In this study, we investigate a process for partial upgrading of Canadian oil sands bitumen by means of modelling and simulation. In continuation of our previous study focused on a different process configuration for partial upgrading, the process scheme analyzed in this work consists of a solvent deasphalting step to reject asphaltenes from bitumen, a thermal cracking of the deasphalted product step, and a hydrotreating step to saturate the olefins generated by thermal cracking. The model was built using commercial simulation software, incorporating customized models for the solvent deasphalting and thermal cracking units. Trends in partial upgrader product yields and quality are examined under two operating scenarios: one where the thermal cracker operates in once-through mode and the other where the heavy portion of the thermal cracker product is recycled. Both scenarios were observed to have difficulties in achieving the product quality targets set for partial upgrading (density <0.9400 g/cm³ at 15.6°C and viscosity <350 cSt at 7°C) without any diluent addition. A key factor that significantly impacts final product yield and quality in this partial upgrading process is the formation of new asphaltenes during thermal cracking.

中文翻译：

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沥青部分改质过程建模与模拟：溶剂脱沥青-热裂化配置分析

在这项研究中，我们通过建模和模拟研究了加拿大油砂沥青部分改质的过程。继续我们之前的研究，重点关注用于部分改质的不同工艺配置，本工作分析的工艺方案包括溶剂脱沥青步骤以去除沥青中的沥青质、脱沥青产品的热裂化步骤和加氢处理步骤以达到饱和由热裂解产生的烯烃。该模型是使用商业模拟软件构建的，结合了溶剂脱沥青和热裂化装置的定制模型。部分升级产品产量和质量的趋势在两种操作情景下进行检查：一种是热裂化器以单程模式运行，另一种是热裂化器产品的重部分被回收。观察到两种情况都难以实现为部分升级设定的产品质量目标（密度<0.9400 g/cm³在 15.6°C 和粘度 <350 cSt 在 7°C) 没有任何稀释剂添加。在此部分改质过程中显着影响最终产品产量和质量的一个关键因素是在热裂解过程中形成新的沥青质。