Viscosity reduction of heavy crude oil by dilution with hydrocarbons obtained via chemical recycling of plastic wastes

Abstract

The increasing energy demand is persuading oil companies to exploit unconventional reserves of heavy and extra heavy crude oil, which are characterized for their elevated viscosities and upraised production costs. Expensive flow modifiers are often used to lower the viscosity of heavy crude oils so that pipeline transportation becomes viable. In this study, thermal cracking tests were conducted to obtain hydrocarbons (condensate) of lower molar masses, from common plastic wastes. Physical properties of the products were measured, such as viscosity, density, pour point, cloud point and aniline temperature. Due to their chemical similarity, the hydrocarbon products from the tertiary recycling of postconsumer low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags were used to dilute a heavy crude oil (12°API) and lower its viscosity. Results showed a viscosity reduction of 90% at room temperature of a 5:25 vol:vol blend of hydrocarbons/heavy crude oil. This paper proposes an alternative solution for two alarming global problems: waste plastics recovery and optimal transportation of heavy crude oil; However, an industrial application of this process would have to be combined with municipal solid waste collection and pre-treatment technologies.