Organic, Chemical and Elemental Characterization of Components of Nigerian Bituminous Sands Bitumen

Abstract

Nigerian bitumen components (asphaltene, oil, and resins) were analyzed for functional groups of compound types present in them using infrared specrophotometry technique. These components were also subjected to trace metal analysis using the Buck Model 200 A atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Infrared peaks of alkenes, aldehydes, anhydrides, aromatics, and amides were shown in the bitumen components indicating that they were mixtures of paraffinic, aldehydric, anhydic, naphthenic, and heteroatomic containing compounds. Concentration of 8 metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Co, V, Mn, and Fe) in the samples were studied to know the extent of possible catalytic poisoning and environmental degradation capacity, and more so the components in which these metals were more concentrated. The AAS result showed high concentration of Zn, Ni, V, and Fe in some components while other metals were not detected in the amount that were present in the bitumen components.

Keywords:

• AAS
• asphaltene
• bitumen
• IR
• oil
• resin

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to acknowledge Professors E. O. Olanipekun and E. I. Obiajunwa for their various assistance and most especially Professor F. O. I. Asubiojo for proofreading the manuscript.