ABSTRACT

This project presents a work aimed at comparing some Trace Metals in some Nigerian Crude Oil Samples. Five metals which are of interest include: Vanadium (V). Sodium (Na), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni). The three types of crude oil samples available in Nigerian are the: light crude, medium crude and the heavy crude. The light crude used for this analysis was obtained from Shell Petroleum Development Company, Kolokoma and Brass terminals, while the Medium Crude was obtained from her kolo creek and obigbo terminals. The heavy crude was obtained from Nembe Shell Petroleum Development Company and Agbara Platform of the Agip Station. The crudes were quantitatively analyzed for the metals mentioned above using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method and the results were compared. The results obtained indicates that there are varying amounts of each metal in a particular sample. These variation is a function of the parental source of the crude oils, its location and crude types. Vanadium and Nickel metal predominate in all the crudég ad with higher Vanadium than Nickel concentration in all samples. The adverse effects of these metals on the refinery processes is discussed.