Pyrolysis of petroleum fractions

Dynamic kinetic analyses were performed on different Brazilian petroleum fractions by thermogravimetry. The data were treated by a multiple heating rate methodology. The apparent activation energies for the light and middle fractions within the range of 62–74 kJ mol −1 and for heavy distillation residues were within the range of 80–100 kJ mol −1 at lower conversions and 100–240 kJ mol −1 at higher conversions. The kinetic study can be a criterion for tells apart the main phenomena involved in the thermal behavior of the refinery feedstock.