Field of the Invention
The disclosed subject matter of this application is generally related to methods and system for high temperature simulated distillation. Particularly, the present application relates to systems and methods for determining a boiling point distribution of a sample containing high boiling petroleum compounds, such as a petroleum residua.
Description of Related Art
Simulated distillation using gas chromatography can be applied to high boiling point petroleum fractions, such as those containing residua, by extending the methodology to higher operating temperatures of the analyzer. This high temperature version of the technique is generally referred to as high temperature simulated distillation, or HT-Simdis. HT-Simdis is a relatively rapid technique when compared to conventional distillations, requires small sample sizes, and can be readily automated. HT-Simdis data can be used for development of improved processes for upgrading residua and other heavy petroleum fractions and for modeling such fractions.
HT-Simdis techniques generally employ analyzer temperatures of up to 430-450° C. Due to the use of such high temperatures, application of HT-Simdis to residua may be affected by thermal decomposition. In particular, thermal decomposition can affect the accuracy of the simulated distillation boiling point curve. Although thermal decomposition has been reported in the literature, no consensus solution has been reported on how to obtain optimum simulated distillation curves and apply to Model of Composition. Experts in the field use wide ranging operating conditions for the HT-simdis analyzers that lead to thermal decomposition since the problem is not well recognized or solved. The current international consensus test method organizations (e.g. ASTM, ISO etc.) do not provide a simulated distillation methodology to account for the potential problems caused by thermal decomposition. As such, there remains a need for methods and systems capable of applying HT-Simdis accounting for the effect of thermal decomposition.