Upgrading of Atmospheric Crude Oil Residue

Hydrocracking (HDC) is one of the most attractive process alternatives for producing light fractions from heavy crudes. The effect of operating conditions on conversion and selectivity of distillate cuts by a new approach of hydrocracking of atmospheric residue was studied. Experimentations were carried out over a commercial nickel-molybdenum on alumina (Ni-Mo/γ-Al₂O₃) catalyst in a continuous flow trickle bed reactor. It was observed that pressure influence the hydrocracking yields. Also, an increasing in hydrogen concentration in liquid phase has a favorable effect on cracking reactions due to enhancing hydrogenation of coke formed at elevated temperature. The overall conversion and selectivity were highly increased with a significant reduction of heavy metals.