Characterization and potential utilization of Whiterocks (Utah) tar sand bitumen

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Fuel Science and Technology International; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08843759108942326· OSTI ID:5568188

Tsai, C H; Deo, M D; Hanson, F V; Oblad, A G ^[1]

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1. Lab. of Coal Science, Synthetic Fuels and Catalysis, Dept. of Fuels Engineering, Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (US)

This paper reports on the native Whiterocks (Utah) tar sand bitumen that was separated into several boiling range fractions for detailed analysis and characterization. The lighter fraction (477-617 K) was evaluated for use as a transportation fuel and the residues ({gt}617 K and {gt}728 K) were evaluated for use as road asphalts. The 617 K plus residue from the Whiterocks bitumen can be classified as a viscosity grade AC-10 asphalt whereas the 728 K plus residue failed to meet asphalt specifications. Apart from the asphalt specification tests, several sophisticated techniques were used to characterize these fractions. The detailed structure of the low molecular weight portions of Whiterocks bitumen (477-617 K and 617-728 K) was determined by combined GC-MS. Several physical properties were also measured to evaluate the potential of the 477-617 K fraction as a high density/energy aviation turbine fuel. This lower molecular weight fraction of the bitumen contained predominantly naphthenic hydrocarbons and lesser concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons. This was confirmed by the FTIR spectra and by the GC-MS analyses. As a result, the 477-617 K fraction appeared to be an excellent candidate as a feedstock for the production of high density, aviation turbine fuels following mild hydrotreating.

• OSTI ID: 5568188
• Journal Information: Fuel Science and Technology International; (United States), Journal Name: Fuel Science and Technology International; (United States) Vol. 9:10; ISSN FSCTE; ISSN 0884-3759
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040500* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Properties & Composition
040600 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Products & By-Products
ASPHALTS
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLASSIFICATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MINERAL OILS
NORTH AMERICA
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OIL SANDS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM FRACTIONS
ROADS
SHALE OIL
SPECIFICATIONS
TAR
TAR SAND TRIANGLE DEPOSIT
TESTING
USA
UTAH
VISCOSITY