A synthetic crude oil derived from Utah A-seam coal by the char-oil-energy development (COED) process was separated into two distillates and one residuum fraction and characterized by methods developed earlier by the Bureau of Mines for characterization of the heavy fractions of petroleum. A combination of several analytical techniques including gel permeation chromatography (GPC), adsorption chromatography, and NMR spectroscopy were used in the characterization of the two distillate fractions and one residuum fraction prepared from the syncrude. The hydrocarbon types found in the synthetic crude oil were similar to those found in petroleum crude oils except that the aromatic concentrates were a large part of the total oil and the amount of alkyl substitution on the aromatic rings were greater. Other differences from petroleum notes were the presence of significant amounts of oxygen compounds and an almost uniform distribution of nitrogen compounds across the boiling range. The behavior of the hydrocarbon types in the separation processes was similar to that of petroleum-derived materials.

This project developed and evaluated methods for distinguishing between natural gases from different sources. Identification of particular "batches" of gas can be of considerable importance. For example, means of distinguishing between gases can demonstrate whether a gas appearing at the surface over a storage area is migrating storage gas or is gas formed by bacterial action above the storage zone. As another example, identification methods can allow detection of migration from a storage zone to an adjacent production zone. Two general methods were evaluated/developed in this project: tracers and compositional methods. Relative migration rates of a series of potential tracers were evaluated under a variety of conditions and in varying reservoir materials. Tracers having the best migration characteristics were identified. Potential tracers (either present in natural gas or added) which are not detected by electron capture or flame ionization detectors need improved methods of detection. The discharge ionization detector was evaluated for the detection of argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, Freon-14 (carbon tetrafluoride), and neon. Two computer programs, based on regression and factor analysis methods, to aid in the identification of gases using compositional analyses, were further developed and improved.