Solvent Deasphalting (SDA)

The upgrading of atmospheric residue (AR) or vacuum residues (VR) into light distillates (naphtha, diesel oil, VGO, DAO) is the solution to eliminate the increasing excess of heavy fuels and to satisfy the increasing demand for higher value transportation fuels. Solvent deasphalting (SDA)-liquid-liquid extraction, is one of the pieces of the puzzle for heavy residue upgrading schemes. SDA technology is also used for lube production.

Solvahl™

Solvahl™ is an efficient solvent deasphalting process (SDA) that removes the asphaltenes, most metals and other impurities contained in atmospheric or vacuum residues.

The Solvahl™ SDA process produces a high yield of deasphalted oil (DAO) containing a minimum quantity of C₅ and C₇ insolubles. The content of metals and coke precursor compounds are also significantly reduced, making DAO a suitable feed for downstream Hydrocracking, Hydrotreatment or FCC units. DAO final destination can also lube production or IMO Bunker Fuel depending on the refinery scheme. With respect to pitch production, it can be valorized as bitumen, pelletize for solids fuel or CFB boilers. Whatever SolvahlTM products valorization, Axens has a huge know-how.

Solvents used in the Solvahl process can vary from C3 to C5 depending on feed properties, pitch valorization and downstream DAO process objectives. The relative yields of DAO and asphalt, as well as the characteristics of both products, are linked to the nature of the feed, the operating conditions and the solvent type.

Solvahl™ technology can be a 2 cuts SDA or declined into 3 cuts SDA as per request; in stand alone grassroot or associated to VR conversion technology (H-Oil®, Flexicoking™) Solvahl™ technology is focused on:

Relevant and optimized separation of DAO and Asphaltenes with associated design criteria to reach specifications
Control of DAO quality, and especially its remaining asphaltenes content, is a main concern as it impacts downstream catalyst performance and cycle length
Opportunities to extract value from the produced asphalt (Bitumen, pelletization, CFB...etc)
Efficiency of advanced extractor design and solvent recovery at reduced cost

14 Solvahl™ units have been licensed by Axens with a cumulative capacity of over 9,800,000 tons per year

2019 Last Solvhal™ to be started up downstream of an ebullated-bed H-Oil

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