Effect of WC/Ni–Cr additive on changes in the composition of an atmospheric residue in the course of cracking

Abstract

The paper presents the results of investigation of changes in the composition of hydrocarbons and sulfur-containing compounds of an atmospheric residue in the course of cracking in the presence of a tungsten carbide–nickel–chromium (WC/Ni–Cr) catalytic additive and without it. The cracking is carried out in an autoclave at 500 °C for 30 min. The addition of the WC/Ni–Cr additive promotes the deepening of reactions of destruction not only of resins and asphaltenes, but also high molecular weight naphthene-aromatic compounds of the atmospheric residue. It is shown that the content of low molecular weight C9–C17 n-alkanes and C9–C10 alkylbenzenes rose sharply in the products of cracking with addition of WC/Ni–Cr in comparison with those produced without the additive. Alkyl- and naphthene-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons of benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene series, polyarenes, benzo- and dibenzothiophenes are identified.