The Role of Nanodispersed Catalysts in Microwave Application during the Development of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Reserves: A Review of Potential Applications

Abstract

Electromagnetic impact on oil reservoir manifests itself in various physical and chemical phenomena and attracts a significant scientific and technological interest. Microwave (MW) radiation heating can be more efficient for the oil recovery than heat transfer by convection or by thermal conduction. MW influence can also lead to significant changes in the physicochemical and rheological properties of oil caused by chemical processes of transformation of the oil high-molecular components such as resins and asphaltenes. The efficiency of transition-metal catalysts applied for the in-situ conversion of hydrocarbons directly in the reservoir might be significantly increased by exposing the oil formation to MW radiation. Actually, transition metals nanoparticles and their oxides are considered as active absorbers of MW radiation and; therefore, they can be used to intensify MW impact on the reservoir. Catalyst particles dispersed in the formation provide enhanced MW sweep. Taken together, the functioning of the catalysts and the effect of microwave radiation provide deep conversion of resins and asphaltenes, a decrease in the viscosity of the produced oil and an increase in oil recovery factor, along with a decrease in water cut of the well production. The present review analyzes the latest works on the combined application of microwave exposure and dispersed catalysts. In addition, this review discusses the prospects and perspectives of practical application of electromagnetic heating to enhance heavy oil recovery in the presence of nanoparticles.

Controversial Issues of Hydrocarbon Field Formation and the Role of Geomagnetic Fields

“…In addition, a method for the integrated use of magnetic fields and various catalysts has been gaining popularity in recent years, and a decrease in oil viscosity has been noted [32].…”

A Review on the Role of Amorphous Aluminum Compounds in Catalysis: Avenues of Investigation and Potential Application in Petrochemistry and Oil Refining

“…Research on different types of catalysts for oil refining is being carried out worldwide. In [83][84][85][86][87][88], the authors describe the use of catalysts based on transition metals (Co, Ni, Fe, Cu) in combination with the action of water steam, which allow the creation of conditions for the underground refining of heavy oil (partial processing of heavy fractions in the reservoir), reducing the viscosity of the produced oil and improving its qualitative composition. This can increase the oil production rate and reduce the steam to oil ratio.…”

Microwave Radiation Impact on Heavy Oil Upgrading from Carbonate Deposits in the Presence of Nano-Sized Magnetite

“…The last decade have witnessed an increase in heavy oil production utilizing thermal enhanced oil recovery methods as an energy efficiency techniques especially in the presence of fundamentally new class of reagents such as in-situ catalysts of aquathermolysis [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Many previous works and field experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of such reagents [7][8][9][10].…”

“…Other works, suggest another way of improving the efficiency of in-situ aquathermolysis catalysts by exposing the reservoir to microwave radiation. In other words, the distributed catalyst particles within the formation may stimulate the reservoir coverage in the presence of microwave radiations [6,11].…”