SARA-based kinetic model for non-catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy crude oil

Abstract

A new kinetic model based on SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, Asphaltenes) fractions for the non-catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy crude oil is proposed. The aquathermolysis experiments were carried out with Ashal'cha heavy oil in batch reactor at different reaction times (12-72 h) and temperatures (250 and 300 ?C). Different reactions in series and in parallel were considered in the model. The optimal values of estimated kinetic parameters were verified by sensitivity analysis. Residual analysis, parity plot, and average absolute error (less than 5%) demonstrated that the proposed kinetic model for the non-catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy crude oil fits well the experimental data.