Pyrolysis-GC-MS analysis of crude and heavy fuel oil asphaltenes for application in oil fingerprinting. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riley, Brenden J.; Lennard, Chris; Fuller, Stephen; Spikmans, Val
• Is Part Of: Environmental forensics. Volume 19:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Environmental forensics -- oil spills -- alkanes -- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Environmental forensics -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Periodicals; Enquêtes environnementales -- Périodiques; 363.25945
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2017.1408163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-5922

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A Pyrolysis – Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) method was developed for the analysis and profiling of crude and heavy fuel oil asphaltenes, for application in oil fingerprinting. Asphaltenes were precipitated from ten geographically different oils using n -pentane, and analysed by Py-GC-MS. Alkane profiles and sulphur/aromatic profiles were used to compare the oils, and to correctly differentiate oils from different geographical regions. Py-GC-MS could not differentiate a weathered oil sample and a fresh oil sample from the same source. The results of this study support the findings from a previously developed FTIR method for asphaltene profiling.