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Separation and characterization of lignite derived preasphaltenes by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

Conference · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6494751

Preasphaltenes for purposes of this study are defined as that portion of a lignite derived product which is soluble in tetrahydrofuran but insoluble in toluene. The preasphaltenes studied would fall into the seventh and eighth fractions of the sequential elution by solvent chromatography (SESC) procedure. The preasphaltene fraction was chromatographed for size separation using Bio-Beads S-X3 columns and pyridine as the eluent. The distribution and functionality of nitrogen and oxygen were then monitored in the molecular size fractions formed at different operating conditions. The study shows the structure and distribution of oxygen is the most important parameter. Work was centered on the development of procedures of the quantitation of oxygen functionality in this material. For this report it was only possible to identify the amount of phenolic hydroxyl groups present. Gel permeation chromatography offers the opportunity to observe subtle changes in preasphaltene structure that would be rather difficult to observe by another procedure. The postulated aromatic core plus ether links polymer structure requires precise information about the concentration of phenolic sites as they change with molecular weight. The type of preasphaltene structure suggested by this study would explain why preasphaltenes are insoluble in benzene even through their acidities, bascities and fraction of aromatic carbons may be equal to those of asphaltenes. Their insolubilities result from ether and furan linkages locking the aromatic systems into very rigid condensed molecules.

Research Organization:
Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks
OSTI ID:
6494751
Report Number(s):
CONF-810308-(Vol.4)
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 26:2; ISSN ACFPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English