Heavy Oil Valorization into Lighter Viscous Fuel Using Low-Cost Catalysts

Abstract

Sequel to the escalations in global energy requirements, different catalysis-based options are under development for the enhanced recovery (i.e. EOR) of the huge heavy and extra-heavy crude oil reserves strategically distributed in key global regions. In line with this trend, the current work investigated the roles of different local catalysts in the aquathermolysis of a heavy crude oil sourced from Ondo State, Nigeria. For the aquathermolysis reactions performed at the conditions 150 cm³ (total oil-water content, 70/30), 120^oC and 0.2g catalyst for 1.5 h, the activity of the various catalytic systems obeyed the pattern C1 (pure carbon) < C2 (CaO-modified) < C3 (MgO-modified < C4 (CaO-MgO modified) < RM (Fe₂O₃-rich Red Mud). The results showed the RM material with the highest concentration of basic sites (i.e. 0.50 mmol/g) the best aquathermolysis catalyst followed by the CaO-MgO-modified carbon material formed under constant reaction conditions. The study therefore demonstrated that adequate amount of the basic sites is necessary to actualize the C-S, C-O, C-N and C-C ruptures in bulky heavy oil compounds for successful transformation into lighter more desirable hydrocarbon fuel products. Additionally, the RM catalyst is very prospective for field applications.