Characterization of crude oil and its fractions by fluorescence spectroscopy analysis

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for calculating the cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, aromaticity, and/or octane number of a crude oil and its fractions from the density and fluorescence spectroscopy of a sample of the crude oil.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating a crude oil sample and calculating at least one indicative property of a naphtha or gas oil fraction of the crude oil sample without first distilling said naphtha or gas oil fraction, wherein the at least one indicative property is selected from cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, aromaticity, and octane number, the system comprising: a fluorometer that outputs fluorescence spectroscopy data; a non-volatile memory device that stores calculation modules and data, wherein the calculation modules include at least a first calculation module and a second calculation module, and wherein the data includes density of the crude oil sample and fluorescence spectroscopy data derived by an analysis of the crude oil sample by the fluorometer, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy data is indicative of fluorescence arbitrary units at predetermined increments between a predetermined range for the oil sample; and a processor coupled to the non-volatile memory; wherein the first calculation module, upon being executed by the processor, retrieves the fluorescence spectroscopy data from the non-volatile memory device, calculates a crude oil fluorescence spectroscopy index value of the fraction as a summation of the fluorescence arbitrary units, and transfers the calculated crude oil fluorescence spectroscopy index value into the non-volatile memory; and wherein the second calculation module, upon being executed by the processor, calculates the at least one indicative property for the naphtha or gas oil fraction of the crude oil from a two-variable polynomial equation with predetermined constant coefficients developed using linear regression techniques, and stores the at least one indicative property into the non-volatile memory device; wherein the two variables of the two-variable polynomial equation are the crude oil fluorescence spectroscopy index and the density of the crude oil sample.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the octane number.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the pour point.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the cloud point.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the aniline point.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the aromaticity.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative property is the octane number.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature range for the fluorometer is 20-1000 C.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy index is that of whole crude oil.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy index is calculated from fluorescence spectroscopy data measured in the wavelength range of 250-800 nm.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy data is obtained directly from core and/or drill cuttings material.

12. method for evaluating a crude oil sample and calculating at least one indicative property of a naphtha or gas oil fraction of the crude oil sample without first distilling said naphtha or gas oil fraction, wherein the at least one indicative property is selected from cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, aromaticity, and octane number, the method comprising: receiving density of the crude oil sample and storing it into non-volatile memory of a computer; receiving fluorescence spectroscopy data derived by an analysis of the crude oil sample by a fluorometer, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy data is indicative of fluorescence arbitrary units at predetermined increments between a predetermined range for the oil sample, and storing the florescence spectroscopy data into the non-volatile memory; using a processor of the computer that is coupled to the non-volatile memory to calculate a crude oil fluorescence spectroscopy index value of the fraction as a summation of the fluorescence arbitrary units of the spectroscopy data; and using the processor to calculate and enter into the non-volatile memory the at least one indicative property for the naphtha or gas oil fraction of the crude oil from a two-variable polynomial equation with predetermined constant coefficients developed using linear regression techniques; wherein the two variables of the two-variable polynomial equation are the crude oil fluorescence spectroscopy index and the density of the crude oil sample.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the cetane number.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the pour point.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the cloud point.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the aniline point.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the aromaticity.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative property is the octane number.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature range for the fluorometer is 20-1000 C.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy index is that of whole crude oil.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy index is calculated from fluorescence spectroscopy data measured in the wavelength range of 250-800 nm.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluorescence spectroscopy data is obtained directly from core and/or drill cuttings material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a graphic plot of typical fluorescence spectroscopy data for typical crude oil samples with different API gravities;

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method in which an embodiment of the invention is implemented;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of modules of an embodiment of the invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system in which an embodiment of the invention is implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(6) A system and a method are provided for determining one or more indicative properties of a hydrocarbon sample. Indicative properties (e.g., cetane number, pour point, cloud point, and aniline point) of a gas oil fraction and ozone number of a naphtha fraction in a crude oil sample are assigned as a function of the density and fluorescence spectroscopy measurement of the crude oil sample. The indicative properties provide information about the gas oil and naphtha properties without fractionation/distillation (crude oil assays) and help producers, refiners, and marketers to benchmark the oil quality and, as a result, valuate the oils without performing the customary extensive and time-consuming crude oil assays.

(7) The systems and methods are applicable for naturally occurring hydrocarbons derived from crude oils, bitumens, heavy oils, shale oils and from refinery process units including hydrotreating, hydroprocessing, fluid catalytic cracking, coking, and visbreaking or coal liquefaction.

(8) In the system and method herein, fluorescence spectroscopy analysis is obtained by a suitable known or to-be-developed process. Fluorescence spectroscopy uses a fluorometer to collect spectral data of a solid, liquid, or gas.

(9) In one embodiment, a Varian Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer (i.e., fluorometer) was used for the analysis of the crude oil. The synchronization scanning mode was utilized, with a delta of 15 nm, and a scan range from 250-800 nm.

(10) Typical fluorescence spectroscopy data for crude oils with different API gravities is shown in FIG. 1.

(11) In one embodiment, the fluorescence spectroscopy index is calculated as follows. The fluorescence arbitrary unit at each wavelength (integer) of the scan range is summed, and then the total is divided by 1000.

(12) $\begin{array}{cc}{\mathrm{FSMI}}_{\mathrm{crude}\_\mathrm{oil}}=\underset{f=250}{\overset{800}{.Math.}}\left(\mathrm{Arbitrary}\mathrm{Units}\right)/\left(1000\right);& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

(13) FIG. 2 shows a process flowchart of steps in a method according to one embodiment herein, in which crude oil samples are prepared and analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy according to the method 200 described below.

(14) In step 210 a sample of crude oil is dissolved in hexane and then scanned by the fluorometer over the wavelength range from 250-400 nm.

(15) In step 215, the fluorescence spectroscopy data is arranged by wavelength and fluorescence arbitrary unit.

(16) In step 220, a fluorescence spectroscopy index is calculated according to equation (1).

(17) The indicative properties (e.g., the cetane number, pour point, cloud point and aniline point) of the gas oil fraction, e.g. boiling in the range of 150-400 C. and in certain embodiments in the range of 180-370 C., the octane number of the naphtha fraction, and the aromaticity for the whole crude oil (WCO), can be assigned as a function of the density and the fluorescence spectroscopy index of crude oil. That is,
Indicative Property=f(density.sub.crude oil, FSMI.sub.crudeoil) (2);

(18) Equation (3) is a detailed example of this relationship, showing the cetane number, pour point, cloud point and aniline point that can be predicted for the gas oil (GO) fraction of the crude oil, as well as the aromaticity that can be predicted for the whole crude oil (WCO), as well as the octane number that can be predicted for the naphtha fraction.

(19) In steps 235, 240, 245, and 250, respectively, the properties of a cetane number, pour point, cloud point and aniline point for the gas oil (GO) fraction of the crude oil are calculated, in step 253 the aromaticity for the whole crude oil (WCO) is calculated, and in step 255 the property of an octane number for the naphtha fraction of the crude oil is calculated. While FIG. 2 shows the steps performed sequentially, they can be performed in parallel or in any order. In certain embodiments, only one or more steps 235, 240, 245, 250, 253, 255 are carried out. In these steps, the one or more indicative properties are determined as follows:
Indicative property=K+X1*DEN+X2*DEN.sup.2+X3*DEN.sup.3+X4*FSMI+X5*FSMI.sup.2+X6*FSMI.sup.3+X7*DEN*FSMI (3);

(20) where:

(21) DEN=density of the crude oil sample; and

(22) K, X1-X7, are constants for the properties to be predicted that are developed using linear regression analysis of hydrocarbon data from fluorescence spectrometry data.

(23) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, system 300. Density and raw data receiving module 310 receives the density of a sample of crude oil and fluorescence spectroscopy data derived from the crude oil.

(24) Fluorescence spectroscopy index calculation module 315 calculates the fluorescence spectroscopy index from the spectral data.

(25) Cetane number calculation module 335 derives the cetane number for the gas oil fraction of the crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample,

(26) Pour point calculation module 340 derives the pour point for the gas oil fraction of the crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample.

(27) Cloud point calculation module 345 derives the cloud point for the gas oil fraction of the crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample.

(28) Aniline point calculation module 350 derives the aniline point for the gas oil fraction of the crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample.

(29) Aromaticity calculation module 352 derives the aromaticity for the whole crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample.

(30) Octane number calculation module 355 derives the octane number for the naphtha fraction of the crude oil as a function of the fluorescence spectroscopy index and density of the sample.

(31) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary block diagram of a computer system 400 in which one embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. Computer system 400 includes a processor 420, such as a central processing unit, an input/output interface 430 and support circuitry 440. In certain embodiments, where the computer system 400 requires a direct human interface, a display 410 and an input device 450 such as a keyboard, mouse or pointer are also provided. The display 410, input device 450, processor 420, and support circuitry 440 are shown connected to a bus 490 which also connects to a memory 460. Memory 460 includes program storage memory 470 and data storage memory 480. Note that while computer system 400 is depicted with direct human interface components display 410 and input device 450, programming of modules and exportation of data can alternatively be accomplished over the input/output interface 430, for instance, where the computer system 400 is connected to a network and the programming and display operations occur on another associated computer, or via a detachable input device as is known with respect to interfacing programmable logic controllers.

(32) Program storage memory 470 and data storage memory 480 can each comprise volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (ROM) memory units and can also comprise hard disk and backup storage capacity, and both program storage memory 470 and data storage memory 480 can be embodied in a single memory device or separated in plural memory devices. Program storage memory 470 stores software program modules and associated data, and in particular stores a density and raw data receiving module 310, fluorescence spectroscopy index calculation module 315, cetane number calculation module 335, pour point calculation module 340, cloud point calculation module 345, aniline point calculation module 350, aromaticity calculation module 352, and octane number calculation module 355. Data storage memory 480 stores results and other data generated by the one or more modules of the present invention.

(33) It is to be appreciated that the computer system 400 can be any computer such as a personal computer, minicomputer, workstation, mainframe, a dedicated controller such as a programmable logic controller, or a combination thereof. While the computer system 400 is shown, for illustration purposes, as a single computer unit, the system can comprise a group of computers which can be scaled depending on the processing load and database size.

(34) Computer system 400 preferably supports an operating system, for example stored in program storage memory 470 and executed by the processor 420 from volatile memory. According to an embodiment of the invention, the operating system contains instructions for interfacing computer system 400 to the Internet and/or to private networks.

EXAMPLE 1

(35) A set of constants K and X1-X7 was determined using linear regression for the indicative properties cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, octane number, and aromaticity. These constants were determined based on known actual distillation data for plural crude oil samples and their corresponding indicative properties. These constants are given in Table 3.

(36) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Constants Cetane Number Pour Point Cloud Point Aniline Point K 2.920657E+04 2.283807E+04 8.016178E+04 4.370054E+04 X1 8.247657E+04 6.995129E+04 2.781445E+05 1.449824E+05 X2 8.008823E+04 7.232753E+04 3.199487E+05 1.608909E+05 X3 2.758504E+04 2.532512E+04 1.219746E+05 5.979962E+04 X4 1.273387E+02 4.791017E+01 3.108188E+01 2.649713E+01 X5 4.207752E01 8.303909E02 1.963374E01 5.686953E02 X6 4.676128E03 7.142002E04 1.983566E03 3.346494E04 X7 1.581570E+02 5.156225E+01 4.212763E+01 2.749938E+01 Constants Octane Number WCO-AROM K 1.017323E+05 1.047903E+04 X1 3.438191E+05 4.741776E+04 X2 3.877252E+05 6.274074E+04 X3 1.457003E+05 2.516125E+04 X4 9.217455E+00 8.586987E+01 X5 2.914821E01 6.843602E01 X6 2.737219E03 7.078907E03 X7 0.000000E+00 1.207479E+02

(37) The following example is provided to demonstrate an application of equations (3). A sample of Arabian medium crude with a 15 C./4 C. density of 0.8828 Kg/l was analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy, using the described method. The tabulated results follow in Table 4:

(38) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Wavelength (nm) API Gravity, 28.8 19.6 250 1.27 1.05 251 1.21 0.91 252 1.14 0.85 253 0.95 1.02 254 0.97 0.92 255 1.15 0.94 256 1.28 1.09 257 1.33 1.44 258 1.57 1.44 259 1.83 1.63 260 2.05 1.96 261 2.63 2.21 262 3.16 2.73 263 3.74 3.25 264 4.28 3.88 265 5.00 5.07 266 5.67 5.59 267 6.48 6.78 268 6.65 7.27 269 7.56 8.55 270 7.85 9.29 271 8.36 9.87 272 8.71 10.68 273 8.93 11.21 274 9.24 11.49 275 8.79 12.13 276 8.60 12.45 277 8.79 12.68 278 8.35 12.72 279 7.74 12.31 280 7.50 12.34 281 7.35 12.60 282 7.42 12.55 283 7.79 13.13 284 9.11 14.59 285 10.15 16.48 286 12.32 19.70 287 14.84 23.30 288 17.17 27.11 289 20.36 31.74 290 22.93 36.59 291 24.17 40.13 292 26.52 44.18 293 28.00 46.89 294 27.89 49.52 295 28.54 51.24 296 29.29 54.14 297 30.29 56.46 298 30.41 58.06 299 31.50 60.48 300 31.99 62.98 301 32.14 63.77 302 32.38 66.72 303 31.66 66.79 304 31.23 67.48 305 29.79 66.10 306 28.95 65.39 307 27.11 64.41 308 26.08 63.97 309 25.76 62.65 310 25.31 62.52 311 24.73 62.68 312 25.28 64.40 313 26.44 67.67 314 27.19 69.71 315 27.25 68.99 316 28.15 70.95 317 29.82 73.39 318 31.36 78.28 319 32.10 81.73 320 34.13 85.19 321 34.44 87.23 322 37.79 94.02 323 40.61 101.62 324 43.34 109.60 325 46.36 117.56 326 47.79 124.76 327 51.11 134.00 328 54.09 143.32 329 56.67 152.26 330 58.77 159.16 331 58.02 159.37 332 60.10 165.95 333 61.49 168.93 334 63.50 176.30 335 63.66 172.61 336 63.59 173.20 337 62.73 175.41 338 65.47 181.41 339 68.17 184.71 340 69.14 188.76 341 68.81 184.04 342 70.78 187.74 343 71.17 186.11 344 74.48 194.29 345 74.95 192.86 346 75.31 196.13 347 76.25 191.86 348 76.99 192.92 349 77.96 192.59 350 80.27 194.30 351 78.27 190.40 352 77.50 188.90 353 77.98 184.87 354 78.21 187.44 355 78.16 185.91 356 78.36 184.15 357 76.17 178.69 358 76.24 175.44 359 75.49 174.06 360 76.48 175.46 361 75.71 173.24 362 77.62 172.86 363 77.05 169.22 364 78.20 171.83 365 77.52 167.50 366 79.23 167.43 367 77.33 161.66 368 78.10 161.76 369 76.25 156.31 370 77.04 153.14 371 75.00 151.36 372 76.69 151.51 373 76.13 148.03 374 75.95 147.92 375 74.56 146.40 376 77.28 153.98 377 78.71 157.11 378 80.95 165.33 379 81.67 167.60 380 83.41 174.64 381 86.26 181.18 382 87.37 189.91 383 88.30 194.12 384 90.10 196.70 385 89.27 199.14 386 91.91 204.95 387 92.77 210.50 388 91.22 210.57 389 91.49 210.34 390 90.72 211.38 391 90.54 209.72 392 91.19 213.29 393 92.41 216.90 394 92.39 218.13 395 93.00 220.83 396 93.93 220.46 397 94.01 222.20 398 93.90 222.32 399 93.41 223.02 400 92.18 221.82 401 91.00 220.53 402 91.43 219.05 403 91.29 218.84 404 92.06 218.51 405 91.49 219.09 406 92.58 218.48 407 91.94 216.00 408 91.44 216.14 409 92.37 215.76 410 91.80 212.67 411 90.76 210.61 412 89.27 209.16 413 89.74 205.68 414 89.07 203.71 415 88.22 200.33 416 87.09 198.86 417 87.18 197.27 418 86.86 195.36 419 86.88 195.24 420 87.05 195.64 421 87.44 195.13 422 87.04 194.82 423 87.33 192.77 424 87.21 192.40 425 87.65 191.73 426 87.08 191.12 427 87.11 189.04 428 85.32 187.05 429 85.49 184.34 430 83.64 180.80 431 83.72 177.67 432 83.13 178.84 433 83.41 177.03 434 83.70 175.80 435 82.78 175.25 436 81.67 173.03 437 81.69 172.99 438 81.69 170.94 439 81.37 170.17 440 81.09 169.31 441 80.69 169.08 442 79.95 167.44 443 79.43 165.50 444 78.64 163.07 445 78.29 161.13 446 78.06 160.86 447 77.39 159.34 448 76.72 158.48 449 76.97 157.38 450 76.05 154.39 451 74.74 153.40 452 74.13 151.33 453 73.35 148.34 454 72.50 146.80 455 71.39 144.42 456 70.29 140.20 457 69.49 139.33 458 67.91 136.19 459 67.47 136.30 460 66.83 134.80 461 66.13 133.01 462 65.91 132.51 463 64.99 129.55 464 64.42 127.25 465 62.81 125.11 466 61.35 121.38 467 60.41 119.99 468 59.29 118.29 469 59.48 116.76 470 57.97 114.85 471 57.34 113.47 472 56.76 112.23 473 54.83 109.40 474 54.62 107.56 475 53.24 105.06 476 52.40 103.80 477 51.24 102.89 478 50.54 100.46 479 49.71 98.76 480 48.71 95.76 481 46.65 91.87 482 46.75 92.08 483 45.58 91.72 484 45.47 90.16 485 44.77 90.37 486 44.22 89.52 487 44.13 88.40 488 42.93 87.33 489 41.99 85.13 490 41.09 83.09 491 40.30 81.43 492 39.87 81.19 493 39.07 79.56 494 38.61 78.01 495 37.54 76.65 496 36.22 75.01 497 35.59 73.99 498 35.13 71.41 499 34.20 71.86 500 34.18 70.05 501 32.85 69.17 502 31.72 67.31 503 31.47 66.49 504 30.76 64.14 505 30.20 63.20 506 29.32 62.69 507 29.02 61.29 508 27.78 59.76 509 27.66 58.69 510 27.14 58.04 511 27.02 56.90 512 26.38 56.02 513 25.72 55.28 514 25.03 53.66 515 24.12 52.39 516 24.26 51.68 517 23.67 50.34 518 22.48 49.83 519 22.56 48.20 520 22.12 48.16 521 21.43 46.61 522 20.92 45.44 523 20.12 44.67 524 19.80 43.49 525 19.30 41.61 526 18.87 41.21 527 18.46 40.69 528 18.36 40.39 529 18.06 39.71 530 17.67 39.44 531 17.75 38.55 532 16.95 37.58 533 16.58 36.48 534 16.11 35.58 535 15.88 35.02 536 15.72 34.58 537 15.33 33.95 538 14.77 32.36 539 14.15 31.44 540 13.74 31.22 541 13.51 30.52 542 13.34 30.13 543 13.22 29.26 544 13.03 29.66 545 12.49 28.66 546 12.34 28.03 547 11.71 27.70 548 11.95 27.46 549 11.78 27.10 550 11.40 26.31 551 11.10 25.65 552 10.85 25.14 553 10.40 24.94 554 10.11 24.16 555 10.30 23.22 556 10.01 23.19 557 9.85 22.60 558 8.94 22.71 559 9.08 22.36 560 9.14 21.25 561 8.91 20.57 562 8.48 20.23 563 8.41 19.76 564 8.33 18.95 565 8.13 19.24 566 7.50 18.61 567 7.78 17.66 568 7.69 17.33 569 7.45 17.61 570 7.12 17.31 571 6.95 17.03 572 6.82 16.17 573 6.63 16.20 574 6.43 15.86 575 6.71 15.62 576 6.40 15.06 577 6.37 14.35 578 6.13 14.40 579 6.28 14.51 580 6.08 13.72 581 5.51 13.78 582 5.54 13.23 583 5.53 13.24 584 5.29 13.22 585 5.72 12.35 586 5.00 12.14 587 4.98 12.07 588 4.82 11.48 589 4.81 12.04 590 4.79 11.35 591 4.52 11.28 592 4.46 10.10 593 4.32 10.52 594 4.28 10.09 595 3.88 9.88 596 4.10 9.57 597 4.18 9.47 598 3.96 9.79 599 3.80 9.14 600 3.78 8.88 601 3.67 8.30 602 3.43 8.49 603 3.49 7.82 604 3.28 7.81 605 3.13 7.45 606 3.02 7.76 607 3.29 7.62 608 3.43 7.53 609 2.84 7.36 610 2.95 7.37 611 2.87 6.67 612 2.72 6.99 613 2.64 6.74 614 2.52 6.59 615 2.52 6.29 616 2.60 6.30 617 2.56 6.07 618 2.24 5.60 619 2.74 5.61 620 2.47 5.92 621 2.19 5.51 622 2.03 5.41 623 2.37 5.22 624 2.09 5.13 625 1.75 5.14 626 1.71 4.92 627 2.15 5.04 628 1.93 5.05 629 1.72 4.74 630 2.01 4.89 631 1.66 4.58 632 1.95 4.53 633 1.55 4.44 634 2.03 4.36 635 1.58 4.14 636 2.00 3.74 637 1.52 3.30 638 1.32 3.85 639 1.23 3.82 640 1.77 4.04 641 1.55 3.56 642 1.67 3.38 643 1.22 4.22 644 0.91 3.78 645 1.64 3.38 646 1.23 3.97 647 1.51 3.16 648 1.53 3.30 649 1.41 3.55 650 1.29 2.64 651 1.47 3.08 652 1.35 2.82 653 1.22 2.66 654 1.13 3.13 655 1.33 2.87 656 1.26 3.11 657 1.08 2.09 658 1.33 2.52 659 0.98 2.46 660 1.11 2.75 661 1.19 2.34 662 1.06 2.20 663 1.07 2.86 664 1.08 2.43 665 1.10 2.58 666 1.22 2.34 667 0.94 2.20 668 1.20 2.27 669 0.71 2.07 670 1.31 1.99 671 0.43 2.20 672 0.81 1.48 673 0.84 1.90 674 0.91 2.07 675 0.39 1.79 676 0.82 2.07 677 1.05 1.47 678 1.13 2.14 679 1.20 1.85 680 0.68 1.99 681 0.81 1.50 682 0.30 1.87 683 1.03 1.52 684 1.03 2.16 685 0.50 1.90 686 1.02 1.91 687 0.67 1.58 688 0.65 1.51 689 0.51 1.43 690 0.44 0.97 691 0.79 1.73 692 0.93 1.19 693 0.94 1.40 694 0.84 1.35 695 0.66 1.36 696 0.99 1.20 697 0.73 0.89 698 0.48 1.71 699 0.68 1.29 700 0.43 1.74 701 0.58 1.96 702 0.70 1.07 703 0.78 1.19 704 0.69 1.35 705 0.95 1.17 706 0.49 1.69 707 1.10 1.38 708 0.68 1.76 709 0.61 1.09 710 0.71 0.90 711 0.54 1.03 712 0.09 1.59 713 0.18 1.59 714 1.18 0.75 715 0.83 0.84 716 0.28 1.45 717 0.39 1.22 718 0.51 0.53 719 0.22 1.01 720 0.36 1.35 721 0.37 0.90 722 0.00 0.13 723 0.65 1.08 724 0.93 1.09 725 1.22 0.70 726 1.08 0.28 727 0.67 0.84 728 0.40 0.56 729 0.40 1.81 730 1.33 0.14 731 0.13 1.12 732 0.81 0.84 733 0.83 1.29 734 0.28 1.63 735 0.60 0.47 736 0.63 0.81 737 0.16 0.34 738 0.68 1.58 739 0.35 2.00 740 0.90 1.68 741 0.37 1.34 742 0.00 0.99 743 0.59 0.40 744 0.20 1.04 745 0.60 2.53 746 1.04 1.07 747 0.62 1.32 748 0.42 1.54 749 0.21 0.00 750 0.42 0.66 751 1.30 0.46 752 0.87 0.23 753 0.00 0.46 754 0.22 0.70 755 0.46 0.48 756 1.63 1.23 757 0.00 2.24 758 0.24 0.25 759 0.00 0.75 760 1.92 1.02 761 0.24 2.00 762 0.47 2.65 763 2.18 1.61 764 0.43 0.67 765 0.87 0.45 766 0.45 0.95 767 0.24 1.52 768 0.00 1.90 769 0.55 0.28 770 0.58 0.30 771 0.90 0.62 772 0.31 1.27 773 1.57 0.97 774 0.96 0.34 775 0.64 0.34 776 0.65 1.03 777 0.32 1.72 778 1.64 0.69 779 0.68 1.75 780 0.34 1.73 781 1.71 0.00 782 0.35 3.25 783 0.00 0.36 784 0.00 0.73 785 2.13 1.12 786 1.43 0.74 787 1.06 0.00 788 0.70 0.00 789 2.76 0.73 790 1.41 3.24 791 1.05 0.37 792 0.36 0.00 793 0.71 2.27 794 1.46 3.03 795 0.73 1.12 796 0.36 0.74 797 0.37 1.11 798 1.08 0.74 799 1.09 1.14 800 0.37 1.88

(39) The spectrum obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy is wavelength vs. absorption unit. The FSMI is then calculated by taking the sum of each absorbance unit at each wavelength (integer) and then dividing by 1000.

(40) Applying equation (1), FSMI for the oil AM under investigation was calculated to be 15.639. The FSMI for all of the oils shown in FIG. 1 was similarly calculated, and is shown in Table 5, below.

(41) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 AM AH L1 SSL XSL UR BI IHI MB API 28.8 27.4 30.3 30.2 36.8 31.6 30.8 30.0 19.6 Gravity, FSMI 15.639 32.086 38.436 11.951 37.938 50.243 38.549 42.667 34.691

(42) Applying equation (3) and the constants from Table 3, for the oil AM under review:
Cetane Number.sub.GO(CET)=K.sub.CET+X1.sub.CET*DEN+X2.sub.CET*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.CET*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.CET*FSMI+X5.sub.CET*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.CET*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.CET*DEN*FSMI=(2.920657E+04)+(8.247657E+04)(0.8828)+(8.008823E+04)(0.8828).sup.2+(2.758504E+04)(0.8828).sup.3+(1.273387E+02)(15.369)+(4.201752E01)(15.369).sup.2+(4.676128E03)(15.369).sup.3+(1.581570E+02)(0.8828)(15.369)=59
Pour Point.sub.GO(PP)=K.sub.PP+X1.sub.PP*DEN+X2.sub.PP*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.PP*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.PP*FSMI+X5.sub.PP*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.PP*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.PP*DEN*FSMI=(2.283807E+04)+(6.995129E+04)(0.8828)+(7.232753E+04)(0.8828).sup.2+(2.532512E+04)(0.8828).sup.3+(4.791017E+01)(15.369)+(8.303909E02)(15.369).sup.2+(7.142002E04)(15.369).sup.3+(5.156225E+01)(0.8828)(15.369)=10
Cloud Point.sub.GO(CP)=K.sub.CP+X1.sub.CP*DEN+X2.sub.CP*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.CP*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.CP*FSMI+X5.sub.CP*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.CP*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.CP*DEN*FSMI=(8.016178E+04)+(2.781445E+05)(0.8828)+(3.199487E+05)(0.8828).sup.2+(1.219746E+05)(0.8828).sup.3+(3.108188E+01)(15.369)+(1.963374E01)(15.369).sup.2+(1.983566E03)(15.369).sup.3+(4.212763E+01)(0.8828)(15.369)=10
Point.sub.GO(AP)=K.sub.AP+X1.sub.AP*DEN+X2.sub.AP*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.AP*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.AP*FSMI+X5.sub.AP*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.AP*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.AP*DEN*FSMI=(4.370054E+04)+(1.449824E+05)(0.8828)+(1.608909E+05)(0.8828).sup.2+(5.979962E+04)(0.8828).sup.3+(2.649713E+01)(15.369)+(5.686953E02)(15.369).sup.2+(3.346494E04)(15.369).sup.3+(2.749938E+01)(0.8828)(15.369)=66
Aromaticity.sub.WCO(AROM)=K.sub.AROM+X1.sub.AROM*DEN+X2.sub.AROM*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.AROM*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.AROM*FSMI+X5.sub.AROM*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.AROM*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.AROM*DEN*FSMI=(1.047903E+04)+(4.741776E+04)(0.8828)+(6.274074E+04)(0.8828).sup.2+(2.516125E+04)(0.8828).sup.3+(8.586987E+01)(15.369)+(6.843602E01)(15.369).sup.2+(7.078907E03)(15.369).sup.3+(1.207479E+02)(0.8828)(15.369)=20
Octane Number(ON)=K.sub.ON+X1.sub.ON*DEN+X2.sub.ON*DEN.sup.2+X3.sub.ON*DEN.sup.3+X4.sub.ON*FSMI+X5.sub.ON*FSMI.sup.2+X6.sub.ON*FSMI.sup.3+X7.sub.ON*DEN*FSMI=(8.202192E+05)+(2.845858E+06)(0.8828)+(3.290683E+06)(0.8828).sup.2+(1.268002E+06)(0.8828).sup.3+(1.182558E+01)(15.369)+(2.582860E+00)(15.369).sup.2+(1.277980E01)(15.369).sup.3+(0)(0.8828)(15.369)=52

(43) Accordingly, as shown in the above example, indicative properties including cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point, and aromaticity can be assigned to the crude oil samples without fractionation/distillation (crude oil assays).

(44) In alternate embodiments, the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computerized computing system. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that programs defining the functions of the present invention can be written in any appropriate programming language and delivered to a computer in any form, including but not limited to: (a) information permanently stored on non-writeable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices such as ROMs or CD-ROM disks); (b) information alterably stored on writeable storage media (e.g., floppy disks and hard drives); and/or (c) information conveyed to a computer through communication media, such as a local area network, a telephone network, or a public network such as the Internet. When carrying computer readable instructions that implement the present invention methods, such computer readable media represent alternate embodiments of the present invention.

(45) As generally illustrated herein, the system embodiments can incorporate a variety of computer readable media that comprise a computer usable medium having computer readable code means embodied therein. One skilled in the art will recognize that the software associated with the various processes described can be embodied in a wide variety of computer accessible media from which the software is loaded and activated. Pursuant to In re Beauregard, 35 U.S.P.Q.2d 1383 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,578), the present invention contemplates and includes this type of computer readable media within the scope of the invention. In certain embodiments, pursuant to In re Nuijten, 500 F.3d 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/211,928), the scope of the present claims is limited to computer readable media, wherein the media is both tangible and non-transitory.

(46) The system and method of the present invention have been described above and with reference to the attached figures; however, modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and the scope of protection for the invention is to be defined by the claims that follow.