Aquathermolytic Upgrading of Zarafshanian Extra Heavy Oil Using Ammonium Alum
Amirjon Ali Akhunov, Firdavs Aliev, Nurali Mukhamadiev, Oscar Facknwie Kahwir, Alexey Dengaev, Mohammed Yasin Majeed, Mustafa Esmaeel, Abdulvahhab Al-Qaz, Oybek Mirzaev, Alexey Vakhin
TL;DR
Researchers found that ammonium alum effectively upgrades extra-heavy oil by breaking down resins and asphaltenes, significantly reducing viscosity and sulfur content.
Contribution
This study introduces ammonium alum as a novel, water-soluble pre-catalyst for hydrothermal upgrading of extra-heavy oil.
Findings
Oil viscosity was reduced by 94% using ammonium alum.
Sulfur content decreased from 896 ppm to 312 ppm.
Thermal decomposition of ammonium alum produces catalytically active Al2O3 nanoparticles.
Abstract
The growing global demand for energy necessitates the efficient utilization of unconventional petroleum resources, particularly heavy oil reserves. However, extracting, transporting, and processing these resources remain challenging due to their low mobility, low API gravity, and significant concentrations of resins, asphaltenes, heteroatoms, and metals. In recent years, various in situ upgrading techniques have been explored to enhance heavy oil quality, with catalytic aquathermolysis emerging as a promising approach. The effectiveness of this process largely depends on the development of cost-effective, environmentally friendly catalysts. This study investigates the upgrading performance of water-soluble ammonium alum, (NH4)Al(SO4)2·12H2O, for an extra-heavy oil sample from the Zarafshan Depression, located along the Tajikistan–Uzbekistan border. Comprehensive analyses demonstrate…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPetroleum Processing and Analysis · Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis · Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques