The characterization of metal complexes in typical Kuwait atmospheric residues using both GPC coupled with ICP–MS and HT GC–AED

The aim of this study is to characterize the vanadium and nickel species in saturate, aromatic, resin and asphaltene fractions from typical Kuwait atmospheric residues, using GPC coupled with an ICP–MS and HT GC–AED. It was found that most of vanadium and nickel complexes were in both resin and asphaltene fractions, while there was very small amount of non-porphyrinic metal species in the aromatic fractions. The nickel complexes show higher molecular weight than that of the vanadium complexes. The porphyrin units existing in the asphaltenes linked to the larger aggregates, while in the resins associated with less aggregates.

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