Trace-element patterns in fuel oils and gasolines for use in source apportionment

Abstract

Over 30 fuel oils used for power generation in 1980 and 1988 were analyzed for 30 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis to determine concentration patterns useful in source apportionment. The generally more viscous #6 oils contained higher concentrations of most elements than the more refined #4 and #2 fuel oils for both years. Results indicate that, while many elements in the fuel oils have decreased in concentration during this time, the rare-earth elements (REEs) have remained steady, apparently owing to the continued use of REE-containing catalysts for petroleum refining. Because the fuel oils contained similar REE enrichments and ratios as observed in cracking catalysts and emissions from refineries and oil combustion, their REE signatures are applicable to receptor modeling. Much lower trace-element concentrations were observed in current unleaded gasolines and the REEs appear depleted. © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.