Influence of Sodium Metal Nanoparticles on the Efficiency of Heavy Oil Aquathermolysis

Abstract

In this study, for the first time we investigated the in situ upgrading performance of Na metal nanoparticles, which were obtained by dispersing small pieces of sodium in liquid paraffin up to certain dispersity. In situ aquathermolytic reactions were modeled in a high pressure–high temperature reactor coupled with a Gas Chromatography (GC) system at a temperature of 250 °C for 24 h using a heavy oil sample, produced from the Ashal’cha reservoir, Republic of Tatarstan (Russia). The mean particle size of Na nanoparticles was 6.5 nm determined by the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method. The nanoparticles were introduced to the reaction medium with a concentration of 2 wt.% The upgrading performance of Na nanoparticles was evaluated by several analytical methods such as Gas Chromatography (GC), elemental analysis (CHNS), SARA, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), FT-IR spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. It was revealed that Na nanoparticles interact with water to yield hydrogen gas, the concentration of which increases from 0.015 to 0.805 wt.% Moreover, the viscosity of upgraded heavy oil was reduced by more than 50% and the content of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons in saturated and aromatics fractions was increased. The Na nanoparticles contributed to the utilization of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide by 99 and 94 wt.%, respectively.

Nanoparticles Technology for Improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process Performance: A Review

“…The cost of a nanofluid depends, fundamentally, on the cost of the synthesis precursors. , Davoodi et al presented a detailed discussion on the average cost in USD/g of some nanoparticles suitable for drilling fluid additives. For instance, SiO 2 , ZrO 2 , and Fe 2 O 3 are the cheapest nanoparticles with a value lower than 1 USD/g.…”

The Effect of Thermal Steam Treatment Duration with Metallic Sodium Nanoparticles on Heavy Oil Upgrading

“…In our previous research, we demonstrated the high efficiency of nanodispersed metallic sodium, an easily obtainable material derived from simple dispersion . This led to the refinement and viscosity reduction of oil along with hydrogen sulfide neutralization.…”

“…39 In our previous research, we demonstrated the high efficiency of nanodispersed metallic sodium, an easily obtainable material derived from simple dispersion. 34 This led to the refinement and viscosity reduction of oil along with hydrogen sulfide neutralization. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the duration of the thermobaric process of TST in the presence of nanodispersed metallic sodium on the properties of the oil.…”

“…Reference utilized a highly dispersed nickel-based catalyst in the aquathermolysis processes of heavy oil from the Luntai field in China, resulting in a significant decrease in viscosity and the content of heavy oil fractions such as asphaltenes and resins. They also found that employing a hydrogen donor (tetralin) with the catalyst yielded the maximum effect in altering the fractional composition toward an increase in more mobile and saturated components.…”