Electrochemical Conversion of Heavy Residues to Bitumen and Other Light Products by Silver (II) Mediator

Ag (II) ions generated by Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation (MEO) was employed to convert a heavy residue feed (mazut) to a porous solid polymer and some other valuable products. At atmospheric pressure, conversion of the heavy residue was carried out at 50–60 °C for 2 h. The obtained liquid and solid products were then separated and analyzed by FTIR and simulated distillation (Sim-Dist) analysis. FTIR results specified that the reactions between Ag (II) and heavy residue resulted in a decrease in methylene groups and an increase in aromatics, branched aliphatic hydrocarbons and carbonyl groups. Also, Sim-Dist results proved that during this process the heavy hydrocarbons of the feed were cracked and changed into lighter hydrocarbons and bitumen; however a liquid product was formed which comprises gasoline, kerosene and atmospheric gasoil.