Georesursy (Sep 2019)

Aquathermolysis of heavy oil in the presence of bimetallic catalyst that form in-situ from the mixture of oil-soluble iron and cobalt precursors

  • Emil R. Baygildin,
  • Sergey A. Sitnov,
  • Alexey V. Vakhin,
  • Andrey V. Sharifullin,
  • Marat I. Amerkhanov,
  • Elvira I. Garifullina

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18599/grs.2019.3.62-67
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 3
pp. 62 – 67

Abstract

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The design of highly efficient catalysts of cracking reactions for intensification of thermal enhanced oil recovery technologies is a relevant task. Moreover, the cost-effective industrial synthesis of such catalysts is very important. In this paper, we discuss the efficiency of bimetallic catalyst, which forms in-situ from the mixture of oil-soluble iron and cobalt precursors, on the processes of upgrading heavy oil in the reservoir of Tatarstan Republic (Russia). A simulation of aquathermolysis was carried out in a high-pressure reactor – autoclave at 150-250оС. The treatment time varied from 6 to 24 hours and the share of catalyst and hydrogen donor was 2 %wt. each. The phase composition of the active form of binary catalyst was estimated from the result of X-ray diffraction measurement. It is characterized by the presence of individual (Fe3O4 and Fe2O3) and mixed oxides with ideal stoichiometry – СоFe2O4. The formation of cobalt sulfide (CoS2) was observed, which indicates the destruction of C-S bonds in high-molecular components of oil. According to the results of SARA-analysis and rheology behavior, the catalyst intensifies destructive processes of resinous compounds (their content reduces more than 45%). This provides an increase in the content of saturated hydrocarbons by 16% and redistribution of aromatic fragments in hydrocarbons with hybrid structure. Thus, the reduction of dynamic viscosity by 32% was succeeded.

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