Evaluation of hydroconverted residues. Rationalization of analytical data through hydrogen transfer balance

Analytical evaluation of petroleum based materials and processed feeds is a complex task relying on a compromise between tedious in-depth characterizations and fast responding tools for process control. In the present paper, a large number of hydroprocessed vacuum residues, obtained either under catalytic or thermal conditions, have been submitted to the following analytical techniques: Simulated distillation, coupled Simdist/MS, UV spectroscopy, 13C NMR, quantitative thin-layer chromatography/FID, vapor phase osmometry. A confrontation of analytical data in the light of correlations with hydrogen transfer evaluation is proposed, which accounts for observed variations in aromatic content. Conradson carbon residue largely influences the results obtained with some of the examined techniques. Apparent discrepancies are rationalized and a strategy for a comprehensive analytical evaluation of hydroprocessed feeds is proposed.