CATALYTIC CRACKING OF HEAVY OIL OF ALIF FIELD – MARIB- YEMEN

Abstract

The study presents the results of the catalytic cracking process of heavy oil of the Alif – Marib field in Yemen. The best conditions of the process, pressure, temperature, and using zeolite HZSM-5 as catalyst were selected. Based on the characteristics of the heavy oil, the analyses were done using a gas chromatography technique and catalytic cracking unit designed in the laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Petrochemical faculty at Al-Baath University- Syria., refining process was done in Refining Company- Homs. The results of simple distillation of the cracking products at different range of temperature were (Gasoline= 19.5%; Kerosene=15%; Light gas oil= 36%; Distillate residue= 29.5%) and gases (CH4= 67.55 %; C2H4= 14.66 %; C2H6= 7.48 %; H3H8= 9.24%; C4H10=1.06 %).

Extraction by sulfuric acid was done. An 84.044% oil-free aromatic has been gotten. In order to remove total paraffins from the oily cut that has a high pour point, different solvents were used. The properties of the oily cut from which the paraffin wax was removed gave encouraging results.