Sequential pretreatments of an FCC slurry oil sample for preparation of feedstocks for high-value solid carbon materials

FCC slurry oil (SO) is an important and yield-rich by-product of the FCC process, which can be regarded as the raw material of high-value-added carbonaceous products due to its abundant concentration of aromatic components, but essential pretreatments and purifications for SO are required before carbonization to eliminate the adverse factors. Appropriate sequential pretreatments aimed at achieving the high-value utilization of SO have been developed, and two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOFMS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR) were implemented for the systematical properties analyses of SO and its derivatives after sequential pretreatments. Polarized-light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to evaluate the microstructures and microcrystal parameters of intermediate species and final products during carbonization. Through the varying degrees of sequential pretreatments, the comprehensive properties of feedstocks were improved gradually which further led to the diverse development of carbonaceous mesophase at the early stage of carbonization. Furthermore, ordinary or superior needle coke can be synthesized from the obtained oil samples during sequential pretreatments. The synthesized needle coke had suitable performance for the application in anode material of lithium-ion batteries.

Automated summary

FCC slurry oil (SO), an important by-product of the FCC process, is rich in aromatic components and can be used to produce high-value carbonaceous products. Sequential pretreatments and purifications are essential to improve the comprehensive properties of feedstocks and develop diverse carbonaceous mesophase during carbonization. The synthesized needle coke from the obtained oil samples during sequential pretreatments can be applied in anode material of lithium-ion batteries with suitable performance.