Solubility and Activation of Hydrogen in the Non-Catalytic Upgrading of Venezuela Orinoco, China Liaohe, and China Fengcheng Atmospheric Residues

Abstract

The solubility of hydrogen in the Venezuela Orinoco, China Liaohe, and China Fengcheng atmospheric residues under reaction conditions of 400 °C, 4 MPa for 20 min was analyzed by determining the composition and structure changes of the products. Activation of hydrogen during the upgrading process was also determined and discussed by the probe method. The results show that lighter components produced in the reaction can increase the hydrogen solubility as the reaction proceeds, and the lighter components present at the liquid level have positive effects on the transfer of hydrogen from the gas phase to the liquid phase. Naphthenic aromatic structures, sulphur and metals have a positive effect on hydrogen activation in the trend of naphthenic aromatic structures > sulphur > metals. Moreover, when sulphur is present, nickel tetraphenylporphyrin has a better effect on hydrogen activation than Vanadium tetraphenylporphyrin. During upgrading, the Venezuela Orinoco atmospheric residue with more sulphur, metals and naphthenic aromatic structures can activate more hydrogen. Both the hydrogen solubility and residue composition have significant effect on the upgrading process.