Michael E. Moir

Determination of volatile nickel and vanadinum species in crude oil and crude oil fractions by gas chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new method using Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) was developed for the determination of nickel and vanadium species in crude oil and its fractions. The method requires a transfer line and ICP injector uniformly heated to at least 350 °C (662 °F) and rapid transfer of separated species from the GC to the ICPMS in heated Argon gas. The Ni and V distributions determined by this method revealed the metal fingerprint of each metal in different crude oils. Fingerprints and yield distribution (boiling point vs. amount) of Nickel and Vanadium porphyrins are shown in this work.

The use of nonylphenol formaldehyde resins for preventing asphaltene precipitation in vacuum residues and hydroprocessed petroleum samples

ABSTRACT This work focused on the synthesis and characterization of nonylphenol formaldehyde resins (NPFR) as examples of active molecules for preventing asphaltene precipitation in vacuum residue (VR) and hydroprocessed petroleum samples. The evaluation for the NPFR as asphaltene dispersants was carried out using the on-column filtration technique at room temperature and near process conditions (195°C). The results indicated that NPFR (molecular weight = 900–4800 Da) are active for the reduction of asphaltene content of gravimetrically separated asphaltene solutions and for VR and hydroprocessed samples at room temperature (35°C) and at 195°C. It was found that the activity of NPFR as asphaltene dispersants depends not only on the type of sample (asphaltenes, virgin or processed) but also on the temperature, molecular weight, and concentration.