Comparing Crude Oils with Different API Gravities on a Molecular Level Using Mass Spectrometric Analysis. Part 2: Resins and Asphaltenes

Abstract

The combination of fractionation methods for crude oils, such as saturate, aromatic, resin and asphaltene (SARA) fractionation, in combination with analysis by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has been used for reducing the complexity and improving the characterization of crude oils. We have used the FT-ICR MS techniques in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI(±)) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI(+)) to find trends between MS data of SARA fractions of crude oils with different American Petroleum Institute (API) gravities from the Sergipe-Alagoas basin (Brazil), focusing on the resin and asphaltene fractions. For the first time, an adaptation of the SARA fractionation has been performed to obtain a second resin fraction, which presented compounds with an intermediate aromaticity level between the first resins and asphaltene fraction. Both the first and second resin and the asphaltene fractions were studied on a molecular level using multiple ionization techniques and FT-ICR MS to find a direct relationship between the API gravities of a heavy, medium and light crude oil. For the FT-ICR MS data and the API gravities an aromaticity tendency was found. The data show that the use of SARA fractionation with FT-ICR MS offers a tool for comprehensive characterization of individual fractions and selective chemical characterization of the components in crude oils.