Characterisation of “deasphaltened” petroleum residues by gel permeation chromatography

Abstract A gel permeation system for the determination of the molecular weight distribution of crude oil residues is described. The errors caused by the non-ideal behaviour of petroleum residues on GPC columns and attempts to eliminate them are discussed. The results for a number of residues are included and the definition of a suitable algorithm for the conversion of molecular weights to boiling points is discussed.