Nitrogen compound distribution in a heating oil

A Number 1 fuel heating oil was studied for the organo-nitrogen content. The organo-nitrogen compounds were isolated by mild acid extraction followed by silica gel adsorption. Three extracts were studied - a basic nitrogen extract in methylene chloride, a nonbasic nitrogen extract in methyl alcohol and a nonbasic nitrogen extract in methylene chloride. The major constituents of each extract were identified by GC/MS. There were seven major classes of nitrogen compounds detected in each extract. These compounds included alkyl-substituted carbazoles, indoles, pyrazines, pyridines, pyrroles, quinolines and tetrahydroquinolines. The nitrogen content and distribution was compared to both tar-sands acid shale derived fuels.