Simulated Distillation Analysis of Heavy Canadian Crude Oil by ASTM D 5307

Introduction

Simulated Distillation is a GC technique for determining the boiling point distribution of a crude oil stock. This information is useful to refinery engineers in determining the process that most efficiently utilizes a feedstock of raw crude oil. This technique is also used to monitor the refining process to insure the products produced are as expected. When a feedstock oil contains components that are larger than C44 and which boil above 538ºC, ASTM D5307 becomes the analytical method of choice. This method requires that each sample be injected twice: the first time spiked with internal standard and the second time without. An internal standard calculation, outlined by the method, is used to compare the time-slice data of the two runs to determine an initial boiling point (IBP), a boiling distribution curve and the weight percent of residue that would boil between 538ºC and 1000ºC. This study was performed using bitumen samples obtained from the oil sands region of Canada.

September 18, 2008 GMT