Article
Energy & Fuels
Nicolas Bueno, Juan M. Mejia
Summary: Thermal techniques are successful in heavy oil production, and nanotechnology has provided an opportunity to enhance thermal EOR methods through in-situ upgrading. This study presents a rigorous mathematical description of in-situ upgrading, allowing for a thermodynamic description of complex mixtures. The model can be used to design a field-scale deployment strategy for increasing recoverable reserves and improving the quality of upgraded oil.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamed Adam, Hossein Anbari, Abarasi Hart, Joseph Wood, John P. Robinson, Sean P. Rigby
Summary: In this study, a new microwave heating technique was proposed to provide the necessary heating for the catalytic upgrading of heavy oil in the THAI process. Contrary to previous assertions, it was demonstrated that heavy oil can be directly heated with microwaves to the required temperature without the need for additional microwave susceptor. Additionally, the use of commercially available HDS catalyst resulted in substantial upgrades in API points, viscosity reduction, and sulfur content reduction.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alcides Simao, Enrique Dominguez-Alvarez, Chengdong Yuan, Muneer A. Suwaid, Mikhail A. Varfolomeev, Jorge Ancheyta, Omar F. Al-mishaal, Sergey Kudryashov, Igor S. Afanasiev, Dmitry A. Antonenko, Oleg Petrashov, Kirill A. Dubrovin
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review of the application of different metal-based nanoparticles for upgrading heavy oils. The focus is on the catalysts used for in-situ upgrading, using various thermal treatment methods. Different types of catalysts have been identified, but due to their diversity and variations in evaluation conditions, a direct comparison of their performance is not possible. The literature reviewed indicates the need for further research in order to develop more effective catalysts for increasing recovery factor and permanent upgrading of heavy and extra-heavy oil quality.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zujie Huang, Qiuyang Zhao, Lei Chen, Liejin Guo, Yan Miao, Yechun Wang, Hui Jin
Summary: The proposed technology of CO2- and N2-assisted supercritical water injection can enhance heavy oil recovery and improve oil quality.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shufeng Pei, Guodong Cui, Liang Zhang, Panfeng Zhang, Lijuan Huang, Shaoran Ren
Summary: In-situ upgrading via downhole heating is an innovative technique for oil shale and ultra heavy oil recovery, but low heat transfer limits its application. The efficient air injection assisted ISU process can significantly accelerate heat transfer rate, increase reservoir temperature, improve oil recovery and energy efficiency. Control of heating temperature and air injection rate is crucial for optimizing the performance of the AAISU process.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jingtao Wei, Xiaodong Wang, Qiuye Li, Jianjun Yang
Summary: This paper reports the synthesis of rivet-like iron oxide nanoparticles for the first time using a one-pot hydrothermal method, which exhibited higher catalytic activity in upgrading Shengli-oilfield extra heavy crude oil. The nanoparticles consisted of a head part with an average size of 50 nm and a tail part with a diameter of 20-40 nm. Due to the site-rich surface of the catalyst and higher exposure of (104) facet, the viscosity of the heavy oil decreased significantly after reaction, making these nanoparticles promising for catalytic applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kitirote Wantala, Warangkana Klangwichian, Totsaporn Suwannaruang, Siriwan Praphatsaraphiwat, Rangsima Taksungnern, Prae Chirawatkul, Sommas Kaewluan, Harikaranahalli Puttaiah Shivaraju
Summary: This study focuses on the upgrading of pyrolytic oil derived from fresh palm fruit using the catalytic in situ hydrodeoxygenation (in situ HDO) process. Nickel-doped HZSM-5 zeolite (Ni-HZSM-5) was prepared and shown to enhance the catalytic potential. The in situ HDO process successfully reduced the oxygen content and cracked the pyrolytic oil into smaller molecules, resulting in an upgraded oil that meets the specifications of kerosene and diesel fuels.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hamed Namdar, Mehrdad Manteghian, Arezou Jafari, Saeid Saviz
Summary: Thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are commonly used to produce oil from heavy oil reservoirs, but they have environmental challenges and cannot reduce viscosity permanently. In-situ oil upgrading with nanocatalyst is a new method that can improve oil quality and enhance oil recovery with less environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Reza Gharibshahi, Mohammadreza Omidkhah, Arezou Jafari, Nafiseh Mehrooz
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Fe3O4, Fe3O4-MWCNT, and Fe3O4-NiO nanohybrids on the in-situ heavy oil upgrading using microwave radiation through the Taguchi DOE method. Results showed that the Fe3O4-MWCNT nanohybrids had higher electrical permeability, loss tangent, and electrical conductivity compared to other nanoparticles. The concentration of nanoparticles had the most significant effect on reducing the viscosity and increasing the API degree of crude oil. Increasing microwave power resulted in higher viscosity, API, and oil sample temperature. The lowest viscosity of crude oil was achieved at a low irradiation time of 8 minutes. The optimal conditions for achieving the greatest reduction in crude oil viscosity were using 0.5 wt% of Fe3O4-MWCNT nanohybrid under 8 minutes of 400 W microwave radiation. The use of Fe3O4-MWCNT nanohybrid also reduced the sulfur content in the primary crude oil sample by 16.6%.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Anastasia N. Mikhailova, Ameen A. Al-Muntaser, Muneer A. Suwaid, Rustem R. Zairov, Ibrahim T. Kadhim, Richard Djimasbe, Alexey Dovzhenko, Ilya A. Bezkishko, Almaz Zinnatullin, Dmitrii A. Emelianov, Reyimkulyyeva S. Umarkulyevna, Farit G. Vagizov, Chengdong Yuan, Mikhail A. Varfolomeev
Summary: In this study, the effectiveness of Ferrocene-based ligand catalysts in hydrothermal upgrading of heavy crude oil was investigated. The results showed that these catalysts promoted the in-situ upgrading of the oil, enhancing its physical and chemical properties. The presence of Tri-Ferrocene resulted in the greatest reduction in viscosity, reaching 40% compared to non-catalytic upgrading. Furthermore, the upgraded oil samples exhibited changes in composition, with increased H/C ratio, reduced sulfur content, increased saturates and aromatics, and decreased resins and asphaltenes.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mikhail A. Varfolomeev, Chengdong Yuan, Alexander V. Bolotov, Ilgiz F. Minkhanov, Seyedsaeed Mehrabi-Kalajahi, Emil R. Saifullin, Marat M. Marvanov, Emil R. Baygildin, Raushan M. Sabiryanov, Allan Rojas, Dmitrii A. Emelianov, Ameen A. Al-Muntaser, Bulat G. Ganiev, Azat T. Zaripov, Anton N. Beregovoi, Damir K. Shaihutdinov
Summary: Using copper stearate as catalysts can significantly accelerate the combustion of heavy oil, promote fuel deposition and combustion, and make them occur more easily at lower temperatures. In combustion processes, copper stearate can lower the ignition temperature, increase the air/fuel ratio, enhance oil recovery, and achieve a higher level of in-situ oil upgrading.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mahdi Abdi-Khanghah, Arezou Jafari, Goodarz Ahmadi, Abdolhossein Hemmati-Sarapardeh
Summary: In this study, the effect of reaction temperature and catalysts soaking time on the concentration distribution of upgraded oil samples was investigated using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach and multi-objective optimization. Statistical modeling was performed using experimental data, and correlations for predicting the concentration of different fractions were developed. The results showed good agreement between the RSM model and experimental data, with high coefficients of determination. The optimum upgrading condition, obtained through multi-objective optimization, was found to be 378.81 degrees C and 17.31 hours, with specific compositions for each fraction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ameer H. AL-Rubaye, Muneer A. Suwaid, Ameen A. Al-Muntaser, Mikhail A. Varfolomeev, Ilfat Z. Rakhmatullin, Mohammed H. Hakimi, Shadi A. Saeed
Summary: The study demonstrates that bimetallic catalysts based on transition metals can effectively improve the in-situ heavy oil upgrading process by reducing viscosity, increasing saturates content, improving H/C ratio, and removing sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Among the catalysts tested, CoFe2O4 shows the best performance in enhancing the quality of heavy crude oil.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Wang, Shunping Wang, Huaxue Yan, Yangsong Bai, Yuehui She, Fan Zhang
Summary: In this study, stable bio-nano flooding system was formed by combining bio-nanoparticles reduced by iron-reducing bacteria with biosurfactant produced by Bacillus. The interfacial properties of the system were studied and the efficient oil displacement capability was measured. The concentration and temperature of the nanobiological flooding system were investigated, showing an increase in recovery rate with higher concentration and optimal temperature of 60°C.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Zhengbin Wu, Hanzhao Chen, Xidong Cai, Qiyang Gou, Liangliang Jiang, Kai Chen, Zhangxin Chen, Shu Jiang
Summary: In situ catalytic upgrading of heavy oil decomposes viscous heavy oil underground through complex chemical and physical reactions with the aid of a catalyst, allowing lighter components to flow to the surface. This technique is environmentally friendly as it reduces or eliminates the use of steam and is considered a promising method to decarbonize the oil industry.