Changes in the composition of heavy oil during thermolysis in the presence of molten sodium without hydrogen

Changes in the composition and properties of heavy oil during thermolysis in the temperature range of 250-410 degrees C in the presence of molten sodium without hydrogen has been studied. Addition of sodium results in the decrease in the sulfur content in the products of thermolysis by the factor of 1.5 at 250 degrees C and a more than two-fold decrease at 350 degrees C and higher. A decrease in the sulfur content without sodium is recorded only during thermolysis at 350 degrees C and is less than 10%. Viscosity and density of the products of thermolysis with and without sodium almost do not differ and correspond to nearly 90 mm(2)/s at 20 degrees C and API gravity is higher than 26, respectively. Effect of sodium on the quantitative distribution of components (hydrocarbons, resins, and asphaltenes) in the products of thermolysis and distillate fractions i.b.p.-350 degrees C is insignificant. The amount of vanadium and nickel weakly depends on the presence of sodium in the process of thermolysis of heavy oil. Addition of sodium results in the growth of insoluble particles in the products of thermolysis.