Use of polymers as heterogeneous hydrogen donors in the upgrading of heavy and extra-heavy crudes

Abstract

The present invention is related to the application of solid polymers or copolymers prepared from monomers having in their structure a polycyclic aromatic ring, an aromatic ring of the type of naphthalene, or polyesters, polyethers, polyamides or polyvynil derivatives having naphthalene units in their structure, in the hydrotreatment or hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbons, such as heavy or extra-heavy crude oils or residues from the distillation of petroleum; these polymers or copolymers may be supported, anchored or in a physical mixture with metallic oxides such as alumina, silica, titania or kaolin, and they have an application as heterogeneous hydrogen donors in reactions of hydrotreatment or hydrocracking of heavy or extra-heavy crude oils, residues from the distillation of petroleum and cuts and streams deived from this distillation. These solid polymers or copolymers operate in the presence of hydrogen or methane-rich gas. These hydrogen donor polymers, being solid, may be recovered from the reaction mixture to be reused and have a thermal stability that allows for their use in reactions at temperatures above 450° C. These heterogeneous hydrogen donors improve the physical properties of crude oils, such as API gravity, viscosity, and distillates yield, inhibiting the formation of coke.