Quenched nonisothermal pyrolysis of Asphalt Ridge tar sand and Boscan heavy oil mixtures

Abstract

Quenched nonisothermal experiments were performed on Asphalt Ridge tar sand and on mixtures of tar sand and Boscan oil at two heating rates. Reactions were quenched at temperatures in the range of 200-- 600{degree}C (392--1112{degree}F) and the nonvolatile organic products were sequentially extracted with n-heptane, toluene, and pyridine. Coke contents were determined by combustion. Kinetic analyses of the coversion of Asphalt Ridge tar sand and Boscan coprocessing mixtures show remarkable similarities. A kinetic fit to data from both Asphalt Ridge and Boscan oil coprocessing tests was performed with the result being a good fit to all the data. The shapes of the soluble, nonvolatile product concentrations indicate a series reaction scheme leading to the formation of coke and pyridine-soluble material. For the Asphalt Ridge tar sand, both heptane and toluene solubles decompose to form pyridine solubles and coke. For the Boscan oil/tar sand mixtures, heptane solubles form toluene solubles which form pyridine solubles and coke. 6 refs., 19 figs., 9 tabs.