Separation of liquid fractions obtained from flash pyrolysis of asphaltite

The experiments on the flash pyrolysis of asphaltite (Avgamasya, Sirnak, SE Anatolia, Turkey) were carried out in a fixed bed reactor as a basic study. The investigation focused on the effects of pyrolysis temperature and asphaltite particle size on the product distribution and composition. Sample particle size sieve analysis of asphaltite was performed. Liquefaction of asphaltite, different particle size, and using flash pyrolysis was performed in a fixed bed reactor with a heating rate 40 degrees C min(-1) at a temperature ranging from 400 to 800 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of particle size and temperature on conversion and liquid yield was examined. The yield of asphaltite liquid at the condition of -0.60 + 0.25 mm and 550 degrees C at reached a maximum 11.13 wt%. An optimum temperature for the liquid yield was found to be 550 degrees C. The oil product was distilled by fractionally distillation to separate component. The pyrolysis studies provide important quantitative information on the identity, composition and structure of asphaltites. Oil was treated silica gel column chromatography. Using n-hexane, toluene and methanol, the oil was separated into aliphatic, aromatic and polar components, respectively. For further structural analysis, the pyrolysis oils aliphatic, aromatic and polar subfractions were conducted using FTIR. The results of this study provide fundamental data and optimal conditions to maximize light oils yields. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.