Upgrading of vacuum residue with chemical looping partial oxidation over Ce doped Fe2O3

Partial oxidation provides a promising method for upgrading of heavy oil. In this study, a series of Ce doped Fe2O3 materials were prepared and applied for partial oxidation of vacuum residue. The effect of Ce doping on the physicochemical properties of Fe2O3 was recognized through a series of characterization techniques. Some Fe in Fe2O3 structure were substituted by Ce to form solid solution, resulting in increase of specific surface area and oxygen vacancy concentration. The partial oxidation of vacuum residue showed that Ce doping to Fe2O3 could increase the heavy oil conversion, yields of gasoline and diesel, which are attributed to the large specific surface area and increased oxygen vacancy concentration. Based on the partial oxidation performance of Ce doped Fe2O3, a chemical looping for upgrading of vacuum residue using FeCe-1 as oxygen carrier was proposed. The heavy oil conversion, yield of gasoline and diesel remain stable under chemical looping process.