| Asphaltenes are complex mixtures of highly aromatic hydrocarbons containing (sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen) and metals (iron, vanadium and nickel). They are likely coke precursors and have a deleterious effect on the life of heterogeneous catalysts. Homogeneous catalysis may prove to be a more practical route for heavy oil and residuum hydrotreating.;Our investigation indicated that Mo is more reactive than Co in the desulphurization of asphaltene and HDN of quinoline. However, Co exhibited higher activity in coke suppression. Furthermore, molecular hydrogen plays a more important role than hydrogen-donor solvent in supplying hydrogen for the asphaltene conversion, desulphurization and quinoline HDN. Donor solvent in the absence of molecular hydrogen plays an important role in supplying hydrogen for asphaltene conversion. However, hydrogen supplied by donor solvent was inadequate for hydrodesulphurization and HDN reactions.;The present investigation focuses on the upgrading of asphaltene and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of quinoline, a model compound representative of nitrogen species in asphaltene. Catalysts, Mo and Co naphthenates, and solvents, tetralin (TET) and tert-butylbenzene (TBB) were used in the investigation. The investigation was carried out in a batch autoclave reactor in hydrogen and nitrogen environments. The reaction parameters studied ranged from 410-450... |
