Abstract
Upgrading heavy oil using syngas (CO + H2) as an alternative hydrogen source with a dispersed catalyst was investigated. Finely dispersed catalysts for upgrading were prepared by means of microemulsion, and their performance was investigated in a batch-type autoclave. This process was compared to the traditional pure hydrogen hydro-upgrading process. Feedstock conversion, light-oil yield, coke yield, product distribution, sulfur, nitrogen and viscosity were investigated comprehensively to optimize the process. The addition of finely dispersed catalysts could improve the distribution and performance of cracking products, and inhibit the cracking gas and coke formation. This work shows that residue-syngas coprocessing is promising for heavy oil upgrading.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The work was supported by China National Basic Research Program (2004CB217801 and 2004CB217803).