SEPARATION OF ORGANIC-MATTER FROM ASPHALTITE WITH SUPERCRITICAL-FLUIDMIXTURES

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of Turkish asphaltite with toluen e mixtures was investigated. Experiments were performed in a stirred b atch autoclave at 613 K. Organic matter recovered from the SFE were fr actionated into oils, asphaltenes and preasphaltenes by solvent extrac tion. The extract yields are 15.1% with toluene, 16.0% with toluene 5% methanol and 16.9% with toluene + 5% n-hexane mixtures. Oil yields are 8.8%, 11.1% and 9.7% with toluene and toluene mixtures, respective ly. Oils were analysed with a combination of chromatographic and spect roscopic techniques. Results were evaluated to assess the effect of so lvent mixtures on product yields.