Abstract

Heavy crude oil enhanced into a lighter oil by hydrocracking process with nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) as catalysts. Ni NPs were synthesized by colloidal method (chemical reduction of metal salts). The reduction of nickel nitrate hexahydrate ((Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) was done using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as a reducing agent in presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone which worked as a protective and stabilizing agent; ethanol was used as a solvent. The properties of the nanoparticles were investigated by FT-IR, TEM, XRD, and HRTEM. These techniques confirmed the formation of Ni NPs with an average size of 10 nm and a tetragonal structure. The experiments were carried out in a batch reactor at 45 Kg_f cm⁻² (initial H₂ pressure), 380 °C, stirring speed of 500 rpm and reaction time of 1 h. In all cases, the increase in the concentration of Ni nanoparticles improved the physical and chemical properties of heavy crude oil, even in limited hydrogen conditions; these properties were measured in terms of viscosity, SARA analysis, sulfur and nitrogen removal, and chromatographic analysis of gaseous products. The asphaltenes conversion was of 26.31% and moderate sulfur removal was achieved, these results are promising for EOR application.

Graphic Abstract

摘要

以镍纳米颗粒（Ni NPs）为催化剂，通过加氢裂化工艺将重质原油提炼成轻质油。Ni NPs是通过胶体法（金属盐的化学还原）合成的。六水合硝酸镍（（Ni（NO ₃）₂ ·6H ₂ O））的还原反应是使用硼氢化钠（NaBH ₄）作为还原剂，在聚乙烯吡咯烷酮作为保护和稳定剂的情况下进行的；乙醇被用作还原剂。通过FT-IR，TEM，XRD和HRTEM研究了纳米粒子的性能，这些技术证实了平均大小为10 nm，具有四方结构的Ni NPs的形成，并在间歇反应器中进行了实验。在45 Kg _f cm ^-2时（初始H ₂压力），380°C，搅拌速度为500 rpm，反应时间为1 h。在所有情况下，即使在有限的氢气条件下，镍纳米颗粒浓度的提高也改善了重质原油的物理和化学性质；这些性质是根据​​粘度，SARA分析，硫和氮的去除以及气态产物的色谱分析进行测量的。沥青质的转化率为26.31％，并实现了适度的脱硫，这些结果对于EOR应用很有希望。

图形摘要