A simple test method for distinguishing straight-run from thermal (visbreaker) residues or bitumens

Abstract

A simple and quick test method was developed to distinguish thermally cracked materials, especially visbreaker residues and bitumens, from uncracked products, such as straight-run distillation bitumens and residues. The method is based on the reactivity of thermal residues and bitumens with phosphoric acid to form high-molecular-weight products that are clearly visible as black spots in a thin film of the treated material. © 1995.