Hydrorefining Clarified Oil for High Aromatic Base Oil

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing highly aromatic base oils for rubber processing and asphalt reclamation face limitations in production volume and compliance with regulations regarding carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds, necessitating a novel and efficient method to achieve high aromatic content while reducing harmful compounds.

Innovation Solution

A method involving hydrorefining clarified oil to achieve an aromatic content of 50% or more, followed by mixing with other base oils to meet specific viscosity and purity standards, and optionally using fractionation or adsorption treatments to reduce specific aromatic compounds below regulatory limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If extract is produced by lubricant oil production equipment to obtain highly aromatic base oil, then aromatic content and rubber compounding performance are improved, but production volume is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic contentVSAvoidproduction volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the production method from extract production via lubricant oil equipment to hydrorefining of clarified oil from fluid catalytic cracking. This parameter change in the production process enables significantly increased production volume while maintaining high aromatic content (50% or more by mass) through controlled hydrorefining conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts clarified oil from fluid catalytic cracking slurry oil by removing catalyst particles, then applies hydrorefining to transform this clarified oil into highly aromatic base oil. This extraction and transformation process replaces the limited extract production method with a scalable hydrorefining process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If hydrorefining conditions are intensified to increase aromatic content, then rubber compounding performance is improved, but production cost and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic contentVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes hydrorefining parameters including temperature (300-400°C), pressure (5-20 MPa), hydrogen-to-oil ratio (300-750 NL/L), and space velocity (0.3-2.0 h⁻¹) to achieve high aromatic content (50% or more) while controlling energy consumption. These parameter settings balance reaction efficiency with energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses commercially available hydrorefining catalysts and standard hydrorefining process conditions that are already optimized in the industry, copying proven energy-efficient parameters rather than developing new high-energy processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used to produce highly aromatic base oil, then rubber compounding performance is improved, but compliance with carcinogenic compound regulations is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic contentVSAvoidcarcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses hydrorefining, a process traditionally used to remove aromatics, in reverse - by controlling conditions to preserve and concentrate aromatic content while simultaneously removing harmful polycyclic aromatic compounds. The hydrorefining process converts the potential harm of high aromatic content into benefit by selectively removing carcinogenic compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adjusts hydrorefining parameters (temperature, pressure, catalyst type, residence time) to achieve selective removal of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds while maintaining high aromatic content (50% or more). This parameter optimization enables compliance with regulations while preserving desirable aromatic properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables the production of highly aromatic base oils that excel in workability, extensibility, and economic performance, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards for rubber compounding and asphalt reclamation, with reduced levels of carcinogenic compounds.

Implementation Method 1

a method involving hydrorefining clarified oil to achieve an aromatic content of 50% or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

a step of hydrorefining a clarified oil to obtain a highly aromatic base oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrorefining:

Implementation Method 3

optionally using fractionation or adsorption treatments to reduce specific aromatic compounds below regulatory limits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9988583B2Highly aromatic base oil and method for producing highly aromatic base oil
Publication Date: 2018.06.05 ENEOS CORP

AI summary

A method for producing a highly aromatic base oil of the present invention includes a step of hydrorefining a clarified oil to obtain a highly aromatic base oil having an aromatic content of 50% by mass or more determined by a column chromatography analysis method. The step of hydrorefining a clarified oil is preferably performed under conditions of a hydrogen pressure of 5.0 to 20.0 MPa, a temperature of 280 to 400° C., a hydrogen oil ratio of 300 to 750 NL/L, and a space velocity of 0.3 to 2.0 h−1. According to the present invention, a highly aromatic base oil used for rubber processing, asphalt reclamation and the like, and a novel method for producing a highly aromatic base oil can be provided.