Ionic liquid catalyst for the improvement of heavy crude and vacuum residues

摘要

Heavy crude oil residue and vacuum residue is upgraded using an ionic liquid catalyst formulated with metals of Group VIB and VIIIB of the periodic table, which catalyst is highly miscible in the hydrocarbon phase. The combination of different metals and acidity from the protons that make up the ionic liquid breaks the links C—S, C—N and C—O of the resins and asphaltenes and increases API gravity, decreases viscosity, removes sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and results in conversion of 50 to 70% of the waste oil and heavy crude oil into lighter distillates.