X –Ray Diffraction and Spectroscopic Studies of Crystalline Matrices in Crude Oil

Abstract

Elucidation of the structure of petroleum fractions is of a great importance, and many methods have been developed for such purpose applying modern analytical techniques. In the present study seven Egyptian crude oil samples were collected from seven oil fields located at four main different locations. They are Delta (Domiatte), Upper Egypt (Fayoum), the Eastern Desert (West bakr and Wadi Dara) and Western Desert (Al-Wahat). Physico-chemical characteristics of the collected crude oils have been determined using ASTM, IP or UOP standard test methods. These characteristics include density, specific gravity, API gravity, kinematic viscosity, total sulfur, pour point, water content, asphaltene content, wax content, total saturates and total aromatics. Generally, it can be concluded from the physico-chemical characteristics of the studied crude oils that 1, 2, 3 and 7 crude oils are characterized by low density and viscosity with low contents of sulphur and water. While 4, 5 and 6 crude oils have high values of these characteristics. Also, it can be noticed that crude oils 1, 2 have the highest pour point values which is directly related to the high wax content detected in these two samples. Summary and Conclusion 155