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The composition and characteristics of high-molecular-weight components of the thermolysis products of petroleum residue asphaltenes obtained in supercritical water with and without a catalyst based on iron oxides have been studied. The experiments were carried out in an autoclave at a temperature of 450°C for 60 min; the catalyst was prepared in situ from iron(III) tris(acetylacetonate). The use of supercritical water and the in situ prepared catalyst made it possible to increase the yield of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons by a factor of more than 9.5 compared to that in a control experiment (thermolysis without water and a catalyst) and decrease the yield of solid products insoluble in chloroform. The properties of high-molecular-weight components isolated from the thermolysis products were characterized using structural group analysis and IR spectroscopy. High-molecular-weight components obtained by thermolysis in supercritical water in the presence of the catalyst, in comparison with the products obtained in the control experiment, were characterized by higher H/C ratios and concentrations of oxygen-containing groups and lower average molecular weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermolysis of asphaltenes from the vacuum residue of heavy oil was carried out without water and in the presence of supercritical water (SCW) at 450°C. The composition of asphaltene conversion products was studied. It was established that the yield of solid products decreased and the yield of maltenes increased when the process was carried out in SCW. The resins, residual asphaltenes, and solid products (products insoluble in chloroform) isolated from the thermolysis products were characterized by IR spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]