| Abstract: | The present study examined the effects of ultrasonic radiation on the properties, structural parameters and fluidized catalytic cracking(FCC) performance of vacuum residue. We found that ultrasonic radiation markedly decreased the viscosity, carbon residue and average molecular weight, but slightly affected the density of vacuum residue. Besides, chromatographic analyses of SARA fractions revealed that asphaltene, resin and aromatic components were reduced, while saturates increased after ultrasonic radiation. Furthermore, FT-IR, ~1H-NMR, elemental analysis and VPO analysis indicated that the structural unit number(n), unit structure weights(usw), carbon fraction in aromatic structure(fA), naphthenic structure(fN) and naphthenic rings(RN) were decreased while the carbon fraction in paraffinic structures(fP) was increased. FCC showed an increased conversion rate(by 2.7%) and gasoline yield(by 3.7%). In sum, the ultrasonic radiation may facilitate and improve the secondary processing of vacuum residue. |
