RESUMEN
In an effort to better understand the structure and behaviour of bitumen in low temperature, we describe the first use of cryogenic atomic force microscopy and phase detection microscopy to characterize bitumen nano- and micro-structures. The results were interpreted in light of glass transition temperatures (T(g)s) for bitumen fractions. The domains visible by microscopy, the catana, peri and para phases, were attributed to domains rich in asphaltenes, naphthene and polar aromatics, and saturates, respectively. Between -10 degrees C and -30 degrees C, atomic force microscopy images revealed topographic features not visible in atomic force microscopy images acquired at room temperature. According to phase detection microscopy and T(g)s, the features were assigned to viscous unfrozen saturates. Upon cooling to -72 degrees C, unfrozen domains of 20-400 nm were observed. These domains were found in the paraphase rich in saturates and in the periphase rich in naphthene aromatics and polar aromatics. The findings indicate that new viscous domains form upon cooling to low temperatures owing to phase segregation, and that some bitumens are never entirely rigid in low temperatures.
RESUMEN
Summary Bitumen is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons for which microstructural knowledge is incomplete. In an effort to detail this microstructure, 13 bitumens were analysed by phase-detection atomic force microscopy. Based on morphology, the bitumens could be classified into three distinct groups. One group showed fine domains down to 0.1 microm, another showed domains of about 1 microm, and a third group showed up to four different domains or phases of different sizes and shapes. No correlation was found between the atomic force microscopy morphology and the composition based on asphaltenes, polar aromatics, naphthene aromatics and saturates. A high correlation was found between the area of the 'bee-like' structures and the vanadium and nickel content in bitumen, and between the atomic force microscopy groups and the average size of molecular planes made of fused aromatics. The morphology and the molecular arrangements in bitumen thus appear to be partly governed by the molecular planes and the polarity defined by metallic cations.
RESUMEN
Chromatographic methods of analysis with FID detection are investigated for quantitation of ethylene oxide in emissions from production plants and commercial sterilizers. A column with a stationary phase of 3% Carbowax 20M on 80-100 Chromosorb 101 is used to separate ethylene oxide from potential interferents in emissions from production plants. Two columns are found that allow accurate quantitation of ethylene oxide in emissions from commercial sterilizers. Both columns elute ethylene oxide before Freon 12, the diluent in the sterilization process. One column has a stationary phase of 1% SP-1000 on 60-80 Carbopack B and can be used to quantitate ethylene oxide over a wider range of concentrations than the other column, 5% Fluorcol (a fluorinated oil) on 60-80 Carbopack B. Graphitized carbon, the solid support in both of these columns, appears to participate in the ethylene oxide-Freon 12 separation with the SP-1000 column but not with the Fluorcol column.
