Study and characterization of heavy oil fractions obtained from molecular distillation and definition of physicochemical properties for the modeling of this process

Author(s)

Julie Andrea Ballesteros Hernández

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2009-05-27

Examining board members

Maria Regina Wolf Maciel; Luiz Felipe Mendes de Moura; César Benedito Batistella

• Advisor: Maria Regina Wolf Maciel

Abstract

The Brazilian reality includes the presence of heavy oil and the demand for lighter products in the oil industry is increasing. Thus, refineries tend to convert a portion of their residues in light fractions. In the case of Brazilian oil, the difference in the quantity and quality of residues of the vacuum column requires development to add value to them and also to meet the demand. A detailed characterization is necessary and important before setting optimized routes for processing. This dissertation aims to contribute with the development of a methodology for the characterization of heavy fractions of national petroleum through the determination and estimation of some physicochemical properties of petroleum fundamental, still, for the development of the modeling of the molecular distillation, a process that was used for generation of cuts and residues. In this context, experiments were performed in a molecular distiller with heavy fractions of a Brazilian oil at different temperatures, which were increased systematically. The cuts and the residues obtained in the distillation were collected, quantified and characterized for both distiller streams. With the experimental results, the true boiling point curves were determined using the DESTMOL correlation, along with the extension of the curve to values close to 700°C. These results contributed to the modeling and simulation of the molecular distillation process by the determination or estimation of physicochemical properties as density, molar mass, specific heat, enthalpy, viscosity, thermal conductivity and critical properties. (AU)