Distribution
of Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes Fractions in the
Bituminous Layer of Athabasca Oil Sands
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Abstract
The
composition and distribution of saturates, aromatics, resins, and
asphaltenes (SARA) fractions in the bituminous layer on the surface
of Athabasca oil sands were identified using elemental analysis (EA),
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and
Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The contents of elements
sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) and the ratios of carbon/sulfur (C/S)
and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) were characterized as potential indicators
for evaluating the distribution of SARA fractions in the bituminous
layer. Results indicated that saturates and aromatics tend to deposit
at the outer bituminous layer, while asphaltenes and resins were inclined
to distribute at the inner layer. Results also suggested that the
distribution of SARA fractions was thermodynamically dependent and
susceptible to thermal treatment. On the basis of the experimental
results, a conceptual distribution model was proposed, which is supposed
to serve as a basis for future studies on the liberation of bitumen
from oil sands and the operation conditions for oil sands processing