| abstract |
A method of directly analyzing an environmental sample, such as a crude oil sample, to simultaneously determine distillation ranges, identify elements therein, and/or identify impurities. The method includes performing multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA) on the crude oil sample to obtain a thermogram of the elements within the crude oil sample, wherein peak information within the thermogram indicates presence of the elements, compounds, and/or impurities within the crude oil sample. |