Enhanced aquathermolysis of extra-heavy oil by application of transition metal oxides submicro-particles in relation to steam injection processes

Abstract

In order to investigate the catalytic effects of transition metal oxides submicro-particles on aquathermolysis of Liaohe extra-heavy crude oil, the catalysts NiO, α·Fe2O3 and Co3O4 are used and evaluated during the experiments. The optimum mass fraction of the catalyst and water was determined to be 5.0 wt% and 30 wt%, respectively. The optimum reaction time for aquathermolysis was 24 h, and the optimum reaction temperature was 240 °C. The analysis results showed the heavy oil was upgraded dramatically by addition of the catalysts based upon viscosity reduction, saturate/aromatics/resins/asphaltenes analyses, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. All results show the heavy oil is in situ updated dramatically by catalytic aquathermolysis under the optimum operating conditions. A five-lump model is proposed for estimating kinetic parameters of aquathermolysis and agrees well with the experimental data.

Experimental Considerations for Proper Development of Aquathermolysis Tests in Batch Reactor Systems

“…Zhang et al 43 evaluated the catalytic effects of different transition metal oxides (NiO, α•Fe 2 O 3 , and Co 3 O 4 ) on the aquathermolysis of Liaohe extra-heavy crude oil. The influence of experimental parameters, including the reaction temperature, catalyst usage, water mass fraction, and reaction time, was evaluated by analyzing the viscosity reduction.…”

“…41 These behaviors indicate that the catalyst concentration provides a vital role during an aquathermolysis reaction, which should be analyzed to determine optimal operating conditions based on technical and economic information. Zhang et al 43 for the aquathermolysis reaction is performed using a catalyst dosage of 5.0 wt %, 30 wt % of water, and 24 h of reaction. Some catalysts can be recollected and reused with comparable activities, having a greater prospect for use in the industry.…”

“…Zhang et al . evaluated the catalytic effects of different transition metal oxides (NiO, α·Fe 2 O 3 , and Co 3 O 4 ) on the aquathermolysis of Liaohe extra-heavy crude oil.…”

“…Effect of reaction temperature on the viscosity of diverse upgraded oil samples after aquathermolysis reaction: Liaohe crude oil ( ○ ), Liaohe crude oil (yellow ◆), Egyptian crude oil with SF (●), Egyptian crude oil with SN (□), high viscosity crude oil (red ◇), low viscosity crude oil (maroon ▲), Liaohe crude oil (∗), Liaohe crude oil (△), Liaohe crude oil (purple ■).…”

“…Effect of the reaction time on the viscosity of diverse upgraded oil samples after aquathermolysis reaction: Liaohe crude oil (○), Liaohe crude oil (△), Liaohe crude oil (yellow ◆), Kenneyak crude oils (red ●), Bozhong crude oils (green ▲), Egyptian crude oil with SF (●), Egyptian crude oil with SN (□), high viscosity crude oil (red ◇), low viscosity crude oil (red ▲), Liaohe crude oil (purple ■), Liaohe crude oil (gold ∗).…”