Molecular Characterization of Heavy Olefins in Slurry-Phase Hydrocracking Products Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Olefinsplay a critical role in the production of high-value andhigh-quality chemicals within refineries. This paper focuses on examiningthe molecular composition of heavy olefins (C10+) in productsderived from thermal cracking and slurry-phase hydrocracking. A specificcharacterization technique involving Ag+ complexation electrosprayionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry was employed after the removalof aromatics through prior separation. A semi-quantitative analysiswas performed by adding naphthalene-d(8) as the internalstandard. Both cracking processes exhibited the presence of heavyolefins with the carbon number ranging from C-10-C-40. However, the thermal cracking product demonstrated a higherabundance of mono-olefins with smaller carbon numbers compared tothe slurry-phase hydrocracking product. Furthermore, the study delvesinto investigating and discussing the molecular variations of olefinsin slurry-phase hydrocracking products under different reaction conditions.