Upgrading of heavy oils by catalytic hydrocracking : basic review

Abstract EN

As we approach the era of limited crude oil supplies, catalytic hydrocracking of heavy oils is and will continue to be the center of attention for many researchers into the 21st century.

The process involves hundreds of simultaneous reactions taking place.

Hydrocracking is a first-order reaction with the kinetic data following a Langmuir-Hinshellwood approach.

Hydrocracking products are more paraffinic and less aromatic than the feedstock.

Fixed bed trickle reactors and backmixed ebulating bed reactors, usually in series, are widely used in commercial upgrading processes.

The selection of a suitable catalyst depends on different factors such as the catalyst activity, acidity, selectivity, life, poisons, and pore diffusional limitations.

The feed and product qualities are major elements in the catalyst selection process.

Pore diffusion in the hydrocracking catalyst can greatly effect the reaction rate.

A formulation for the optimum catalyst pore size in heavy petroleums processing is necessary to achieve high conversion levels