Rapid Bulk Fractionation of Maltenes into Saturates, Aromatics, and Resins by Flash Chromatography

Flash chromatography was used to fractionate the maltenic portion of bitumen. The method uses a dry chromatographic support rather than a chromatographic gel. The development of the method is described along with the effect of a number of parameters on the purity of the fractions, namely, the effect of bitumen concentration, settling time in n-heptane, filter size, support type, and mesh size. The method was used to fractionate the maltenes within 45 min to provide milligram to gram quantities of saturates, aromatics, and resins with greater than 83% purity, as determined by Iatroscan. The accessibility of such quantities of relatively pure bitumen fractions will allow for easier study of their composition and characteristics.