Analysis of the Kinetic Modeling of Petroleum Upgrading Processes Using the Structure-Oriented Lumping Approach

The structure-oriented lumping (SOL) method has been widely applied to various refining processes, including delayed coking, hydrotreating, fluid catalytic cracking, and naphtha catalytic reforming. It enables the prediction of product distributions, kinetic behavior, and bulk properties. Over time, this mechanistic modeling approach has evolved through the integration of advanced mathematical techniques, enhancing the efficiency of molecular reconstruction, model solving, and property prediction. This study examines advances in SOL modeling across structural molecular formulation, optimization approaches, kinetic parameter estimation, and property predictions. These insights inform future investigations aimed at enhancing simulations, implementing control techniques, and designing novel optimization strategies to improve process performance. The results have demonstrated a major advance in the adaptability and optimization of molecular reconstruction of various oil resources, simplification in the estimation of kinetic parameters, and property prediction of products. Despite its advantages, the SOL method still faces significant challenges in these issues and in computational complexity, requiring systematic solutions for improved adaptability and robustness. Integrating advanced mathematical and computational methods will reduce the computational burden of key steps such as network construction and equation formulation. Continued progress in data analysis will drive the method evolution and enhance its practical impact.