What is Vacuum Bottom?

Vacuum Bottom is a black substance taken from crude oil in the lowest bottom level of oil refinery distillation Tower. The raw materials for bitumen production that remain in the refinery due to the bottom of the distillation tower are called Vacuum Bottom (VB).

The crude oil is converted into different types of materials in the distillation tower. These materials are obtained at different boiling points. The material remained at Bottom of distillation Tower is similar to bitumen and called Vacuum Bottom(VB).

How is Vacuum Bottom Produced?

 At present, various methods are used to convert Vacuum Bottom into bitumen in Pars Bitumen and it is known as bitumen production feed. This material consists of hydrocarbons with carbon number more than 35 and in addition to bitumen production, it is also used in some base oil production facilities.

Passing air through the Vacuum Bottom inside the bitumen tower, in which case the oxidation process is achieved, improves its properties and viscosity. This process causes maltene molecules to change to asphaltene molecules, which results in the degree of penetration to decrease and the inertia point to increase. Finally, different types of bitumen with Penetration grade is obtained, depending on the amount of aeration, the penetration grade decreases or increases.

Technical Specifications of Vacuum Bottom (Typical Values)

Property Unit Typical Range

Penetration @ 25°C dmm 0–10

Softening Point (Ring & Ball) °C 90–130

Specific Gravity @ 25°C – 0.98–1.05

Flash Point (COC) °C >250

Viscosity @ 135°C cSt 300–1500

Asphaltene Content % 10–25

Carbon Residue (Conradson) % 10–20

Sulfur Content % 1–5

Note: Exact values depend on crude source and refinery conditions.

 

In our factory, Pars Bitumen, as a result of aeration, the residue properties are improved, and the most important effect of air blowing on the baton vacuum is the conversion of maltene light molecules into heavier molecules, i.e. asphaltene, which increases its penetration degree and softening point. The vacuum bottom temperature inside the bitumen production tower is 240 to 320 degrees Celsius.

Written and gathered by Pars Bitumen Company

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