X-RAY-DIFFRACTION STUDY OF CRUDE OILS AND THEIR COMPONENTS

An investigation has been made of the X-ray phase composition of vario us types of crude oil and their components - oils, resins and asphalte nes. It has been established that the main component of all crude oils is the polynaphthene phase (N(ph)). The different resin fractions and asphaltenes, besides N(ph), contain a graphite-like phase G(ph), the concentration of which increases from resins to asphaltenes. N(ph) and G(ph) in the various resin fractions and asphaltenes are in certain q uantitative ratios, the values of which hardly change as a function ei ther of the age or the depth of occurrence of the crude oils. In paraf finic crude oils and their asphaltenes there are solid paraffins of no rmal structure and with rhombic crystal systems.