Application of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry on Characterization of Sulfur Compounds in Heavy Oil

Sulfur compounds, which commonly are the most abundant hetero-atoms in heavy crude oil, make a significantly negative impact on the price of crude oil and the quality of the petroleum products. Analysis on sulfur compounds composition in crude oil was an important subject for petroleum chemist for more than a half century. Recently, fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry(FT-ICR MS) was used to characterize the crude oil and its products. The ultra high mass resolving power and high mass accuracy of FT-ICR MS allows the assignment of a unique elemental composition to each peak in the mass spectrum. It has made a significant breakthrough in “petroleomics” research. Coupling with various ionization sources, such as low energy electron impact ionization(EI), elctrospray ionization(ESI), atmospheric pressure photo ionization(APPI), atmospheric pressure laser ionization(APLI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization(APCI), matrix-assisted laser desorption(MALDI), and field desorption/field ionization(FD/FI), FT-ICR MS were successfully used to reveal the composition and distribution of sulfur compounds in crude oil. This paper presented the latest progress in research of sulfur compounds in heavy oil by FT-ICR MS.