•The greatest amount of gases at 1.0% Fe3O4 and at 300 °C after aquathermolysis.•At 250 °C the viscosity reduction increased by 15% at a concentration of 0.2 wt.%.•At 200 °C increase in the content ...of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons by 3%.•At 200 °C increase in the content of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons by 22%.•At 200 °C a decrease in resins and asphaltenes by 10%, and 1.0 wt.%.concentration.•At 200 °C a decrease in resins and asphaltenes by 35%, and 1.0 wt.%.concentration.•At 200°C the n-(C12-C21)/n-(C22-C30) increases from 0.82 to 1.85 at 1.0 wt.%.•At 200 and 300 °C, the 1.0% of magnetite suspension stands out from all the results.•The amount of gases released in g/t is greater at 300 °C than at 200 and 250 °C.
In this work, physical modeling of thermal steam treatment of high viscosity oil without and with the addition of a suspended catalyst to the system was performed. The aim of the magnetite effect for the in- situ upgrading in the production of high viscosity oils was to reduce the content of asphalt-resinous compounds and their molecular weight, while significantly increasing the content of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons. The presence of a catalyst promoted decarboxylation reactions, as indicated by the significant amount of carbon dioxide produced as the catalyst concentration increased. In addition, the produced carbon dioxide decreased the viscosity of the oil and improved the chemical composition of the group. The introduction of a hydrogen donor helped to reduce the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the gas phase composition and prevented the polymerization of the produced hydrocarbons. The determination of viscosity-temperature characteristics showed a significant decrease in the viscosity of the obtained products after the catalytic aquathermolysis of oil. Indeed, during the catalytic aquathermolysis, maghemite was reduced to magnetite by the interaction of iron oxide with steam. In parallel, in the presence of a catalyst, with increasing exposure temperature, the content of hydrogen sulfide was reduced and the formation of iron sulfides such as pyrrhotite was observed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Our knowledge of electromagnetic heating’s effect on heavy oil upgrading is largely based on very limited data. The aim of the present research was thus to study in detail the effect of microwave ...exposure in the absence and presence of nanosized magnetite on the composition of heavy oil. The obtained data reveal that the use of nanosized magnetite improves not only microwave radiation application as a result of its absorption and release of thermal energy but also that these nanoparticles have a catalytic ability to break carbon–heteroatom bonds in the composition of resins and asphaltene molecules. In fact, the overall reduction in asphaltenes or resins does not always adequately describe very important changes in asphaltene composition. Even a small fraction of broken carbon–heteroatom bonds can lead to an increase in the mobility of asphaltenes. Moreover, this study has shed light on the important evidence for asphaltenes’ transformation, which was found to be the formation of light aromatic compounds, such as alkylbenzenes, naphthalenes and phenanthrenes. These compounds were fixed in the composition of the aromatic fraction. We believe that these compounds could be the fragments obtained from asphaltenes’ degradation. The evidence from this study points toward the idea that asphaltenes’ destruction is crucial for increasing oil mobility in the reservoir rock during its thermal stimulation.
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This paper discusses the role of magnetite in the conversion of heavy oil from the Ashal’cha reservoir. The effect of catalysts on the in-situ upgrading of heavy oil is directed on the reduction of ...high-molecular components of oil such as resins and asphaltenes and their molecular masses. Moreover, it is directed on the significant increase in saturates and aromatic fractions. Measuring the temperature-dependent viscosity characteristics revealed the tremendous viscosity decrease of the obtained catalytic aquathermolysis products. X-ray analysis exposed the composition of the initial catalyst that consisted of mixed iron oxides (II, III), as well as catalysts that were extracted from the treated crude oil. The particle size of the catalysts was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. According to the SEM data, aggregates of 200 nm were formed that were in the range of ultra-dispersed particles (200 to 500 nm).
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In this work, a synthesis of an oil-soluble iron-based catalyst precursor was carried out and its efficiency was tested in a laboratory simulation of the aquathermolysis process at different ...temperatures. The rocks of the Usinskoe field from the Permian deposits of the Komi Republic, obtained by steam-gravity drainage, and the iron-based catalyst precursor, as well as the products of non-catalytic and catalytic aquathermolysis, were selected as the object of study. As a result, it was found that the content of alkanes in the samples after thermal steam treatment (TST) at 300 °C increased 8-fold compared to the original oil, and the content of cycloalkanes in the sample with the catalyst increased 2-fold compared to the control experience. This may indicate that not only the carbon-heteroatom bonds (C-S, N, O) but also the C-C bonds were broken. It also shows that increasing the iron tallate concentration at TST 300 °C leads to a decrease in the molecular mass of the oil compared to the control experiment. According to SEM, the catalyst is nanodisperse particles with a size of ≈60–80 nm, which are adsorbed on the rock surface, catalyst removal occurs at a small scale.
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Aquathermolysis is one of the crucial processes being considered to successfully upgrade and irreversibly reduce the high viscosity of heavy crude oil during steam enhanced oil recovery technologies. ...The aquathermolysis of heavy oil can be promoted by transition metal-based catalysts. In this study, the catalytic performance of two water-soluble catalysts Ni(CH3COO)2 and Zn(CH3COO)2 on the aquathermolytic upgrading of heavy oil at 300 °C for 24 h was investigated in a high pressure–high temperature (HP-HT) batch reactor. The comparison study showed that nickel acetate is more effective than zinc acetate in terms of viscosity reduction at 20 °C (58% versus 48%). The viscosity alteration can be mainly explained by the changes in the group composition, where the content of resins and asphaltenes in the upgraded heavy crude oil sample in the presence of nickel catalyst was reduced by 44% and 13%, respectively. Moreover, the nickel acetate-assisted aquathermolysis of heavy oil contributed to the increase in the yield of gasoline and diesel oil fractions by 33% and 29%, respectively. The activity of the compared metal acetates in hydrogenation of the crude oil was judged by the results of the atomic H/C ratio. The atomic H/C ratio of crude oil upgraded in the presence of Ni(CH3COO)2 was significantly increased from 1.52 to 2.02. In addition, the catalyst contributed to the desulfurization of crude oil, reducing the content of sulfur in crude oil from 5.55 wt% to 4.51 wt% The destructive hydrogenation of resins and asphaltenes was supported by the results of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis methods. The obtained experimental results showed that using water-soluble catalysts is effective in promoting the aquathermolytic reactions of heavy oil and has a great potential for industrial-scale applications.
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In this investigation, we explored the impact of thermal steam treatment (TST) on Yarega bituminous rock samples, with and without catalyst precursor compounds based on transition metals. After ...subjecting the materials to TST at 300°C in the presence of iron thallate, there was a notable 21% increase in the proportion of saturated hydrocarbons compared to the control experiment, and a substantial 27% increase compared to the original bituminoid composition. Simultaneously, the resin fraction witnessed a reduction of 25% against the control and a significant 50% decrease compared to the original oil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that post-TST at 250 °C, the catalyst was composed of nanodispersed particles approximately sized between ≈20–50 nm. However, following TST at 300 °C, the catalyst particle size expanded to an estimated range of ≈60–90 nm. Furthermore, this study introduced a technology utilizing a commercial form of the catalyst precursor for application at the Yarega deposit.
•Mineral components take an active involvement in the process of aquathermolysis.•The share of resins decreases by 25% compared to the control experiment.•The catalyst consists of nanodisperse particles with sizes around 60–90 nm.•Oil with catalyst leads to an increase of shorter chain length (C10-C20) n-alkanes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this study, we conducted physical modeling to investigate the effectiveness of nanodispersed catalysts, specifically pure magnetite and magnetite with nickel oxide, for in situ upgrading of ...high-viscosity Ashal′cha heavy oil through thermal steam treatment (TST). The reactions were carried out at 250 °C for different treatment durations (24, 48, and 72 h). The aquathermolysis reactions with Fe3O4 + NiO catalyst exhibited remarkable results, achieving an optimum viscosity reduction of 2000 mPa·s through thermal cracking, which converted heavy high-molecular-weight compounds into lighter compounds. Furthermore, the presence of the catalyst contributed to increased levels of light-saturated compounds and aromatic compounds, while significantly decreasing asphaltenes and resins. Hydrogen donors were introduced to prevent hydrocarbon polymerization. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated that increasing the treatment duration did not adversely affect the reaction compared to the absence of the catalyst. Notably, the magnetite catalyst demonstrated high efficiency due to its availability, cost-effectiveness, and small nanosize, facilitating penetration into reservoir rock pores when injected into the reservoir medium. These findings underscore the potential of nanodispersed catalysts for in situ heavy oil upgrading, offering viscosity reduction and the conversion of heavy compounds into valuable light compounds.
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The escalating share of hard-to-extract, highly viscous oil poses tangible challenges in the realm of oil extraction. Employing thermal steam treatment (TST) technology presents a promising approach, ...not only for viscosity reduction but also for comprehensive upgrading of extracted hydrocarbons within the reservoir itself. This study meticulously explores the impact of the TST duration, in tandem with organodispersed metallic sodium, on the upgrading of heavy oil sourced from the Ashalcha field. Through meticulous analysis utilizing gas chromatography, SARA analysis, IR spectroscopy, and GC-MS of individual fractions, the optimal duration for enhancing oil composition was pinpointed: 72 h at a temperature of 250 °C during TST. Remarkably, the utilization of sodium nanoparticles neutralizes hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide while concurrently catalyzing the degradation and reduction of asphaltenes, notorious for their adverse impact on oil rheology. Noteworthy findings include a discernible upsurge in low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons within the C1–C4 range, ascertained via gas chromatography. Additionally, analysis of saturated hydrocarbon composition using GC-MS highlighted a decline in compounds characterized by longer hydrocarbon chains. IR spectroscopy unveiled alterations in the asphaltene fraction, exhibiting reduced aromaticity attributable to the unfolding of cyclic structures and the elongation of hydrocarbon chains consequent to TST in the presence of a metallic sodium-based suspension.
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Aquathermolysis is one of the crucial processes being considered to successfully upgrade and irreversibly reduce the high viscosity of heavy crude oil during steam enhanced oil recovery technologies. ...The aquathermolysis of heavy oil can be promoted by transition metal-based catalysts. In this study, the catalytic performance of two water-soluble catalysts Ni(CHsub.3COO)sub.2 and Zn(CHsub.3COO)sub.2 on the aquathermolytic upgrading of heavy oil at 300 °C for 24 h was investigated in a high pressure-high temperature (HP-HT) batch reactor. The comparison study showed that nickel acetate is more effective than zinc acetate in terms of viscosity reduction at 20 °C (58% versus 48%). The viscosity alteration can be mainly explained by the changes in the group composition, where the content of resins and asphaltenes in the upgraded heavy crude oil sample in the presence of nickel catalyst was reduced by 44% and 13%, respectively. Moreover, the nickel acetate-assisted aquathermolysis of heavy oil contributed to the increase in the yield of gasoline and diesel oil fractions by 33% and 29%, respectively. The activity of the compared metal acetates in hydrogenation of the crude oil was judged by the results of the atomic H/C ratio. The atomic H/C ratio of crude oil upgraded in the presence of Ni(CHsub.3COO)sub.2 was significantly increased from 1.52 to 2.02. In addition, the catalyst contributed to the desulfurization of crude oil, reducing the content of sulfur in crude oil from 5.55 wt% to 4.51 wt% The destructive hydrogenation of resins and asphaltenes was supported by the results of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis methods. The obtained experimental results showed that using water-soluble catalysts is effective in promoting the aquathermolytic reactions of heavy oil and has a great potential for industrial-scale applications.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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