Refining of Vacuum Residues by Aquathermolysis Reaction

In this study, the reforming reaction of vacuum residue (VR) was carried out using aquathermolysis reaction. VR showed a prone to decrease the amount of resins and asphaltenes in the constituents, and to increase saturates and aromatics when reacting with steam at 30 bar and above $300^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. This tendency became more evident when the amount of steam used was excessive than the amount of VR. When the aquathermolysis reaction was performed at $300^{\circ}C$ and 30 bar for 48 h, the VR composition was changed from the initial state (S/A/R/A = 7.3%/43.7%/25.6%/23.5%) to final state (S/A/R/A = 6.8%/57%/12.2%/24.0%), and the contents of the resins decreased by 13% and the aromatic compounds increased by 13%. The viscosity decreased from 880,000 cp to 290,000 cp by 68%. When 10% of decalin, which is easy to provide hydrogen, was added, the viscosity decreased by 68% in 24 h. The VR composition showed a reduction in the contents of resins and asphaltenes from 49% to 17% from the initial state (S/A/R/A = 7.3%/43.7%/25.6%/23.5%) to the final state (S/A/R/A = 4.5%/63.5%/12.5%/20.0%), and the content of aromatics was maximized to 63.5%. The gas layer formed by the aquathermolysis reaction in the reactor chamber was collected and analyzed by GC-MS spectroscopy. As a result, various hydrocarbon compounds such as ethylbenzene, octane and dimethylbenzene were detected.

Aquathermolysis 반응에 의한 감압잔사유의 개질

본 연구에서는 aquathermolysis 반응을 이용하여 감압잔사유(VR)의 개질 반응을 실시하였다. 감압잔사유는 30 bar, $300^{\circ}C$ 이상에서 24 h 동안 수증기(steam)와 반응하면, 구성성분 중에서 레진류와 아스팔텐류가 감소하고, 포화탄화수소류(saturates)나 방향족탄화수소류(aromatics)가 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 이러한 경향은 수증기(steam)량이 감압잔사유와 동일 중량부 이상으로 과량 사용 시 더 확연하였다. $300^{\circ}C$, 30 bar 이상에서 48 h 반응하는 경우 VR 조성물은 초기상태(S/A/R/A = 7.3%/43.7%/25.6%/23.5%)에서 최종상태(S/A/R/A = 6.8%/57%/12.2%/24.0%)로 레진류의 함량이 전체에서 13% 정도 감소하고 방향족화합물들은 13% 정도 증가하였다. 이때 점도는 880,000 cp에서 290,000 cp로 68% 정도 감소하였다. 수소를 제공하기 쉬운 데칼린(decalin)을 10% 첨가하는 경우 24 h에 점도가 68% 정도 감소하였고, VR 조성물은 초기상태(S/A/R/A = 7.3%/43.7%/25.6%/23.5%)에서 최종상태(S/A/R/A = 4.5%/63.5%/12.5%/20.0%)로 레진류 및 아스팔텐의 함량이 49%에서 17%가 감소하였고, 방향족 화합물의 함량이 63.5%로 극대화되었다. Aquathermolysis 반응으로 형성된 기체층을 포집하여 GC-MS spectroscopy로 분석한 결과 에틸벤젠, 옥탄, 디메틸벤젠 등 다양한 탄화수소 화합물들이 검출됨을 확인하였다.