Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the potential of using microwave techniques in the refinement of heavy fraction of petroleums such as bunker oil. After discussing the fundamental issues associated with conversion of microwave energy into heat, we present measurements of the dielectric properties of heavy oils at 2.45 GHz using a highly sensitive resonant cavity method, and also over a broader frequency range (100 MHz to 8 GHz) using a coaxial probe technique. We find that the dielectric loss is very small even in these heavy oils, but still may be sufficiently large to provide efficient conversion of microwave energy into heat on untreated samples, and could be massively enhanced by means of a microwave-absorbing additive (e.g., carbon black). We conclude by discussing the design of a suitable microwave actuator for heavy oil cracking within a flow process.
Highlights
There is an ever-increasing global demand for high value, light olefins such as ethylene, propylene and butylene, which form the essential building blocks for the petrochemical industry
After discussing the fundamental issues associated with conversion of microwave energy into heat, we present measurements of the dielectric properties of heavy oils at 2.45 GHz using a highly sensitive resonant cavity method, and over a broader frequency range (100 MHz to 8 GHz) using a coaxial probe technique
We find that the dielectric loss is very small even in these heavy oils, but still may be sufficiently large to provide efficient conversion of microwave energy into heat on untreated samples, and could be massively enhanced by means of a microwave-absorbing additive
Summary
There is an ever-increasing global demand for high value, light olefins such as ethylene, propylene and butylene, which form the essential building blocks for the petrochemical industry These demands, coupled with more stringent environmental regulations for automotive fuel, cannot be met by conventional petrochemical technologies. We investigate the use of microwave technologies to assist in the high-efficiency conversion of crude oil to light olefins, aromatics and other high-value chemicals. It might be possible to heat the crude oil directly with very high power microwaves to attain the required reaction temperatures. A resonant microwave cavity is an efficient structure for converting microwave energy into heat These are robust metal structures that can withstand the rigors of an industrial environment that are variants of the common domestic oven, except that they are often designed for single mode operation.
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