Utilization of Binary Mixtures of Different Solvents for Aromatics Extraction from a Petroleum Wax Distillate Feedstock

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Egyptian Petroleum Institute

2 Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI)

3 Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City

4 Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute

5 Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Most of petroleum fractions contain detectable contents of aromatic structures that include different categories. Aromatics in general and condensed aromatics particularly are of strong hazardous impact due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature. Therefore, the disposal of such compounds from the various petroleum products is powerfully advised. This research work introduces the use of various binary solvents mixtures for removal of aromatics from a petroleum wax distillate fraction. N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was individually used at the first place as a main extracting agent. Significant reduction of aromatics content was noticed however not limited to the condensed aromatic structures. Binary mixtures made of NMP and different percentages of water, ethylene glycol or ethanol amine (as anti-solvent) were then utilized to improve the selectivity of removal toward condensed aromatics. Noticeable variations in the contents of di- and poly aromatics with corresponding increases in the mono-aromatic content through the use of the different binary mixtures could be attained. Optimization of the most suitable composition for each of the binary mixtures was then determined, based on the characteristics of the gained products from the extraction processes.

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