INFRARED ANALYSIS OF WEATHERED PETROLEUM SAMPLES USING VACUUM TECHNIQUES
Loading...
Date
1975
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University
Abstract
Previously we have shown that crude petroleum and its refined products have a unique “fingerprint” in the $1200-650 cm^{-1}$ region of the infrared spectrum. This fingerprint can be used to distinguish not only one type of oil from another (i.e., a crude from a No. 6 fuel oil) but also two oils of the same type (i.e., a Sunoco No. 2 fuel oil from a Texaco No. 2 fuel oil). Using computer analysis of ratioed absorptivities, an unknown can be correctly matched to a known whose fingerprint code has been stored in a data bank of known reference fingerprints. The fingerprints of an oil that has been involved in a spill will change, depending on the duration of its exposure to sun, wind, water, and bacteria, thus ambiguity in sample identification increases with exposure time. We have conducted extensive studies on these effects and have developed various techniques which aid in compensating for alterations in the spectral fingerprints. One of the most promising techniques is one in which both the weathered and unweathered samples are subjected to vacuum for a short period of time. This “equilibrates” the fingerprint of both samples to some extent, making a match between the unknown and known less ambiguous. Results and discussion of this new technique will be presented.
Description
Author Institution: Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island