Deasphalting process using supercritical water

The authors aimed to study the deasphalting process on laboratory scale through the design and development of a supercritical extraction experimental unit. The experimental unity used in tests is composed by apump, an extractor with useful volume of 3 L and one separator vessel. Extractions in supercritical condition were carried out using petroleum residue (vacuum residuum) as feedstock and water as solvent. Temperature and pressure were manipulated to maintain the solvent in the required conditions, thus facilitating the extraction process and avoiding sharp changes in the system. In both phases, the products in the deasphalted oil stream present adequate characteristics for the production of lubricant oils and those in the asphalt residue stream present an elevated concentration of asphalt molecules.