A kinetic model for pyrolysis of petroleum residue under nonisothermal conditions

Kinetic study on pyrolysis of petroleum residue was carried out by an accurate Arrhenius type equation at heating rate of 0.5–30.0°C/min under nonisothermal conditions. The influence of some critical parameters including temperature, heating rate and activation energy on mass conversion was evaluated. The apparent activation energies for during the pyrolysis process were in the range of 198–361 kJ/mol at various mass conversions of 5–94%. The reaction temperature was introduced as the most important parameter for the improvement of mass conversion, compared to that of other parameters. The pyrolysis of petroleum residue was occurred in a broad temperature range, from 150–650°C, yielding 33 wt% unpyrolyzed residue. It also was found that an increase in heating rate has a minor impact in the process. Model predictions were compared with experimental data, which showed fully good agreement.