Extending the true boiling point curve of a heavy crude oil by means of molecular distillation and characterization of the products obtained

ABSTRACT

Petroleum is evaluated by means of the true boiling point (TBP) curve, making possible to investigate the yields of the products that will be obtained in refineries, as well as establishing operating strategies and process optimization. Refineries determine TBP curves until 838 K. With molecular distillation the TBP can reach values up to 973 K. Molecular distillation shows potential in the separation, purification, and concentration of products. Eta residue is fractioned and the TBP of the whole crude oil is extended. Products of the distillation were characterized by density, SimDis (simulated distillation), and molar mass. Results showed that density and molar mass of the cuts obtained increase as the process temperature increases. These analyses confirm the efficiency of the separation method by molecular distillation.

KEYWORDS:

• molar mass
• molecular distillation
• SimDis
• true boiling point curve

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to FAPESP and PETROBRAS/CENPES for the financial support for this project.