As a low-cost, low-sulfur, and high API oil, heavy oil is attracting more and more attention from refineries. However, due to its high sulfur content, low API, and high total carbon content, the refining technology of heavy oil has become a challenge for refineries.
This paper examines the economic drivers behind processing lower‑cost, heavier crude oils and the resulting increase in vacuum residue (VR) that leads to higher fuel‑oil output. It outlines the challenges refineries face with high‑sulfur, low‑API crudes and the need for technologies that can convert VR into more valuable products while reducing fuel‑oil make.
KBR presents several technology options, including carbon‑rejection methods such as solvent deasphalting (ROSE) and pelletization (AQUAFORM), as well as hydrogen‑addition processes. The document details the performance of these technologies, the quality of deasphalted oil (DAO), and various pathways for utilizing the resulting asphaltene product, from solid fuels to coking and partial oxidation feedstocks.
| Sulfur content of DAO | 0.79 wt% |
|---|---|
| FCC conversion yield for DAO | 80.3% |
The paper lists solvent deasphalting (ROSE) and pelletizer (AQUAFORM) as carbon‑rejection technologies.
The DAO achieves about an 80.3% conversion in FCC processing.