Liquefaction biocrudes and their petroleum crude blends for processing in conventional distillation units

- Distillation curves of biocrudes were generated using simulated distillation.
- Biocrude was blended with petroleum crude in different fractions and temperatures and the blends were analysed.
- The measured distillation curves of blends matched ASPEN model distillation curves.
- ASPEN Plus can be used for the simulation of biocrude distillation in a refinery.

Various biocrudes were characterised by their distillation curves using simulated distillation. Biocrude and petroleum crude blends were generated and analysed to assess their compatibility for processing in conventional petroleum refineries. Distillation curves of biocrudes varied widely but were comparable to petroleum crude oil in shape and distillation range. Blending biocrude with petroleum crudes in the laboratory presented some challenges in miscibility; however, blending at higher than ambient temperatures, which more closely represents industrial practice, improved miscibility as shown in the FTIR spectra of blends, and close matching of the warmer blends to models. The distillation curve of the biocrude-petroleum crude blends followed the modelled blends in ASPEN Plus. Petroleum analysis and modelling methods were also demonstrated as reliable tools to analyse biocrudes and their blends with petroleum crude. The study verifies ASPEN's utility in modelling biocrude distillation for processing in refinery distillation columns either as a blend or separately.