DETERMINATION OF TRACE-ELEMENT PATHWAYS IN A PETROLEUM DISTILLATION UNIT BY INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

The concentrations of 11 trace and minor elements (Na, Al, S, Cl, Ca, V, Mn, Ni, As, Br, I) have been measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis in a sample of crude oil from Venezuela, and in 7 of its distillates and in the final residue produced in a primary distillation unit. Concentrations range from 0.5 ppb to 2.0%. The elements have been classified in 4 categories on the basis of their distributions among the fractions analyzed. The results on concentrations have also been used to establish elemental balances in the distillation unit studied operating under steady-state conditions. Only S and V have been found to give rise to losses by emission. © 1979 Akadémiai Kiadó.