EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF MALTENE AND ASPHALTENE FROM AGBABU BITUMEN

ABSTRACT

Extraction is an important separation process for separating high value-added light oils from unconventional oils matrix such as bitumen and extra heavy oil. Thus it is important to understand the extraction process and the characterization of its products. Extraction of Agbabu bitumen yield 54.3 % maltene, 23.7% asphaltene and 21% impurities. The yield of maltene is almost twice (2 times) the yield of asphaltene. Agbabu bitumen, maltene and asphaltene fractions were analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer, XRD, FTIR and GC MS. From TGA It is observed that the pyrolysis behavior of maltene was similar to that of bitumen with one wide shoulder and one narrow peak, while that of asphaltene shows only one peak. The FTIR analysis of the bitumen and it compound shows the presence of aromatic, phenolic and aliphatic compounds. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the structure of the bitumen is composed of quartz particles surrounded by a mixture of organic matter and clay minerals.