Diffusion of asphaltene molecules through the pore structure of hydroconversion catalysts

When hydrotreatment of heavy cuts by heterogeneous catalysis is carried out in liquid phase, the molecules’ state of containment in the porous network is very high. Moreover, at that state of containment, the size of asphaltenes and resins, from various origins, can be the cause for the different hydrotreatment yields. Consequently, volume constraints are added to the kinetic and thermodynamic ones (adsorption equilibrium): a given species can penetrate in the solid only if the necessary volume is available within the network.Hindered diffusion and adsorption of asphaltene molecules inside hydrotreatment catalysts’ carriers were studied. The system's kinetics was investigated by visible absorption spectroscopy. Asphaltenes were prepared by n-heptane separation and solubilized in toluene at a known concentration and put in contact with a given amount of catalyst support. The evolution of the concentration in the asphaltene's solution was followed, as a function of time, by measuring the absorbance of a monochromatic visible radiation (750 nm) through the asphaltene suspension.A model based on the “Stefan–Maxwell” equations, that takes into account the volume constraints by the Fornasiero's formulation, which supposes that the molecules collide only by equivalent volume, was developed. The parameters estimation has been performed and discussed. The results show that the diffusional limitations are important in the catalyst used for heavy oil hydrotreatment and the asphaltene adsorption is very strong in this type of material.