Thermal analysis of petrochemicals

Thermal analysis is an excellent analytical method to help one address the issues related to the quality and processing of oil and oilbased products in the petrochemical industry because their properties are strongly temperature dependent. Thermal analysis methods can be used to measure the properties of materials as a function of temperature or time, over a wide temperature range, starting at –150°C and in compliance with international standards.

Thermal analysis techniques

Thermal analysis techniques and methods can be used to characterise materials and to provide specific information about material quality, crystallisation and stability, as well as on the composition of mixtures and the influence of additives, throughout the petrochemical production chain. Techniques include:

• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measures enthalpy changes in samples due to changes in their physical and chemical properties as a function of temperature or time

• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) measures the change in weight of a sample as it is heated, cooled or held at constant temperature

• Thermo-optical Analysis (TOA) for thermal and oxidative stability and measure optical properties of a sample as it is heated or cooled

• In addition, dropping point (DP) and softening point (SP) determination of materials.

Applications

Thermal analysis can be used for quality control and research in upstream activities related to exploration, production, transport and storage; or downstream, in refinery processes and for the production of petrochemicals and lubricants.

Confidence in your results

Mettler Toledo’s Excellence thermal analysis instruments allow one to characterise various sample materials over a very wide temperature range. Control all the instruments from a single, powerful, easy-to-use software platform. Each instrument configuration has the highest level of performance so you can have complete confidence in your results.

MICROSEP (PTY) LTD

Rudy Maliepaard Tel: (011) 553 2300 Fax: (011) 553 2400 rudy.maliepaard@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za