The Biturox® Process guarantees the user the highest possible flexibility on processed crudes and high bitumen qualities that are produced eco-friendly and reasonable in cost.
With the Biturox® Process, a wider range of crude oils is getting suitable for bitumen production. As per experience, such feedstock components comprise:
Vacuum residue (short residue) VR
The chemical composition of this "traditional" component depends on the crude source varying in asphaltenes’ content. It contains also a specific distribution of saturates, aromatics and resins.
Pitch from solvent de-asphalting process (SDA)
This pitch or tar is a by-product from the SDA Process. As it is rich of chemical asphaltenes it can be a valuable raw material for composition-controlled bitumen.
Vacuum gas oil (VGO) and heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO)
These valuable products are only used if necessary to adapt the starting viscosity of the feed blend for Biturox® processing.
Aromatic extract from lube aromatics extraction (EXT)
This material contains a high percentage of aromatics. Being processed it increases polarity significantly - thus creating aromatics of higher polarity, resins and finally asphaltenes.
Other raw material components
Certain aromatic oils (e.g. cracker bottoms) can be used as a substitute for extract, but their usability must to be tested individually.