Study of Graphitic Crystallites in Some Carbonized Residues Prepared From Catalytic Cracking of Asphalt

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the carbonization of asphalt collected from the Morgah Oil Refinery, Rawilpindi, Pakistan. The asphalt (80/90) was carbonized in a micro‐autoclave under nitrogen environment at 300°C. To enhance cracking reactions of side chains, and condensation of polycyclic configurations, the sample was also loaded with catalysts such as Zeolite Socony Mobil No. 5 (ZSM‐5), phosphotungstic acid, coal ash and Utmanzai clay (UTIMAC). Each carbonized residue was crushed with mortar and pestle and soxhlet extracted with n‐pentane for removal of oil, dried and analyzed by X‐ray diffractometery (XRD). The appearance of distinct bands correspond to crystallites in some samples particularly those loaded with UTIMAC has established graphitization.

Keywords:

• Petroleum pitch
• carbonization
• graphitization
• thermal
• catalytic cracking