Characterization and Potential Utilization of the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sand Bitumen I. Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and Pyrolysis-Mass Spectrometry Analyses

ABSTRACT

The native Asphalt Ridge bitumen was separated into several boiling range fractions for detailed analysis and characterization. The lighter fraction (477–617 K) was evaluated for use as an aviation turbine fuel and the residue (>617 K) was evaluated for use as an asphalt. The 477–617 K fraction appeared to meet most of the specifications for high density aviation turbine fuels. The 617 K plus residue from the Asphalt Ridge bitumen can be classified as a viscosity grade AC-30 asphalt. Several physical properties were also measured to evaluate the potential of the 477–617 K fraction as high density-energy aviation turbine fuel after mild hydrotreating. The detailed structure of the low molecular weight fractions of the Asphalt Ridge bitumen (477–617 K and 617–711 K) was determined by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Additional insight regarding the chemical structure of the bitumen was also obtained by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The tentative identification of saturated and aromatic components in the 477–711 K fractions indicated that these can be related to biologically-derived compounds which are found in coal, petroleum, oil shale, and tar sand.