Solvent deasphalting (SDA)

Reduced operation cost due to relatively low temperature and pressure conditions
High yield deasphalted oil (DAO) by removing asphaltenes (through conglomeration and
sedimentation)
Design is relatively simple and scale-up can be carried out easily
Solvent used: C3 C6 (propane and butane have been widely used, and pentane and hexane are
explored as solvents)
Baek et al operating condition 210 250 C and 42 122 bars using n-pentane as solvent. Oil
yield increases with increasing pressure and temperature, approaching a critical point.
Cao et al effects of solvent composition (using mixed C4 solvents). Oil yield increases with
increasing carbon number of solvent
Recent technical articles reported that the solvent recovery in supercritical conditions can
significantly reduce energy cost

Experimental conditions (DAO Separator):

1. Separator filled with 45 g DAO and solvent feed mixture (known ratio)
2. Separator is heated at a rate of 2 C/min using a heating jacket, temperature controlled using
type-K thermocouple
3. Pressure is controlled by injecting inert N2 gas

Yield:

8:2 ratio (DAO:pentane)

Using pentane: ~80 % (evaporation at 120 C and 30 min)

Using hexane: ~82 % (evaporation at 120 C and 30 min)

Design of evaporator:

1. http://nptel.ac.in/courses/103103027/13
2. https://www.slideshare.net/enigmisha/evaporation-equipment-and-design-of-evaporators
3.