Petrochemical Analysis Research Articles

Gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy in petroleum and fuel analysis.

In the modern world, energy and fuels are of utmost importance. Rapid characterization of petroleum and other hydrocarbon-based fuel is a well-researched field. Gas chromatography has traditionally been used to separate the different species and characterize the chemical content in fuels. Ideally, every molecule would be separated and characterized, but due to the complexity of the petroleum matrix, many compounds coelute. With the help of different detectors, more information can be gained, but there does not exist a single detector that can unambiguously differentiate and identify every compound. Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (VUV) is a relatively new detector that can alleviate many limitations of other detectors. Based on spectroscopic absorption, VUV detection can provide qualitative and quantitative information regarding the composition of different fuels. It also provides certain advantages, allowing the deconvolution of coeluting peaks and differentiation between constitutional isomers. VUV has been used to classify the range of chemical components in many diverse fuel samples. Here, the contributions of VUV detection to petrochemical analysis to date are reviewed.

Quality Management and Optimization of Petrochemical Analysis and Inspection

Quality Management and Optimization of Petrochemical Analysis and Inspection

Research on Safety Level Evaluation of Island-type Petrochemical Park Based on ANP

The inherent dangers of the petrochemical industry and the extreme meteorological conditions in the coastal areas make the island-type petrochemical parks have complicated safety hazards. In order to improve the safety management capability of my country’s island-type petrochemical parks, this paper analyzes the risk sources of the island-type petrochemical parks from the four subsystems of human, machine, environment and management, and uses the network analytic hierarchy process (ANP) to calculate the correlation weights between the indicators. The establishment of an evaluation model for the safety level of island-type petrochemical parks and quantitative analysis of the safety level of island-type petrochemical parks are of great significance for guiding the safety work of my country’s island-type petrochemical parks.

Structure, Rheology, Petrology, and Geodynamics of the Tectonosphere of the Sea of Japan

The geological-structural, magmatic, seismic, and thermometric models of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle of the Sea of Japan region are considered in relation to three-dimensional rheological gravity models reflected in horizontal and vertical sections of density contrast of the tectonosphere. In the crust and the upper mantle, formal manifestations of a right-lateral strike-slip duplex were found, in association with rift-related extension zones and central vortex structures. In the central regions of the Sea of Japan, a mushroomlike low-viscosity zone of typical of plumes is mapped in the depth interval of 60–200 km. The gravity models show signs of Late Cretaceous subduction of the Pacific Plate under the continental margin and Eocene–Oligocene subduction of this plate under the Japanese island arc. The Pacific lithosphere is split into crustal and lower lithospheric plates. The depth and thickness of rigid crustal and lithospheric plates have been estimated, faults of which are observed in rift-related extension zones. Petrochemical analysis of volcanic rocks dredged from the floor of the Sea of Japan confirms the existence of two extension stages, accompanied by volcanism of an initially postsubduction (ACMB), then spreading (N-MORB) and postspreading plume (OIB) nature.

Microextraction and its application for petroleum and crude oil samples

Petroleum is an extremely heterogeneous material. It consists of a wide range of aliphatic, aromatic, and compounds containing heteroatoms such as metals, sulfur, and nitrogen. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods are used globally as accepted analytical methods for petroleum, petrochemicals, and fuels. A major drawback of ASTM methods is that they require multistep sample preparation that consumes substantial volumes of samples. Thus, the challenge in the petrochemical analysis is to develop rapid and simpler sample preparation procedures that can be automated. An assessment based on the current literature, specifically on the sample preparation of petroleum samples, leads to the authors' conclusion that microextraction provides an excellent complement to current methods. In this review, solvent and sorbent-based microextraction techniques in the context of the consideration of petroleum and crude oil, and samples related to the petrochemical industry, are discussed.

Conditions of Early Paleozoic Basaltic and Picritic Magmatism in West Siberia

Abstract ––Geological, petrological, isotope-geochemical (40Ar/39Ar analysis, petrochemical data, and geochemistry of trace elements and REE), and mineralogical researches testify that the formation of the early Paleozoic basalt and picrite complexes of the West Siberian Plate basement was related to the development of the Cambrian subduction zone of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Using the compositions of clinopyroxenes and amphiboles (and also programs of computational modeling), we have established the Р–Т conditions of formation of early Paleozoic picrite complexes. Crystallization of clinopyroxenes began at significant depths (25–20 km) and at high temperatures (1300–1275 °C). Olivine might have formed at elevated pressures (8–7 kbar) and temperatures of 1540–1490 °C. Amphiboles formed, most likely, at 6.1–4.5 kbar and much lower temperatures, 1105–1060 °C. Petrochemical analysis and data on trace elements and REE in the rocks of the studied early Paleozoic complexes in West Siberia testify to their intricate formation involving magmatic systems with basalt (island arc and back-arc basins), picrite, and shoshonite (and also WPB type) melt characteristics. Taking into account the similar geochemical characteristics of the early Paleozoic basaltoids and picrites of the West Siberian Plate basement and the Kamchatka volcanics, we suggest that a considerable part of the studied ancient complexes formed by the model implying (as in the case of the Sredinnyi Ridge in Kamchatka) the action of enriched magmatic systems during the development of a destructive window (“slab-window”) under rupture of subducted plate on the background of common island arc magmatism.

Lithogeochemistry and depositional environments of sedimentary rocks of the upper Vendian and lower Cambrian of the North-West Baltic monocline

«Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Науки о Земле» — научно-теоретический рецензируемый журнал, обобщающий результаты исследований в области геологии, гидрогеологии и геохимии, петрологии и экологии, ландшафтного планирования и геоморфологии, экономической и социальной географии.

Quartz tuning fork, a low-cost orthogonal measurement tool for the characterization of low-volume liquid reagents

Generally, expensive specimens that consume reagents in lesser quantities are characterized for use in multiple industries, specifically in those related to life sciences. In this study, we present quartz tuning fork (QTF) as a highly desirable sensor, which can perform the characterization of three liquid properties with a consumption of as low as 1 µL. By simultaneously recording the resonance frequency, amplitude, and quality factor, we established trends between the different properties (density, viscosity, and concentration) of the liquids. Additionally, simple mathematical functions are also presented that enable the determination of one of the three properties of unknown liquid samples by simple calculations. The proposed QTF-based sensor was successful in the characterization of expensive liquid reagents and the results presented in this work clearly demonstrate the potential of using QTFs as sensing platforms in a wide range of applications including biomedical diagnosis, petrochemical analysis, and environmental surveillance.

A Detailed Look at the Saturate Fractions of Different Crude Oils Using Direct Analysis by Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHRMS)

SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, Asphaltenes) fractionation is a common simplification technique used for decades in petrochemical analysis. A large number of studies are dealing with the different fractions, but overall, the saturate fraction is strongly neglected. Of the very few available studies on the saturates fraction, almost all have been performed using gas chromatographic (GC) techniques. This discriminates the results of the saturate fraction especially since non-volatile, high molecular weight and polar constituents are mostly excluded. Here, for the first time, saturate fractions of different crude oils from different origins are analyzed using direct infusion ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (UHRMS), to study the compositions on a molecular level. Electrospray (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) are used in positive mode. The observed results show the presence of different heteroatom containing classes, with different chemical identities (i.e., presence of thiophenes, mercaptans and cyclic-sulfides in case of S-containing compounds). These results show the high affinity of some specific compounds towards different ionization techniques. Finally, the saturate fraction is shown to include much more than only volatile, saturated and aliphatic compounds. The detected compounds in this fraction present a very wide variety, not only in terms of their carbon atoms per molecule and their aromaticity, but also with regard to their functional groups and structural arrangements.

Characteristics and dolomitization of the Lower Qiulitage Group reservoir in Bachu Uplift, Tarim Basin, China

The characteristics of the Lower Qiulitage Group in Bachu uplift, which originated in the Upper Cambrian period, are not clear. Based on four core observations, identification of 40 thin sections, and geochemical analysis of samples, this study concludes that crystal dolomite reservoirs developed in the Lower Qiulitage Group in Bachu uplift. Intercrystalline pores and dissolved pores formed the main reservoir space, while dissolution pores and fractures were developed in the middle and bottom part of the formation. The reservoir features low porosity and low permeability, and the fine-medium crystalline dolomite reservoir has the best pore structure. According to a petrochemical analysis, the Lower Qiulitage Group reservoir experienced intense dolomitization, with slightly higher content of trace elements Mn and Sr and negative oxygen isotropy. Tectonic hydrothermal dolomitization developed locally under the influence of base faults, and vug pores were filled with saddle dolomites and siliceous filling. The presence of rare earth elements Ce and Eu presented positive anomaly characteristics. It suggested that the CO2 acid dissolution caused by hydrothermal fluids may be a new mechanism for the increase in pores in deeply buried reservoirs, which is worth further study.

Magmatism and Geothermal Potential in Pandan Volcano East Java Indonesia

Pandan volcano is a volcano formed on Tertiary sedimentary rocks from the Kendeng zone deposited in the basin of East Java. In addition to generating petroleum potentials, such as Cepu and Bojonegoro oil fields, this area also generates geothermal potential. As a source of heat from the geothermal system is igneous rock formed from the magmatism process. The type of rock formed by the process of magmatism in the Pandan geothermal system is basaltic-andesitic and hornblende andesite are medium-high K calk alkaline affinity located in the island arc. The interaction of hot rock from post magmatism process with hydrothermal fluid resulted in the manifestation of hot springs and calcite travertine in the study area. Prediction of the subsurface temperature of hot water from geothermometer silica analysis contained in Banyukuning and Jarikasinan show cristobalite Beta equilibrium (70oC) and quartz temperature (120oC). To study about magmatism and geothermal fluid using petrographic method and petrochemical analysis (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry method) to the sample of igneous rock. While to study the fluid type and geothermometer of geothermal fluid using data from previous researchers. This research study is expected to provide additional information on the field of geothermal and magmatism in this area.

Ionic liquids as stationary phase in GC: An innovation for improving food, environmental and petrochemical analysis

Ionic liquids as stationary phase in GC: An innovation for improving food, environmental and petrochemical analysis

Resonance driven regioselective demethylation of berberine. Microwave assisted synthesis of berberrubine and its assessment as fluorescent chemosensor for alkanes

Berberrubine has been synthesized by microwave assisted selective demethylation of berberine. The high selectivity observed in this reaction has been explained and justified by means of computational calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Natural Resonance Theory (NRT). The existence of two resonant structures of berberrubine is the driving force of regioselective demethylation. Berberrubine is a chemosensor of alkanes, and may have practical applications in petrochemical analysis as a ‘mass’ detector because fluorescent response of saturated hydrocarbons does not depend on hydrocarbon chain length. Berberrubine operates via dipole-induced dipole interactions. Likewise, it has two fluorescent forms in acidic and basic media, which correspond to a keto-enol tautomerism. The fluorescent signal for berberrubine and the amplification of berberrubine-alkane signals by heating can be rationalized from the predominance of enol form when berberrubine is adsorbed onto silica gel.

Morphotectonic and petrological variations along the southern Central Indian Ridge

In order to ascertain the effect of geomorphic and tectonic domains on the formation, enrichment, and ascension of the ridge axis melt, structural and petrological data from a nearly 300-km-long axial stretch along the slow-to-intermediate-spreading (40–60 mm/year) southern Central Indian Ridge (SCIR) were studied. The stretch, approximately between 20°30′S and 23°07′S, was disturbed by two major tectonic features—Egeria transform fault in the north and the Gemino Fracture Zone in the south—besides eight other discontinuities of variable dimensions. This stretch was chosen to test the petrological variations and mechanisms of magma supply in four distinct geomorphic and tectonic regimes: a Ridge-Crest-Flank-Valley (RCFV), a Neo-Volcanic Zone (NVZ), a large transform discontinuity (LTD), and an overlapping spreading centre (OSC). The major and trace element geochemistry of 44 glass and 47 whole rocks, extent and depth of melting (Na8 and Fe8, respectively), and melt pristinity (Mg#) of the magma indicate that rocks along this stretch were probably sourced from a reasonably primitive melt generated at a relatively greater depth and later got accumulated in pockets at a shallower level before eruption. Petrochemical analysis, and isotopic composition and ratios suggest that in contrast to largely N-MORB type of rocks at RCFV and OSC areas, the rocks from LTD and NVZ locations show signatures of enrichment to transitional (T) and enriched (E) basalts. A model explaining possible processes of enrichment and ascending framework of the melt at different tectonic regimes along SCIR are discussed.

Multifractal analysis of geochemical stream sediment data in Bange region, northern Tibet

The aim of this study is to quantify the geochemical elements distribution patterns analyzed from stream sediment data and then to delineate favorable areas for mineral exploration. A total of 7 270 stream sediment samples were collected from four subareas and 37 rock (ore) chip samples from five different locations in the Bange region, northern Tibet (China). The multifractal spectra of 12 elements including Au, Ag, As, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, W, Sn, Bi, Sb and Hg are represented by the method of moments, and characterized by five quantitative multifractal parameters. The results show that the multifractality for Cu and Bi in the Gongma area is much stronger than those in other subareas. Both the asymmetry index of multifractal spectra and the variance coefficients of Cu and Bi in this area are the highest, which imply that the distribution pattern of Cu and Bi in the Gongma area is the most heterogeneous. These multifractal parameters indicate that the Gongma area is the most favorable for prospecting Cu and Bi. The results obtained by the method of moments are in agreement with petrochemical analysis and field observation. It is suggested that multifractal analysis can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the ore-forming potential in the study area and to provide new approaches for geochemical exploration.

The composition of the foundered complement to the continental crust and a re-evaluation of fluxes in arcs

Most primitive arc melts are basaltic in composition, yet the bulk continental crust, thought to be generated in arcs, is andesitic. In order to produce an andesitic crust from primitive arc basalts, rocks complementary to the andesitic crust have to be fractionated and subsequently removed, most likely through density sorting in the lower arc crust. The Kohistan Arc in northern Pakistan offers a unique opportunity to constrain the composition and volume of material fluxes involved in this process. In a lower crustal section >10km cumulates (dunites, wehrlites, websterites, clinopyroxene-bearing garnetites and hornblendites, and garnet-gabbros) are exposed that are 0.1–0.3g/cm3 denser than the underlying mantle. The cumulates combine with the andesitic bulk Kohistan Arc crust to reproduce the major and trace element composition of primitive basaltic arc melts. Our petrochemical analysis suggests that fractionation and subsequent foundering of wehrlites+ultramafic hornblende–garnet–clinopyroxene cumulates+garnet-gabbros is a viable mechanism for producing andesitic crust from a calc-alkaline/tholeiitic primitive high-Mg basalt. The mass of the foundered material is approximately twice that of the arc crust generated. For an overall andesitic arc composition, we estimate a magma flux into the arc (11–15km3/yr) about three times the rate of arc crust production itself. Foundering fluxes of cumulates (6.4–8.1km3/yr) are one third to half those of the globally subducted oceanic crust (~19km3/yr). Hence, the delaminate forms a volumetrically significant, albeit refractory and depleted geochemical reservoir in the mantle. Owing to its low U/Pb and high Lu/Hf the foundered material evolves with time to a reservoir characterized by unradiogenic Pb and highly radiogenic Hf isotopes, unlike any of the common mantle endmembers defined by OIB chemistry. The unradiogenic Pb of the foundered arc cumulates could counterbalance the radiogenic Pb composition of the depleted mantle. The predicted highly radiogenic Hf (at rather unradiogenic Nd) of the foundered material can explain the εHf–εNd systematics observed in some abyssal peridotites and mantle xenoliths.

New data on fauna and stratigraphy of the Semibalki locality, Azov Region

Fauna in the Semibalki locality (Azov Region), its stratigraphic position, and its age were considered. The rocks composing sediments with fossil theriofauna were subject to petrochemical analysis. Taking into account the lithological features of the sediments containing this fauna, it is possible to make the conclusion that the fossil fauna remains are allochthons and their age range is somewhat broader than was considered before.

Physico-chemical parameters of Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian plume magmatism in the Paleo-Asian ocean ( data on melt inclusions)

The paper presents new data on physico-chemical parameters of the Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian plume magmatism in the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The data on clinopyroxenes show the plume-related plateaubasalt magmatic systems of the Katun’ paleoseamounts, which interacted with mid-ocean ridge (MOR) magmas. The Kurai paleoseamount consists mainly of plateaubasalt systems, and the Agardag ophiolites represent products of OIB–type “hot-spot” within-plate magmatism. Our study of inclusions showed that the melts of the Katun’ and Kurai paleoseamounts crystallized at lower temperatures (1130–1190 °C) compared to the Agardag ophiolites (1210–1255 °C). The petrochemical analysis of the melt inclusions showed that the Katun’ and Kurai magmatic systems are different from the Mg- and Ti-richer melts of the Agardag ophiolites: the former are similar to the magmas of the Nauru Basin and Ontong Java Plateau (western Pacific), whereas the latter possess geochemical affinities to OIB-type magmatism. The rare-element compositions of the melts of the Katun’ and Kurai paleoseamounts correspond to those of the Ontong Java Plateau and Nauru Basin lavas. The numerically simulated parameters of the Katun’ paleoseamount primary magmas agree with the data on the magmatic systems of the Siberian Platform and Ontong Java Plateau. For the Kurai paleoseamount, the simulated results suggest interaction of deep-seated OIB-type magmatic systems with MOR ones. The Agardag ophiolites were formed in relation to mantle plume activity at the initial stages of paleo-oceanic complexes formation.

Production technology and provenance study of archaeological ceramics from relevant sites in the Alcantara River Valley (North-eastern Sicily, Italy)

In this paper, volcanic-rich ceramic remains from the archaeological sites of Francavilla, Naxos and Taormina (Province of Messina, North-eastern Sicily) were studied by using inclusions as main provenance marker. Technological features, such as temper choice, vitrification degree and firing temperatures, were investigated by polarizing microscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Information on the production centres was obtained through the identification of the source area of raw materials used as temper. Indeed, petrochemical analysis of the volcanic inclusions within the examined ceramics displayed strong affinities with structures/textures and compositions of the locally outcropping mugearitic products, probably ascribed to the eruptive activity of an eccentric vent of Mt. Etna (Mt. Mojo). A local production for the studied pottery samples has been therefore advanced, assuming that the used volcanic temper was easily available from the alluvial deposits along the Alcantara River stream, which is connected to the lava flow of Mt. Mojo.

Petrochemistry of peridotites from North China: Significance for lithospheric mantle evolution

A petrochemical analysis was undertaken of peridotitic xenoliths in volcanic rocks that erupted from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic within the eastern part of the North China craton, and the peridotites as tectonic intrusion in the Early Mesozoic from the Sulu orogen. The results show that the cratonic mantle, which was refractory and existed when the kimberlites intruded in the Paleozoic, had almost been replaced by the newly accreted fertile lithospheric mantle during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. The erosion, metasomatism, and intermingling caused by the accreted asthenospheric material acting on the craton mantle along the weak zone and deep fault (such as the Tanlu fault) in the existing lithosphere resulted in the lithospheric thinning at a larger scale 100 Ma ago (but later than 178 Ma). The largest thinning would be in the Eogene. The upwelling asthenospheric material transformed into accreted lithospheric mantle due to the asthenospheric temperature falling in the Neogene (leading to relatively slight lithospheric incrassation), and finally accomplished mantle replacement. The peridotitic body in the Sulu orogen represents the products spreading from the modified cratonic lithospheric mantle.