Petroleum is a highly complex mixture of hydrocarbons and heteroatom (S, N, O, metals, etc.) containing hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon backbones range from saturates (such as paraffins, naphthenes) to condensed poly-aromatic structures. The complexity and heteroatom contents of petroleum increases rapidly with boiling point. The latter have significant impact on properties of crude oils and the way they need to be handled in refining processes.<br/><br/>In this work, we will discuss the types of heteroatoms and their combinations observed in petroleum system, including issues such as the limit of the number of heteroatoms per molecule, and how the heteroatoms are incorporated. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and gaps in the current measurement technology and our limitations in the understandings of petroleum composition.

Heteroatom compositions and chemistry of petroleum system

255th National Meeting (2018)

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