A Study of the Characteristics in Blended Crudes at the Optimal Activation State: Part II

Abstract

Crude oil blending will change refining yield and properties. In this study, infra-red spectra (IR), synchronous fluorescence spectrometry (SFS), element analysis, and precipitating point measurement were used to investigate the blended crudes with regard to their structural constitution, colloid characters, and molecule interactions at the optimal status on topping yield. The study results indicate that, in residua, the content of sulfur and nitrogen increases, the precipitating point of asphaltene appears in advance, and the association of colloidal particles increases. IR analysis shows that, although the interaction among molecules has some similarities between the blending crudes and refined fractions, the action of hydrogen bonds in resin and the peak intensity of conjugated aromatic ring become weaker. SFS shows that macromolecular aromatic rings (ring number > 4) in asphaltene and resin in vacuum residua are relatively stable.