GB406283A - Improvements in and relating to processes for working-up crude petroleums and petroleum derivatives - Google Patents

Abstract

Lubricating and other oils, asphalts, and other products are obtained from crude petroleum or its derivatives by mixing with one or more animal and/or vegetable oils or fats, heating with sulphuric acid or its equivalent to above 120 DEG C., and distilling. The process is especially suited for the treatment of petroleum oils or residues containing sulphur and bitumen. Varied plastic or elastic residues are obtained by use of different fatty oils and of initial materials of different sulphur and bitumen content. Petroleum derivatives specified are distillation and refinery products and residues, e.g. topped oils, cracking residues, hydrogenation residues, and residues from the refining of petroleum by solvents. The viscosity may first be reduced by addition of gas oil or other fluid hydrocarbon. The acid may be concentrated, or diluted to about 70 per cent; there may be used waste acids, e.g. oil-refining acid sludges or acids extracted therefrom, sulpho acids, sulphuric acid esters, or sodium bisulphate or other acid sulphate. Fatty oils specified are rape seed, castor, palm, soya bean, and fish oils, and blubber. Preferably the fatty oils at 150--220 DEG C. are added to a mixture of the acid and petroleum preheated to 40--80 DEG C., intimately mixed, and heated slowly. The sulphur dioxide evolved is collected separately and liquefied, converted into sulphuric acid, or otherwise worked up. When lubricating oils with a content of animal and/or vegetable oils are required, excess of fatty oil is added to the petroleum treated, and preferably non-drying vegetable oils with B.P.s. corresponding with those of the petroleum distilled over are used.