Qualitative characterization of 370 degrees to 535 degrees C aromatic concentrates of crude oils from GPC analyses

Interpretive factors relating compound structure to gel permeation chromotography (GPC) retention volume were developed to aid in the characterization of aromatic concentrates derived from high-boiling petroleum distillates. These factors have resulted in qualitative analytical formats that are apparently applicable to any high-boiling aromatic concentrate. Characteristics of these formats are discussed, and the qualitative characterization data obtained from the application of GPC and mass spectrometry to the 370 to 535 C aromatic concentrates of four crude oil distillates are summarized.