Early in his crude oil characterization studies, Boduszynski realized that it was possible to expand the reach of distillation beyond the short-path technique using a separation method based on solubility instead of volatility.  Using this method called “sequential elution fractionation,” he demonstrated that non-distillable fractions followed the same patterns than distillation cuts and that solubility could be used to perform an equivalent distillation for non-distillable materials.<br/>In this work, we performed fractionations based on solubility to examine the properties of asphaltenes extracted from different petroleum sources (materials with and without asphaltene deposition). By separating asphaltenes in solubility fractions, we reduced the complexity and could provide information about property distributions instead of just averages that can be misleading as Boduszynski demonstrated in his work. He frequently illustrated this concept by showing an “average bird” in his presentations.<br/>Our principal objective was to evaluate property patterns in the asphaltenes and their relationship to fouling behavior. Using the data, we developed a series of correlations that link chemical composition with solubility and thermal behavior. Additionally, an effort was made to identify the essential chemical/molecular characteristics that make petroleum materials prone to asphaltene precipitation. It was found that high hydrogen deficiencies and uneven solubility fraction distributions are the main contributors to asphaltene instability.

Equivalent distillation: Examining the properties of non-distillable materials in crude oils

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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