Pyrolysis of unsubstituted mono-, di-, and tri-cycloalkanes
Three model compounds were chosen for study, namely cyclohexane (CYH), decahydronaphthalene (DHN), and perhydrophenanthrene (PHP), which respectively simulate unsubstituted cycloalkanes in the naphtha, kerosene, and atmospheric gas oil boiling ranges. Experimental results are presented concerning the characterization and pyrolysis of the model substrates; the pyrolysis data is also interpreted in terms of likely reaction mechanisms. Related work in progress includes further theoretical and experimental study of alicyclic pyrolysis pathways, with special attention to substituted substrates. Results show that virgin feedstocks rarely contain appreciable quantities of unsubstituted alicyclic compounds and therefore DHN and PHP, which possesses branched carbon atoms, should be much better analogs of the naphthenic fractions than is CYH. In regard to upgrading petrochemical feedstocks and coal liquids by catalytic hydrogenation, an example is given to show that the polynuclear aromatic molecules contained in the original feedstock must be hydrogenated to their fully alicyclic analogs in order to provide desirable pyrolysis products; partial hydrogenation leads to hydro-aromatic molecules which tend to revert to their fully aromatic form upon pyrolysis, contributing mainly to the relatively undesirable fuel oil fraction. Put another way, the incremental yield of desirable olefinic products increases most strongly as the feedstock aromatics content approaches zero.
- Research Organization:
- Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, MA
- OSTI ID:
- 6500853
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-780305-P3
- Journal Information:
- Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 23:3; ISSN ACPCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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