Upgrading and Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Oil by Catalytic Ionic Liquid

Abstract

A new class of catalytic ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM][FeCl4] and its modified version, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate [BMIM][FeCl4], were systematically investigated. The modified ionic liquid [BMIM]­[FeCl4] was used to upgrade heavy crude oils. The effects of the reaction temperature and the amount of water on the upgrading of heavy crude oils were studied. The reduction of viscosity by [BMIM]­[FeCl4] is remarkable when the amount of water in the heavy crude oil is less than 8%. It was found that [BMIM]­[FeCl4]-based ionic liquids have the best effect on the heavy crude oil upgrading at the optimum temperature between 70–90 °C. The results show that the viscosity reduction increased from 26.8 to 78.6% when the heavy crude oil was treated with [BMIM]­[FeCl4] at 90 °C. Also, the sulfur reduction increased to 20%. [BMIM]­[Cl] and [BMIM]­[FeCl4] were studied by physicochemical methods and catalytic activity measurements in upgrading of heavy oils.

Recent Approaches, Catalysts and Formulations for Enhanced Recovery of Heavy Crude Oils

“…Similarly, TiO 2 has served as a good modifying agent for alumina supporting CoMo, for HDM and HDS [105]. In addition, temperature tolerant ionic liquid-modified catalysts such as imidazolium tetracholoferrate BMIM [FeCl 4 ] when added to heavy crude (at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 % catalyst oil ratio) can achieve remarkable reduction in viscosity (52.2 %), and HDS (20 %) at 70 to 90 °C [106].…”

Application of Ionic Liquids in the Upstream oil Industry-A Review

“…The process was seen to be more efficient viscosity reducer when certain amount of sulfur was present in the oils and the water content in the oil was less than 10%. Further progress on the similar class of ILs, the modified versions of 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate [BMIM] [FeCl 4 ], were prepared by Shaban et al [47]. and studied through physicochemical methods and catalytic activity measurements, with special emphasis on the reaction temperature and the water content in the heavy crude oils.…”

“…and studied through physicochemical methods and catalytic activity measurements, with special emphasis on the reaction temperature and the water content in the heavy crude oils. It was found that [BMIM] [FeCl 4 ] family of ILs have the best effect on the heavy crude oil upgradation between 70-90°C temperature and water content less than 8% [47].…”

Asphaltene Structure Modifiers as a Novel Approach for Viscosity Reduction in Heavy Crude Oils

“…Transport of heavy crude oil is probably the most determinant aspect in crude oil profitability, and to alleviate it, several methodologies have been implemented to modify their viscosity: heating, dilution by mixtures with light crude oils or crude oil fractions (condensate, gasoline, kerosene, or naphtha), emulsification of oil in water (o/w), and annular flow core . In Colombia, these methodologies are frequently used in heavy oil wells; however, there are novel advances and technologies that achieve viscosity reduction, such as visbreaking of heavy oils applying microwave radiation, viscosity reduction by aquathermolysis with coordination complexes and the use of catalytic ionic liquids, nanoparticles, and quadripolymers. − …”