Reduction of Sulphur in Marine Residual Fuels by Deasphalting to Produce VLSFO

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the controlled sedimentation process for deasphalting, caused by targeted formation of the fuel dispersed system components incompatibility (proportion of the paraffins with normal structure increase) experimental investigations. The main purpose was to decrease the contained amount of sulphur in sedentary marine fuel and procure VLSFO. Developed and given account of the laboratorial method of instituting the sediment which modifies standard TSP and allows to control the deasphalting with the take-off of sediment and deasphaltisate for future analysis. In this case, 5 components of marine fuels, their basic physical and chemical properties, and chemical group composition were used as an object of study. Based on the data obtained and via use of worked out software package, 6 compositions of marine fuels were specified. Furthermore, they were then produced and their quality attributes were defined. The results show that the deasphalting caused by the components targeted incompatibility is accompanied by the desulphurization. Sulphur concentration took place in the sediment where its content was 4.5 times higher than in composite fuel. At the same time, sediment content fell from 0.9% to 1.02% by weight according to the fuel composition. The sulphur content in the resulting deasphaltisate declined by approximately 15% in relation to original fuel mix, moreover, other quality indicators improved. In order to find out whether the usage of sediment obtained is possible, its composition and structure were assessed. The results of the interpretation showed, that sediments were inclined to bitumens, which allows them to be mixed with sediments as a way to cut process waste. Targeted deasphalting makes it possible for the expenses on reducing sulphur containment in marine residual fuels to be decreased, which expands the opportunities of fuels application according to ISO 8217:2017.