Novel preparation of MoO3/γ-Al2O3 nanocatalyst: application in extra-heavy oil visbreaking at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

In this study, the effect of gamma alumina-based molybdenum oxide nanoparticles, on the viscosity reduction of extra-heavy crude oil in a catalytic cracking process in atmospheric pressure and at 250–350 °C investigated for the first time. Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the polyol method and heating by microwave radiation. According to the dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, obtained nanoparticles have an average size of 6 nm. These nanoparticles coated on gamma-alumina powder using the novel method of per-vaporation, and through this method, 0.011 g of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles coated over per 1 g of catalyst, during 14 days. The performance of the synthesized catalysts in the cracking process of extra-heavy crude oil investigated. Statistical design of the experiment (DOE) used to study the effect of catalyst concentration and process temperature on product viscosity and to obtain optimal value of these factors. Based on the central composite design (CCD) method, the cubic model developed to correlate the catalyst wt% and temperature for upgraded oil viscosity. By applying the synthesized nanocatalyst in the range of 0.59–4 wt%, the viscosity reduction from 32 to 86% was observed. The highest viscosity reduction happened at 350 °C and 2% weight percent of nanocatalysts, in which the viscosity reduced from 20,000 cp to 2800 cp.