A new insight into compatibility changing rules for inferior vacuum residue’s thermal cracking and hydrocracking process

The thermal cracking and hydrocracking reactions of inferior vacuum residue with high asphaltene content and high residual carbon value provided by Qingdao refining & chemical company at different reaction time were carried out in a high pressure reactor under nitrogen atmosphere. The conversion ratios for those reactions were between 25.9 % and 38.9 %. Wiehe’s methods were taken to investigate the compatibility of the feed, thermal cracking (TC) reaction and hydrocracking (HC) products, and the product for 20 min thermal reaction was nearly incompatible. The structural information of the feed, thermal cracking and hydrocracking reaction products were determined by FT-ICR MS to reveal the compatibility changing rules. •Compatibility of thermal cracking products from compatible to nearly incompatible were firstly compared at molecular level.•Compatibility of thermal cracking and hydrocracking products were firstly compared at molecular level.•The aromatic sulfur compounds changing rules of thermal cracking and hydrocracking products were revealed at molecular level.•Aromaticity and side chains could be the dominated factors to determine the compatibility.