Electron-Induced Chain Reactions of Heavy Petroleum Fluids—Dominant Process Variables

Abstract

Ionizing electron particles were used as an efficient means of delivering energy to heavy hydrocarbon molecules. Although heavy oil reserves are known as rich sources of energy, their contribution to the energy market has been impacted by the fact that the conventional thermal or catalytic upgrading and visbreaking methods always demand a considerable energy and money investment. Therefore, application of potential alternatives with lower operating costs and higher process throughput appears to be extremely crucial in such a competitive market. In this research, high-energy electron processing technology was offered as a remedy to reduce the viscosity of heavy petroleum samples. Irradiated fluids exhibited lower viscosities than thermally cracked samples. Moreover, reaction temperature was observed to have a substantial influence on radiolysis process. At relatively low temperatures, radiation-induced upgrading stays inactive without any contribution to the viscosity reduction process. However, as the temperature exceeds a specific threshold, radiation-induced chain reactions become activated, decreasing the viscosity of irradiated samples. At the end, we have investigated the effect of different additives upon radiolysis of hydrocarbon molecules. Interestingly, radiolytic reactions were completely suppressed by some of these additives.

Simultaneous Application of Heat and Electron Particles to Effectively Reduce the Viscosity of Heavy Deasphalted Petroleum Fluids

“…Although application of ionizing particles in petroleum industry has had a rapid growth during the recent decades, quite a few works have investigated the rheological property changes that are brought about because of radiation-induced reactions. Alfi et al − showed that electron-induced thermal cracking of heavy petroleum fluids results in products with lower viscosities than the thermal cracking cases.…”