Solid Hydrogen Transfer Agents for Heavy Crude Upgrading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for upgrading heavy crude oils, such as catalytic hydroprocessing and thermal cracking, face inefficiencies in hydrogen use, high coke formation, and deposition issues, limited by the availability and partial pressure of hydrogen, which hampers the improvement of crude oil properties like API gravity and viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Development of solid hydrogen transfer agents from polymers containing naphthalene, phenanthrene, or anthracene units, supported on metallic oxides, which can be reused and provide enhanced thermal stability, activity, and reduced coke formation by facilitating hydrogen transfer in hydrogenation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catalytic hydroprocessing or thermal cracking is used to upgrade heavy crude oils, then hydrogen addition and carbon rejection occur, but hydrogen use efficiency is low and coke formation is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces solid hydrogen transfer agents as intermediary substances that facilitate hydrogen transfer from gas phase to liquid phase through surface-mediated reactions. These agents act as mediators between molecular hydrogen and heavy crude oil components, enabling efficient hydrogenation without direct gas-liquid contact limitations. The solid agents provide active sites for hydrogen activation and transfer, resolving the contradiction by improving hydrogen utilization efficiency while reducing coke formation through controlled hydrogen availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen transfer agents from liquid to solid phase, and modifies the chemical structure by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, phenolic hydroxyl) that enhance hydrogen transfer capability. This parameter change enables the agents to operate effectively at lower hydrogen partial pressures while maintaining high hydrogen transfer efficiency, thereby improving productivity and reducing harmful coke formation.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen partial pressure is increased to improve hydrogenation reactions, then hydrogen availability improves, but equipment complexity and operating pressure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing hydrogen pressure to improve hydrogenation with a chemical approach using solid hydrogen transfer agents. These agents chemically activate and transfer hydrogen at low partial pressures through surface reactions, substituting the need for high-pressure mechanical systems. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high hydrogen availability through chemical mechanisms rather than mechanical pressure increase.
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid hydrogen donors are used for hydrogen transfer, then hydrogen transfer capability is achieved, but thermal stability and reusability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid and modifies chemical composition by incorporating stable polymeric structures with specific functional groups. This parameter change confers superior thermal stability while maintaining hydrogen transfer capability through surface-mediated mechanisms. The solid state and stable chemical structure prevent degradation at high temperatures, resolving the contradiction between hydrogen transfer capability and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of solid hydrogen transfer agents after reaction, unlike consumable liquid donors. The stable solid agents can be separated from the reaction mixture and regenerated, allowing multiple cycles of use. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining thermal stability and composition integrity across multiple use cycles, enabling both effective hydrogen transfer and long-term stability.
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
These solid hydrogen transfer agents improve API gravity, reduce viscosity, increase distillate yields, and inhibit coke formation during thermal treatment and hydrotreatment of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils, offering a more efficient and stable solution compared to liquid hydrogen donors.
Implementation Method 1
Solid hydrogen transfer agents prepared from a polymer having units containing the naphthalene structure are easily dehydrogenated, transferring hydrogen atoms to the heavy hydrocarbons in the crude oil
Implementation Method 2
improving the crude oil flow properties, reducing its viscosity, increasing its API gravity and minimizing coke formation by inhibiting the polymerization reaction of heavy molecules, that proceeds via a free-radicals mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the process for preparing improved solid hydrogen transfer agents obtained from a polymer with units containing the structure of naphthalene, phenanthrene or anthracene, which exhibit activity as hydrogen transfer agents in any chemical reduction reaction involving the breaking of double bonds and in treatment, hydrotreatment and hydrodisintegration reactions of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils and of cuts and currents derived therefrom. These improved solid hydrogen transfer agents can be supported and not supported on metal oxides such as boehmite, alumina, silica, titania, kaolin and/or mixture thereof, in the presence of reducing agents such as hydrogen, methane, or natural gas. In addition, the application of these improved solid hydrogen transfer agents obtained from a polymer with units containing the structure of naphthalene, phenanthrene or anthracene, it allows to improve properties of the crudes such as viscosity, decrease in the formation of coke, increase in the yield of distillates and in API gravity. These hydrogen transfer agents, being solid, can be reused and recovered from the reaction medium; they also have a thermal stability such that it can carry out reactions at temperatures up to 450° C.