PROCESS FOR STABILIZATION OF HEAVY HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A process for stabilization of heavy hydrocarbons to reduce sludge formation in storage tanks and/or transportation lines and to enhance the hydrocarbon yield includes mixing a paraffinic or heavy naphtha solvent having carbon numbers in the range 10 to 20 with the feedstock to solvent-flocculate a relatively small, predetermined portion of asphaltenes present in the feedstock, separating and flashing the sediment to recover a light hydrocarbon fraction, flashing the heavy hydrocarbon/solvent phase and recycling the solvent to stabilize the heavy hydrocarbons without significantly affecting the yield of valuable products.