficients (r² = 0.94), b (0.467) and k (7137), whereas Pb, Cu, Cr, and Zn conformed to the model of the Freundlich equation.     

Kinetic study on catalytic cracking of Brazilian high-boiling-point petroleum fractions

This work proposed a technique to estimate the kinetic parameters of cracking reaction. High-boiling-point petroleum fractions (>623.15?K) were analyzed. The experiments were performed using a thermal analysis system with a differential scanning calorimetry module at different linear heating rates (15, 20, 25, and 30?K?min^?1) in the temperature range from 303.15 to 823.15?K. The Arrhenius, Kissinger, and Flynn?COzawa?CWall methods were used to determine the kinetic parameters. The compensation effect and the dependence on the activation energy of the conversion degree were evaluated. The catalyst used was a typical FCC regenerated catalyst containing 48.3?mass% of alumina, and particle size of 67???m. The effect of catalyst loading was studied using 3, 5, and 10?mass%. Analysis of the DSC curves showed a major transitional stage between 693.15 and 723.15?K, identified as an endothermic region of high temperature oxidation (HTO). Empirical kinetic models were produced and data were obtained from the kinetic analysis of the HTO region. Under non-isothermal heating conditions higher activation energies were found as the API gravity of the high-boiling-point petroleum fraction decreased. On the other hand, the results showed consistent effects for the dependence of the activation energy on the extent of cracking conversion under non-isothermal conditions, showing a decrease with the extent of conversion. The catalytic loading effect is remarkable, and provides an alternative route for the cracking with lower activation energy with increasing catalyst weight. The kinetic parameters formulated will be used in the mathematical modeling of the reactive molecular distillation process for upgrading high-boiling-point petroleum fractions.     

Packed column SFC of gas oils part I: Hydrocarbon group separation using pure carbon dioxide

In this paper, the critical application of the ASTM method to hydrocarbon group separation in gas oils using conventional packed column SFC coupled to FID is described. Resolution of model compounds is studied using a recent commercial apparatus and the chromatographic conditions such as pressure, temperature, and density of the mobile phase and the nature of the stationary phase after FID detection conditions have been selected to give the best sensitivity. Three gas oils differing in composition (ratio arimatic/non-aromatic hydrocarbons)have been selected to evaluate the method for separation of the non-aromatic hydrocarbon group from mono-, di-, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons groups (sub-aromatic groups). The ASTM requiements for this analysis are very easy to obtain in adsorption chromatography. However, in adsorption or normal phase chromatography, SFC results cannot be perfect either for the quantification of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon fractions because there is still an overlap between the two groups (the separation is better in adsorption chromatography than in normal phase chromatography) or for sub-aromatic fractionation (the separation is better in normal phase chromatography than in adsorption chromatography); combination of both separation techniques only improves the sub-aromatic group fractionation. Thus, further enhancement of resolution for group and sub-group separation is needed.