Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an asphaltene solubility distribution for a petroleum sample and/or other hydrocarbon sample. A vessel for performing the method can include both packing material(s) and sidewall(s) that correspond to substantially inert materials. The vessel can initially contain a precipitating solvent suitable for causing precipitation of asphaltenes from a hydrocarbon sample. Examples of a precipitating solvents can correspond to n-heptane, toluene, and mixtures of n-heptane and toluene. The petroleum sample is then introduced into the vessel, along with a carrier solvent. The volume of the precipitating solvent can be large relative to the sample, so that the solubility of asphaltenes in the sample becomes dependent on the properties of the precipitating solvent. If asphaltenes are precipitated, the asphaltenes can be washed out of the column using a dissolution solvent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an asphaltene solubility distribution for a petroleum sample and/or other hydrocarbon sample. A vessel for performing the method can include both packing material(s) and sidewall(s) that correspond to substantially inert materials. The vessel can initially contain a precipitating solvent suitable for causing precipitation of asphaltenes from a hydrocarbon sample. Examples of a precipitating solvents can correspond to n-heptane, toluene, and mixtures of n-heptane and toluene. The petroleum sample is then introduced into the vessel, along with a carrier solvent. The volume of the precipitating solvent can be large relative to the sample, so that the solubility of asphaltenes in the sample becomes dependent on the properties of the precipitating solvent. If asphaltenes are precipitated, the asphaltenes can be washed out of the column using a dissolution solvent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation of classes of paraffins from a hydrocarbon sample can include a first column comprising a first zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more n-paraffins from the hydrocarbon sample and generation of a first eluate including one or more iso-paraffins and one or more one-ring or multi-ring naphthenes. The system can further include a second column, coupled to the first column, comprising a second zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more iso-paraffins or one-ring naphthenes from the first eluate and generation of a second eluate including one or more multi-ring naphthenes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation of classes of paraffins from a hydrocarbon sample can include a first column comprising a first zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more n-paraffins from the hydrocarbon sample and generation of a first eluate including one or more iso-paraffins and one or more one-ring or multi-ring naphthenes. The system can further include a second column, coupled to the first column, comprising a second zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more iso-paraffins or one-ring naphthenes from the first eluate and generation of a second eluate including one or more multi-ring naphthenes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantifying olefinic hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon sample are provided. The methods can include separating olefinic hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon sample by high pressure liquid chromatography. The methods can further include measuring the proton resonance signals of the separated olefinic hydrocarbons and quantifying the weight percentage of different subtypes of olefinic hydrocarbons and hence the weight percentage of total olefinic hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon sample based at least in part on the proton resonance signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the separation of classes of paraffins from a hydrocarbon sample can include a first column comprising a first zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more n-paraffins from the hydrocarbon sample and generation of a first eluate including one or more iso-paraffins and one or more one-ring or multi-ring naphthenes. The system can further include a second column, coupled to the first column, comprising a second zeolite adsorbent material for the isolation of one or more iso-paraffins or one-ring naphthenes from the first eluate and generation of a second eluate including one or more multi-ring naphthenes.

Abstract: Two quantitative separation approaches to fractionate de-asphalted oils (DAOs) into seven classes of compounds (saturates, 1-4+ ring-aromatics, sulfides, and polars). In the first step (named as “SGS”) of present invention, the DAO of a petroleum vacuum resid is separated in to four classes of compounds, namely saturates, aromatics, and sulfides. In this first step of separation, about 3 grams of a DAO can be separated. Whereas in the second step (named as “ARC” separation) of invention, only less than 300 mg of the aromatic fraction obtained in “SGS” (described above) can be further fractionated at very low temperature (about ?40 degrees centigrade) into 4 fractions, namely 1-ring, 2-ring, 3-ring, and 4+-ring aromatics. The present invention protocol is suitable for a wide range of compositionally different DAOs of petroleum vacuum resids.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting chromatographic analysis of a total vacuum resid to provide quantification of eight classes of compounds (i.e., asphaltenes, saturates, 1-4+ ring aromatics, sulfides, and polars) contained within the total vacuum resid without prior de-asphalting are disclosed. The system is also capable of conducting chromatographic analysis of a vacuum gas oils and de-asphalted oils to provide quantification of seven classes of compounds (i.e., saturates, 1-4+ ring aromatics, sulfides, and polars). The system is also capable of conducting chromatographic analysis of a resid to identity the presence of and provide quantification of asphaltenes.

Abstract: A method and system for performing quantitative fractionation of a hydrocarbon sample is disclosed. The method includes introducing the hydrocarbon sample in a separation system having a first separation column and a second separation column. Separate fraction removal steps are performed for the elution of saturates, aromatic ring classes, sulfides, and polars fractions. The method allows to collect the separated fractions and obtain the material balance information of the hydrocarbon sample. The method further includes performing an analysis on the at least one aromatic ring class fraction to identify and quantify an olefins fraction in the hydrocarbon sample.

Abstract: Two quantitative separation approaches to fractionate de-asphalted oils (DAOs) into seven classes of compounds (saturates, 1-4+ ring-aromatics, sulfides, and polars). In the first step (named as “SGS”) of present invention, the DAO of a petroleum vacuum resid is separated in to four classes of compounds, namely saturates, aromatics, and sulfides. In this first step of separation, about 3 grams of a DAO can be separated. Whereas in the second step (named as “ARC” separation) of invention, only less than 300 mg of the aromatic fraction obtained in “SGS” (described above) can be further fractionated at very low temperature (about ?40 degrees centigrade) into 4 fractions, namely 1-ring, 2-ring, 3-ring, and 4+-ring aromatics. The present invention protocol is suitable for a wide range of compositionally different DAOs of petroleum vacuum resids.

Abstract: The present invention provides quantitation of seven classes of compounds (saturates, 1-4+ ring aromatics, sulfides, and polars) present in petroleum streams boiling from 550-1050° F. Operating the present invention in the preparative mode will allow us to load and collect multi-milligram amounts of material. In the present invention, all seven fractions are produced in a single run, whereas the most commonly used preparative liquid chromatographic separations requires two or more large scale separations to generate similar fractions. The present invention uses 100 times less solvent. The present invention protocol provides a quicker and cheaper alternative to most commonly used preparative liquid chromatographic separations and is flexible enough to target many refining and chemicals problems.

Abstract: The present invention provides quantitation of seven classes of compounds (saturates, 1-4+ ring aromatics, sulfides, and polars) present in petroleum streams boiling from 550-1050° F. Operating the present invention in the preparative mode will allow us to load and collect multi-milligram amounts of material. In the present invention, all seven fractions are produced in a single run, whereas the most commonly used preparative liquid chromatographic separations requires two or more large scale separations to generate similar fractions. The present invention uses 100 times less solvent. The present invention protocol provides a quicker and cheaper alternative to most commonly used preparative liquid chromatographic separations and is flexible enough to target many refining and chemicals problems.

Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline of relatively high octane number is produced from a cracked, sulfur-containing olefinic naphthas by hydrodesulfurization followed by treatment over an acidic catalyst comprising zeolite beta with a metal hydrogenation component, preferably a mild hydrogenation component such as molybdenum. The treatment over the acidic catalyst in the second step restores the octane loss which takes place as a result of the hydrogenative treatment and results in a low sulfur gasoline product with an octane number comparable to that of the feed naphtha. In favorable cases, using feeds of extended end point such as heavy naphthas with 95 percent points above about 380.degree. F. (about 193.degree. C.), improvements in both product octane and yield relative to the feed may be obtained.