Optimization of the preparative separation of petroleum maltenes by liquid adsorption chromatography

Abstract

Liquid adsorption chromatography on classical adsorbents is most often used for the group analysis of high-boiling petroleum fractions, i.e., their separation into saturated hydrocarbons, mono-, di- and polyaromatics, and polar aromatic compounds. The optimization of a preparative separation of petroleum maltenes into the mentioned hydrocarbon compound classes by liquid adsorption chromatography on dual silica gel-neutral alumina column was performed. Conditions of this separation, i.e., the volume of the mobile phases used, their composition and flow-rate were optimized on the base of detailed analysis of the chromatographic fractions obtained using elemental analysis, UV spectrophotometry, 1H NMR and vapor pressure osmometry. This optimization allows a substantial shortening in time of separation and separated compound class concentrates of a higher purity can be obtained.