Modified effect on properties of mesophase pitch prepared from various two-stage thermotreatments of FCC decant oil

The comparative study of different two-stage heat treatments was conducted to illustrate the modified effects on improving yield and spinnability of mesophase pitch. In such two-stage thermotreatments, a pressured condensation is employed to involve low-molecular-weight species into the formation of mesogens, thereby increasing pitch yields. Subsequently, vacuum polymerization could contribute to rapid development of mesophase and then reduce the residence time. The results indicate that the short duration could decrease occurrence of the intramolecular aromatization and intermolecular polymerization reactions that are readily induced by elimination of a-methyl and dehyroaromatization of naphthenic rings during the later stage of heat treatment. Consequently, the formed semi-rigid molecules in QS sub-fraction (i.e., fusible component) are seldom transformed into rigid ones mainly constituting QI sub-fraction (i.e., infusible component). Ultimately, sufficient QS sub-fraction, with a higher average M-w and a large amount of short alkyl and naphthenic substituents, is more likely to completely dissolve QI sub-fraction. Thus, the resultant mesophase exhibits an excellent fusible deformability. Besides, the structural feature of semi-rigid oligomer could somewhat loosen molecular association of layered stacking and contribute to the slippage between stacked mesogens due to its steric effects, thereby decreasing the softening points of mesophase pitch. Above modified effects are easily implementable during a suitable process of two-stage thermotreatment, such as the processes of preparing MP-4-0.01-1.0, MP-4-0.0051.0 and MP-3-0.01-2.0 in this study. It is worthwhile to mention that the vacuum treatment is required to be conducted prior to large-scale coalescence of mesophase spheres in order to obtain spinnable mesophase pitch.

Automated summary

The comparative study of different two-stage heat treatments was conducted to illustrate the modified effects on improving yield and spinnability of mesophase pitch. The results showed that the short duration of these treatments could decrease occurrence of undesired reactions.