Synthetic liquid fuels, characterization

Characterizations of synthetic liquids by different workers have been difficult to compare because of varied cut points, different methods of analysis, and incomplete reported data. More systematic data will be needed to characterize these liquids as alternative crude oils and to relate the source and liquefaction process to future requirements for production of refined liquid fuels. 

Analytical separation and spectroscopic techniques normally used for petroleum crudes and residues were modified and used to characterize coal liquids, tar sands bitumens, and shale oils. These techniques include solvent extraction, adsorption, ion-exchange, and metal complexing chromatography to provide discrete fractions. The fractions are characterized by various physical and spectroscopic methods such as GLC, MS, NMR, etc. The methods are relatively fast, require only a few grams of sample, provide compound type fractions for detailed characterization, and provide comparative compositional profiles for natural and synthetic fuels. Additional analytical methods are needed in some areas. 

Describing the behavior of undefined mixtures, whether from natural or synthetic sources, often begins with the separation of these complex systems into effective pseudocomponents by distillation (1 ). Each pseudocomponent is then characterized as if it were a pure compound, and its characterization data are used in appropriate correlations. The presence of nonvolatile residuum poses a serious limitation to such methodology. For coal-derived liquids, heavy crude oils, tar sands, and shale oil, more than 50 percent of the fluid may not be distillable (JL). Since this nonvolatile residue cannot be separated using conventional techniques, new methods of separation and characterization must be developed to provide the necessary information for design and operation of plants utilizing the fossil fuels mentioned above (2). 

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