Characterization of Different Molecular Weight Fractions Separated from Utah Maltenes by Gel Permeation Chromatography

Abstract
Maltenes derived from Utah bitumens were separated by gel permeation chromatography ( OPC) into fractions having number average molecular weights ( MW) in the range from 300 to 11985. The fractions were examined by vapor pressure osmometry, absorption spectrometry in the visible region as well as proton and carbon -13 NMR. The results are reported in comparison with those for the corresponding fractions separated from Athabasca maltenes. Utah fractions appeared to be more aliphatic with longer average aliphatic chains lengths. Branched and alicyciic types were more abundant in Utah samples, especially those with low MW, There was an apparent difference in the hydrocarbon structure of both Utah and Athabasca maltenes GPC