James J. Colyar

Contribution of analytical tools for the understanding of sediment formation: Application to H-Oil® process

Abstract Analytical studies were performed concerning the H-Oil® Process to better understand the mechanisms involved during residue conversion and the possible formation of sediment. Asphaltenes present in residue are known to behave as colloïdal species since they form micelles, aggregates and can flocculate depending on the temperature, pressure and solvating power of the other hydrocarbons in the residue. In this study, different catalysts were tested in the H-Oil Process pilot units and the stability of effluents was evaluated using the Martin–Bailey and the IP methods. To obtain a more detailed insight into the characterization of the residue, the following analyses were performed: group-type separation of effluents (S.A.R.A method) followed by elementary analyses of the fractions, nickel and vanadium content, molecular weight distribution by steric exclusion chromatography, and X-ray diffraction to obtain the Yen parameters of the asphaltenes in the solid state. Additionally, a solvent fractionation of the asphaltenes was evaluated in order to reach the “hard core” asphaltene which is considered to be important in sediment formation. We will show data trends obtained from these characterizations and the way that these analytical techniques can further contribute to the better knowledge of the H-Oil® Process.