Quality characterisation of crude oils by partial least square calibrationof NIR spectral profiles

The correlation of near infrared (NIR) spectral profiles of crude oils with total boiling point (TBP) assay and density has been studied. Fourteen par tial least square (PLS) models were calibrated by a training set of 110 sam ples. The developed NIR methods have reproducibility limits equivalent to t he American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) reference procedures. Predictive accuracy of the models was estimated from the root mean square e rror of prediction (RMSEP) using cross validation. The correlation coeffici ents were better than 0.98 in these calibrations indicating good model stru cture. Such a rapid, reliable and inexpensive quantitative method, which is sufficient to assess the potential quality of the crude oil, especially th e product yield, is essential in today's competitive refining environment.