Molecular Weight Measurement of UG8 Asphaltene Using APCI Mass Spectroscopy

Abstract

Asphaltene molecular weight has been a controversial issue in the past several decades and continues on nowadays. From industrial application point of view, asphaltene molecular weight is important for setting up a heavy oil refining strategy so that the process is efficient and economically viable. If the measured average molecular weight of asphaltene is high and is the true molecular weight, then substantial amount of energy will be needed, in order to break the molecule into light products during refining process. This is likely not an economical option. On the other, if the measured high molecular weight is due to self-association and the true molecular weight is low (e.g., less than 1500 Da), it will be energetically attractive to refiners to develop heavy oil cracking technology. Vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) has been routinely used for measuring molecular weight. However, it measures the apparent molecular weight and is likely not the true molecular weight. In order to unambiguously measure the molecular weight, it is necessary to develop a convincing technology and a reliable experimental procedure that allows one to measure the molecular weight accurately and consistently. We chose the Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) technique and Atmospheric Pressure Photo Ionization (APPI) to measure UG8 asphaltene. Both APCI and APPI have mild ionization processes and have been applied to many unstable drug compounds such as proteins and peptides with reliable outcomes. In addition, we measured the sample on two APPI instruments to compare the results. We also demonstrated how one can choose wrong set of operating parameters and lead to erroneous results. The relevant parameters for APCI and APPI are temperature, voltage, and sample concentration. We chose 0.01 mg/mL as the concentration, much below any known critical aggregation concentration. As for temperature and ionization voltage, we varied systematically varied (T = 300–600°C; V = 30–150 V) in order to demonstrate the consistency of the methods and how one can easily make mistake. Through these measurements, an average molecular weight of 400 to 900 Da was obtained for UG8 asphaltene.     

Mechanism of simultaneous tripping of ground directional relays in a 6.6‐kV distribution system

In Kyushu Electric Power's 6.6‐kV distribution system, after a single‐phase ground fault occurred in the circuit of a distribution line, we experienced a phenomenon in which the analogue ground directional relays of the other circuits linked to the same bank were simultaneously tripped. In this paper, focus is placed on the mechanism and possibility of simultaneous tripping of ground directional relays. This mechanism was examined in an experiment carried out using an analogue simulator. The results of the test revealed that such simultaneous tripping was attributable to the neutral instability phenomenon of grounding potential transformers installed in an isolated neutral system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 171(2): 23–30, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20919     

浅谈电力系统继电保护

介绍了电力系统继电保护的概念、作用、分类及发展历程,并针对继电保护的发展现状,分析了继电保护未来的发展趋势。     

Mass balance soil ingestion estimating methods and their application to inhabitants of rural and wilderness areas: A critical review

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to provide a defensible means to estimate soil ingestion for human health risk assessments. Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments. There is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as agricultural workers or indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. The results of a preliminary analysis of sampling and analytical variability that would result from assessing activities typical of populations in rural or wilderness areas and conducted over wide areas show that approximately 225 subject days would be required to detect a difference of 20 mg/d in soil ingestion. Given the typically small populations in these areas, future soil ingestion studies should be focused on specific activities with a high potential for soil ingestion.     

Estimation of temporal changes in oxidation rates of sulphides in copper mine tailings at Laver, Northern Sweden

Tailings containing pyrrhotite were deposited in an impoundment at a copper mine at Laver, Northern Sweden, which operated between 1936 and 1946. Since then the oxidation of sulphides has acidified recipient water courses and contaminated them with metals. Measurements from surface water sampled in 1993, 2001 and 2004-05 from a brook into which the tailing impoundment drains indicate that the amounts of sulphide-associated elements such as Cu, S and Zn released into the brook have decreased over time, while pH has increased. The mass transport of S in the brook during 1993 and 2001 corresponded well with the amount of S estimated to be released from the tailings by oxidation. Secondary precipitates such as covellite and gypsum, which can trap sulphur, were shown in earlier studies to be present in only low amounts. The annual release of elements from the tailings was estimated from the volume of tailings assumed to oxidise each year, which depends on movement of the oxidation front with time. The results indicate that the oxidation rate in the tailings has decreased over time, which may be due to the increased distance over which oxygen needs to diffuse to reach unoxidised sulphide grains, or their cores, in the tailings.     

微型程序控制器在低压供电系统中的应用

在低压供电系统中通常利用传统继电器设计控制线路,主要是因为复杂的接线造成的低可靠性和不能灵活地满足用户不同的控制要求。在低压供电系统中用微型程序控制器代替传统继电器可以显著地提高可靠性,可以灵活地满足用户不同的控制要求,大大提高了成套开关设备的性价比。     

继电保护设备状态检修的探讨

随着电力系统的不断发展,继电保护在系统中的作用日益重要,以往周期性检修的负面效应也逐渐体现出来。金华电网在浙江省率先实施继电保护设备状态检修,通过现场检修管理中积累的经验,对状态检修及其应用于继保设备检修中的问题进行了简要介绍,同时对继保设备状态检修实施流程以及二次回路评价方法进行了详细分析。     

油田热电厂网控SF6断路器改造二次回路存在的问题及解决方法

针对油田热电厂110 kV、220 kV电气系统以及主变少油断路器改造为SF6断路器过程中,二次设备及回路存在的问题和可能发生的事故隐患进行了详细的论述,旨在各方面条件允许的情况下,对上述设备加以改进,以防止事故的发生.     

黑河地区俄网按功率减载的区域稳定控制

黑龙江省黑河地区通过110 kV布黑线从俄罗斯阿穆尔州购进电力,根据季节不同,俄罗斯电网向中方输送电力有功率限额.阐述了安全稳定控制装置、远方信号传输装置的功能,及黑河地区俄网按功率减载的安全稳定控制实施方案和运行效果.     

500kV线路光纤纵联保护应用的相关问题分析

光纤通道作为纵联保护的通信通道,具有传输速率高、抗干扰能力强、安全可靠性高、能长期保持不间断传输信号的特点,在500kV线路保护中得到广泛应用。文章介绍了光纤纵联保护的原理、光纤通道作为保护通道的特点和继电保护装置与光纤通道的几种连接方式及各自的时钟设置。根据光纤纵联保护在内蒙古500kV电网的应用,提出了在运行维护工作中应该注意的几个问题,以提高保护的正确动作率,确保电网安全运行。