What are the main components measured by simulated distillation?

Simulated distillation, often performed according to ASTM D2887 or similar methods, measures the boiling point distribution of a petroleum sample. Instead of physically distilling the sample, which can be time-consuming and require large sample volumes, simulated distillation uses gas chromatography to separate the components of the sample based on their boiling points. The main components measured are the weight percentage of the sample that boils within specific temperature ranges. The data is then used to create a boiling point curve, which shows the percentage of the sample that has vaporized at each temperature. This allows for the determination of the initial boiling point (IBP), the final boiling point (FBP), and the percentage of the sample that boils within any given temperature range. The results are typically reported as the weight percent recovered at different boiling point temperatures, for example, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% points. These data points are essential for characterizing the composition and properties of petroleum fractions, predicting their behavior in refining processes, and ensuring product quality. The simulated distillation method effectively simulates the results of a true boiling point (TBP) distillation but in a faster and more efficient manner.