Simplified SDA Process Flow Diagram | Source: Valv Technologies

Solvent Deasphalting (SDA) is a refinery process that separates asphalt (asphaltenes) from heavy petroleum fractions, primarily vacuum residue, using light hydrocarbon solvents.

This selective extraction process is positioned after the vacuum distillation tower in a crude oil refinery or bitumen upgrader, serving as a critical upgrading technology that converts low-value residues into higher-value products (Fig. 1).

The SDA separates the asphalt from the feedstock because light hydrocarbons will dissolve aliphatic compounds but not asphaltenes. The output from the de-asphalter unit is de-asphalted oil ("DAO") and asphalt. 

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