Comparison of upgrading of heavy oil and vacuum distillation residues by supercritical water

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to test the upgrading technology by supercritical water of two different raw materials heavy oil and vacuum distillation residue. The experiments were carried out under the same conditions (temperature 400°C, pressure 236 bar). The products obtained after upgrading were analyzed. Density, viscosity, SARA-composition, elemental composition and composition of saturates fraction were determined. The results revealed that after upgrading at 400°C during 60 minutes raw materials heavy oil and vacuum residues yielded light oil 85.6 % and 64.7 %, coke at level of 11.3 % and 13.7 % and gaseous products 3.1 % and 21.6 %.