Structural Changes of Sub-fractions in Residue Hydrotreating Products by Ruthenium Catalyzed Oxidation

Abstract

Structure of aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes in petroleum residue was undertaken by using ruthenium ion catalyzed oxidation. The distribution of alkyl side chains and bridges connected to aromatic rings was quantified, and the condensed type of aromatic rings was deduced. The structural changes of fractions in residue during hydrotreating were discussed. The results showed that fractions have abundant alkyl side chains (C1–C27), mainly n-alkyl side chains, attached to aromatic carbons, and polymethylene bridges connected to at least two aromatic ring systems are also present. The molar concentrations of these alkyl groups are declined as the increase of chain length. Cata-condensed, peri-condensed, and biphenyl-type aromatic unit structures coexist in fractions, while the proportion of biphenyl type structure is relatively small. The aromatic structure of aromatics is mostly cata-condensed, while for resins the proportion of cata-condensed and peri-condensed type aromatic structures is comparable, and structure of asphaltene is mostly peri-condensed. The chemical structure of fractions in residue changed due to the increase of hydrotreating degree. The enrichment of large aromatic units made asphaltene have more aromatic structures and higher condensed degree.