Molecular size and structure of asphaltenes

Citation
H. Groenzin et Oc. Mullins, Molecular size and structure of asphaltenes, PET SCI TEC, 19(1-2), 2001, pp. 219-230
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Environmental Engineering & Energy
Journal title
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ISSN journal
10916466 → ACNP
Volume
19
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
219 - 230
Database
ISI
SICI code
1091-6466(2001)19:1-2<219:MSASOA>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
Fluorescence depolarization measurements are used to determine the size of asphaltene molecules and of model compounds for comparison. Mean molecular weights of 750 amu have been found for petroleum asphaltenes, A strong corr elation is established between the size of fused rings in asphaltene molecu les and the overall size of these molecules, showing that asphaltenes have one or perhaps two fused ring systems per molecule. Coal asphaltene molecul es are found to be much smaller than petroleum asphaltenes.