Recovery of useful lighter fuels from petroleum residual oil by oxidative cracking with steam using iron oxide catalyst

Abstract

In petroleum industry, it is desirable to produce lighter hydrocarbons such as gasoline, kerosene and gas–oil from unused heavy oils. Thus we have developed zirconia-supporting iron oxide catalysts ( ZrO 2 – FeO X catalyst ) to decompose petroleum residual oil (atmospheric distilled residual oil) with steam. In addition, we have found that the incorporation of Al 2 O 3 among FeO X crystals is effective in improving the catalytic activity and stability of the ZrO 2–FeO X catalyst. In this study, the effects of Al 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 content in FeO X –based catalysts on catalytic activity and stability were investigated. Furthermore, the FeO X –based catalyst was applied to the decomposition of extra heavy oils such as vacuum distilled residual oil and Orimulsion. These extra heavy oils were effectively decomposed over the ZrO 2–Al 2O 3–FeO X catalyst with steam, and the yields of lighter hydrocarbon reached to above 60%