Characteristics of Chinese heavy crudes and it's influences on processing

Investigations were made to understand the properties of Chinese heavy crudes. Heavy crudes produced in China have low API gravities, high viscosities and very little light fractions, etc. They also have the particular properties of other Chinese crudes such as very little or no asphaltenes, high resin, low sulfur, high nitrogen, low vanadium and moderate nickel content. They contain considerable amount of saturates, mostly naphthenic hydrocarbons. Their H/C ratios are generally high in comparison with foreign heavy oils. Some properties are desirable for their conversion into light products. Various factors influencing processing have been discussed. Special attention should be paid to the influence of nitrogen compounds on processing and product quality.