Petroleum terminology

Standard Terminology Kelating to Petroleum, Petroleum Products, andEubricants, D4175, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa.,... 

A number of types of bituminous material exist and terminology is still somewhat confusing. The term bitumens in its widest sense includes liquid and solid hydrocarbons but its popular meaning is restricted to the solid and semisolid materials. The bitumens occur widely in nature and may be considered to be derived from petroleum either by evaporation of the lighter fraction under atmospheric conditions or by a deeper seated metamorphism. The purer native bitumens are generally known as asphaltites and include Gilsonite, extensively used for moulding, which occurs in Utah. 

In summary, the terminology used for the identification of the various methods might differ. However, in general terms, group-type analysis of petroleum is often identified by the acronyms for the names PONA (paraffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics), FIONA (paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics), PNA (paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics), PINA (paraffins. 

FIGURE 7.1 Cyclone terminology. (Reprinted from Jack Wilcox, R., Published in Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Troubleshooting Complex FCCU Issues, http //www.ePTQ.com, Q3, 2009. With permission.)... 

A variety of technical terms are used throughout this manuscript. Most of these terms are familiar and known by those who have worked in the petroleum industry for a few years. The purpose of providing this glossary is to focus on the terminology and definitions which are the most useful when describing fuel performance problems. 

The term physical composition (or bulk composition) refers to the composition of crude oil as determined by various physical techniques. For example, the separation of petroleum using solvents and adsorbents (Altgelt and Boduszynski, 1994 Speight, 1999) into various bulk fractions (Figure 3-8) determines the physical composition of crude oil. However, in many instances, the physical composition may not be equivalent to the chemical composition. These methods of separation are not always related to chemical properties and the terminology applied to the resulting fractions is often a terminology of convenience. 

Schramm, L. L. Foam Terminology in the Petroleum Industry in Foams Fundamentals and Applications in the Petroleum Industry Schramm, L.L. (Ed.), American Chemical Society Washington, DC, 1994, pp. 487-535. 

This glossary provides brief explanations for nearly 200 important terms in the science and engineering of petroleum emulsions. The field of petroleum emulsions encompasses aspects of so many different disciplines that there exists a voluminous body of terminology. A selection of frequently encountered terms has been made including scientific terms related to the basic principles and properties of emulsions, and petroleum production and processing terms used to describe practical emulsions and their treatment. In addition, cross-references for the more important synonyms and abbreviations are included. 

In the terminology of minerals, primary (in the case of metals) refers to direct production from the ore in the case of petroleum it refers to production from wells by direct means. This meaning contrasts with the term secondary that is used to denote recovery of metal from scrap and, for petroleum, recovery by means of special techniques such as flooding and hydraulic pressure. 

ASTM D-4175. 2000. Standard terminology relating to petroleum, petroleum prod-... 

Crude petroleum is a mixture of compounds boiling at different temperatures that can be separated into a variety of different generic fractions by distillation (Speight, 1999a, Speight, 2001). The terminology of these fractions has been bound by utility and often bears little relationship to composition. 

For the purposes of terminology, it is preferable to subdivide petroleum and related materials into three major subgroups (Table 1.3 Speight, 1999a) ... 

This glossary provides brief explanations for important terms in the study of suspensions that occur in the petroleum industry, whether such studies involve fundamental principles, experimental investigations, or industrial applications. Even when restricted to petroleum industry applicationsy the suspension field encompasses aspects of many disciplines and comprises a large body of terminology. This selection of frequently used terms includes scientific terms relating to the principles underlying suspension stability and properties. Cross-references for the more important synonyms and abbreviations are also included. 

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