Upgrading of heavy oil from the San Joaquin valley of California by aqueous pyrolysis

Conference · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:501018

Reynolds, J G; Murray, A M; Nuxoll, E V; Fox, G A; Thorsness, C B ^[1]; Khan, M R ^[2]

---

1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
2. Texaco R and D, Beacon, NY (United States)

Midway Sunset crude oil and well-head oil were treated at elevated temperatures in a closed system with the presence of water. Mild to moderate upgrading, as measured by increasing in API gravity, was observed at 400 C or above. Reduced pressure operation exhibited upgrading activity comparable to upgrading under normal aqueous pyrolysis conditions. Reduced pressure operation was obtained by the use of specific blending methods, a surfactant, and the proper amount of water. The use of metal complexes provided additional upgrading. The best of the minimum set tested was Co(II) 2-ethylhexanoate. Fe, Zn, Mo, Cu, and Ni complexes also showed some levels of activity.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 501018
• Report Number(s): CONF-960401-; ISBN 1-55899-335-5; TRN: IM9732%%246
• Resource Relation: Conference: Spring meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS), San Francisco, CA (United States), 8-12 Apr 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Aqueous chemistry and geochemistry of oxides, oxyhydroxides, and related materials; Voigt, J.A. [ed.] [Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; Wood, T.E. [ed.] [3M Co., St. Paul, MN (United States)]; Bunker, B.C. [ed.] [Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)]; Casey, W.H. [ed.] [Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)]; Crossey, L.J. [ed.] [Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; PB: 384 p.; Materials Research Society symposium proceedings, Volume 432
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM
PYROLYSIS
VISCOSITY
CALIFORNIA
API GRAVITY
COBALT COMPOUNDS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
IRON
ZINC
MOLYBDENUM
COPPER
NICKEL