The CLG Residue Solvent Refining Solvent Deasphalting (RSR) process is a specialized solvent extraction process that separates by molecular type instead of by boiling point, as in the vacuum distillation process. RSR recovers a low-contaminant, relatively high in hydrogen content, deasphalted oil product (DAO) from the residue. The insoluble components are contained in the pitch product and contain the majority of the residue’s contaminants (metals, asphaltenes, CCR).
RSR has historically been used for lubes BASE oil production but has also been utilized to produce additional VGO conversion feedstocks. For lubes applications, a propane solvent is commonly used to maximize the DAO quality and minimize impurities. Heavier solvents, like butane or pentane, are used for transportation fuel applications. CLG also uses the RSR process as an integral part of the LC-MAX® process to achieve over 90 percent conversion of vacuum residue to lighter, high value products. The pitch product can be used as a combustion fuel, blending component in residue fuel oil, coker feed and in some cases as an asphalt blending component.