This
study was carried out to evaluate the
effect of high pressure on the oxidation kinetics of n-heptane asphaltenes in the presence and absence of AuPd/Ce0.62Zr0.38O2 catalysts. Bimetallic Au–Pd
catalysts with Au/Pd molar ratios from 3.5 to 9.6 were synthesized
by deposition–precipitation of Au and followed by incipient
wetness impregnation of Pd (3:1AuPd and 10:1AuPd). Adsorption isotherms
between hydrocarbons and nanocatalysts were constructed varying the
initial asphaltene concentration from 100 to 1500 mg·L–1. Subsequent oxidation was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis
under an air atmosphere, at different pressures from 0.084 to 6.0
MPa in a wide temperature range between 100 and 800 °C. Kinetic
parameters were calculated using a first-order kinetic model, considering
the system pressure. Adsorption affinity increases in the order support
< 3:1AuPd < 10:1AuPd. The catalytic activity of the nanocatalyst
was highly dependent on the employed temperature and pressure. Their
presence reduces the n-C7 asphaltene decomposition
temperature from 450 °C to temperatures below 200 °C for
all catalysts used at 6.0 MPa. The main decomposition peaks are presented
at 150, 170, and 210 °C for 10:1AuPd, 3:1AuPd, and support, at
6.0 MPa, respectively. Besides, the oxygen chemisorption (OC) region
is favored as the material has a greater catalytic activity, increasing
from 9.0 to 14.0% (on the load asphaltene basis calculation) for the
support and 10:1AuPd catalyst. This was corroborated by the activation
energy, which is reduced by more than 30% for all pressures evaluated
with the best system. Besides, 89.0 and 80.0% of the mass are lost
in the decomposition of the chemisorbed oxygen (DCO) thermal event
for the 10:1AuPd and 3:1AuPd nanocatalysts, respectively. Finally,
first and second combustions were carried out at temperatures below
240 °C at 6.0 MPa for the 10:1AuPd system, which is a very promising
result to determine the reaction pathway for the heavy and extraheavy
crude oils during EOR application.