Comparative Ebulliometry: a Simple, Reliable Technique for Accurate Measurement of the Number Average Molecular Weight of Macromolecules. Preliminary Studies on Heavy Crude Fractions

E. Behar (1) , A. Barreau (1) , D. Vellut (2) , J. Jose (2)

1 IFPEN - IFP Energies nouvelles
2 UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

This article is divided into two parts. In the first part, the authors present a comparison of the major techniques for the measurement of the molecular weight of macromolecules. The bibliographic results are gathered in several tables. In the second part, a comparative ebulliometer for the measurement of the number average molecular weight (Mn) of heavy crude oil fractions is described. The high efficiency of the apparatus is demonstrated with a preliminary study of atmospheric distillation residues and resins. The measurement of molecular weights up to 2000 g/mol is possible in less than 4 hours with an uncertainty of about 2%.

Domains: Physics [physics]

E. Behar, A. Barreau, D. Vellut, J. Jose. Comparative Ebulliometry: a Simple, Reliable Technique for Accurate Measurement of the Number Average Molecular Weight of Macromolecules. Preliminary Studies on Heavy Crude Fractions. Revue de l'Institut Français du Pétrole, 1998, 53 (6), pp.839-855. ⟨10.2516/ogst:1998072⟩. ⟨hal-02079049⟩