Bituminous Oil Research Articles

Viscometric studies of heavy oil in the presence of compositions consisting of amphiphilic compounds and organic solvents

The chemical composition of high-viscosity heavy oil has been studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. It is found that characteristic absorption bands are available and characterize aliphatic structures and aromatic cycles, sulfur- and organophosphorus compounds, and the presence of compounds containing heteroatoms P, V, Ca, Pd, Ni, Ru, Mo, Fe, Cu and Zn in its composition is found. The method of rotational viscometry has established the Newtonian nature of the oil flow in the studied range of the velocity up to 300 s–1. At the same time, according to the densitometry results (ρ = 0.954 g/cm3 ), studied heavy oil belongs to the bituminous type characterized by a complex rheological behavior under long- and high-term deformation conditions. In order to regulate the studied oil viscosity properties, composite additives based on amphiphilic reagents of cationic and amphoteric type and organic solvents have been developed, their influence on dynamic and kinematic viscosity has been examined. It has been established that compositions with surfactants simultaneously containing a large amount of amino and phosphate groups dissolved in a non-polar aromatic solvent (toluene) or an organic mixture (catalytic reforming gasoline) have a maximum modifying effect of the colloidal structure of bituminous oil. The interaction of functional groups of amphiphilic reagents with oil heteroatoms leads to the dispersion of resinous-asphaltene substances, a decrease in the structural and mechanical strength of the system, an increase in the molecular mobility of aggregates, which results in improving the investigated oil quality and viscosity characteristics by 7.0 and 12.6 % according to the composition efficiency index.

MICROWAVE THERMOLYSIS OF HEAVY OIL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IRON-BASED CATALYST

Global demand for energy is growing every year, and there is also a decrease in reserves of traditional hydrocarbons. Today, the share of highly viscous and bitumen oil reserves is 25 % of the world. Production of extra-viscous oils will grow around the world.In order to solve the problem of developing highly viscous and bitumen deposits and increase oil recovery, we offer a technology for using aquatermolysis catalyst. Experience in the use of in-situ chemical conversion of organic matter has shown sufficient effectiveness in solving this problem.In this work, laboratory studies were carried out to improve the rheological characteristics of highly viscous and bituminous oils using microwave exposure using an iron-based catalyst precursor.The addition of a catalyst precursor containing iron nanoparticles provides more uniform and higher-speed heating when the formation is exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. This heating technology has been used in various fields to achieve environmental safety and high energy savings, in comparison with traditional methods that cannot achieve these indicators. The proposed technology simplifies the development process by eliminating the injection of coolants, thereby providing prospects for the processes of intensification of production and its subsequent transportation.In order to assess the possibility of effective application of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to the formation in a particular field, first of all, data on the rheological characteristics of oil after exposure should be presented.These laboratory studies showed a decrease in viscosity under microwave exposure in the presence of a catalyst up to 1.8 times compared to the original oil sample. A decrease in viscosity characteristics was recorded already from a five-minute microwave exposure, as well as a change in the component composition of the oil, the tar content decreases by 27 % relative to the initial oil sample. This combination of the two methods of action provides new opportunities for the development of new technologies, as well as more efficient production of heavy oil.

Structural Composition and Molecular Weight Distribution of Dissolved Organic Matter in Bituminous Oil Sand from Okitipupa, Southern Nigeria

Structural Composition and Molecular Weight Distribution of Dissolved Organic Matter in Bituminous Oil Sand from Okitipupa, Southern Nigeria

Study of the composition of high molecular asphaltenes of bituminous oils using ruthenium ion-catalyzed oxidation reaction

Relevance. Conditioned by the need to expand the amount of data on composition and structure of the asphaltene constituents of heavy oils. The data are important for creation of new and modernization of existing technologies for processing unconventional hydrocarbon raw materials. Aim. To study the composition of structural fragments in macromolecules of asphaltenes of bituminous oils from the Ashalchinskoe, Usinskoe, and Nurlatskoe oilfields using the ruthenium ion-catalyzed oxidation. Object. Fractions of high-molecular asphaltenes, which make up the bulk of the asphaltene constituents of the Ashalchinskoe, Usinskoe, and Nurlatskoe oils (94.1; 92.1 and 95.0 rel. %). Methods. Elemental analysis, cryoscopy in benzene, selective chemical destruction of Car–C bonds using a ruthenium ion-catalyzed oxidation, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results. It has been established that the structure of high-molecular asphaltenes of bituminous oils from the Ashalchinskoe, Usinskoe, and Nurlatskoe oilfields contains fragments bound to the core of their molecules through Car.–C bridges and compounds trapped in the hollow cells of macromolecular entities of asphaltenes during kerogen cracking. It follows from the analysis of the oxidation products that the covalently bonded fragments are represented by C8–C32 n-alkanes, branched C9–C30 alkanes (2-methylalkanes and C15, C19, C20 isoprenoids), C22–C24 cheilanthanes, C27, C29–C33 hopanes and long chain alkyl bridges (C9–C30) connecting aromatic blocks. Most of the fragments linked by Car.–C bridges are linear paraffin chains. Typical biological markers, i. e. n-alkanes and hopanes were identified among the occluded compounds.

Changes in composition and structure of nitrogenous bases of resin components of heavy oil from the Nurlatskoe oilfield in the course of thermal decomposition

The relevance. The need to obtain information on heat treatment effect on composition and structure of nitrogenous bases of resin components of heavy oil from the Nurlatskoe field (Republic of Tatarstan) to solve the problems associated with their negative impact on oil refining. The aim. To characterize the composition of nitrogenous organic bases, isolated from the resins of bituminous oil of the Nurlatskoe field, and the products of their thermal cracking. Methods. Complex formation, extraction, liquid adsorption chromatography, potentiometric titration, 1H NMR spectroscopy, structural group analysis, combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results. Based on a comparative study of the composition and structure of nitrogenous bases of the initial and thermally treated resins of the bituminous oil from the Nurlatskoe field, the authors found out that they both contain high- and low-molecular nitrogenous bases with predominance of high-molecular compounds precipitated by hydrogen chloride. As a result of thermal exposure, the number of such bases increases due to an increase in the proportion of compounds with shorter alkyl substituents in their composition. The method of structural group analysis was used to show that the main directions of thermal transformations of high- and low-molecular bases of resins in Nurlatskoe oil are destruction of alkyl substituents and cyclization of shortened alkyl chains with formation of naphthenic rings. Among the lowest molecular weight bases of the initial resins and thermolysate the authors have identified alkyl-substituted quinolines, benzoquinolines, azapyrenes, thiophenoquinolines, and benzothiophenoquinolines with similar molecular weight distributions. During the thermolysis of resins, the relative content of low molecular weight homologues in the identified nitrogenous bases increases. The share of structures with reduced chromatographic mobility caused by a decrease in the degree of spatial screening of a nitrogen atom increases among similar homologues.

Elucidating the impact of ultrasonic treatment on bituminous oil properties: A comprehensive study of viscosity modification

As global energy needs rise and traditional oil production wanes, heavy and viscous oils are becoming increasingly important. This study explores the use of ultrasonic technology to reduce oil viscosity. We investigated the relationship between ultrasonic exposure duration and changes in bituminous oil composition, using chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze chemical alterations in oil samples pre and post-ultrasonic treatment. Viscosity changes at varied temperatures and shear rates were measured using a vibration viscometer and a rheometer. Our results showed that the viscosity reduction ratio (VRR) peaked at over 30% after 3 min of ultrasonic exposure. However, some processing methods and oil compositions led to increased viscosity. Post-treatment, lighter oil components were more prevalent, suggesting that ultrasonic exposure disrupts long carbon chains, reducing viscosity. Conversely, viscosity increases may result from molecular reconnection within bituminous oil. This research provides insights into a novel method for reducing heavy oil viscosity using ultrasonic technology, broadening our understanding of its applications in energy science and highlighting its potential to revolutionize heavy oil utilization.

Engineering properties and mechanical behaviour of problematic soil stabilized by bituminous oil shale ash

This paper investigates the viability of stabilizing expansive brown clays in the Northern region of Jordan using a local bituminous oil shale ash from El-Lajjun, Jordan. A comprehensive experimental programme was designed to i. examine the impact of oil shale ash dose by weight on the strength gain. ii. Evaluate oil shale ash stabilized clays' consolidation and volume change behaviour during loading and unloading. Results revealed that adding 20 % bituminous OSA remarkably improved expansive brown clays' engineering properties and mechanical behaviour. An increase of 140 % in the unconfined compressive strength and a reduction of 19.3 % in the permeability coefficient was obtained at 20 % OSA. Also, the Unconfined Compressive Strength tests revealed that the strength of OSA-treated expansive clays is significantly affected by the curing time. Increases of 35.1 % and 65.7 % in the unconfined compressive strength were achieved after 7 days and 21 days of curing, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of OSA showed an effect on compressibility behaviour, reducing settlement. Regarding the consolidation parameters, the inclusion of 20 % OSA reduced the compression index (Cc) and swelling index (Cs) by 42.67 % and 72.6 %, respectively.

Nitrogen-Containing Bases of Bituminous Oils

Structural group analysis and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were used to characterize high- and low-molecular-weight nitrogen-containing bases of bituminous oils from various oil and gas provinces of Russia. It was found that the high-molecular-weight bases were similar in their structural organization: their averaged molecules were almost not different in the numbers of structural blocks and aromatic and naphthenic rings contained in them, and the numbers of carbon atoms in paraffin fragments. It was shown that the low-molecular-weight bases of all oils contained similar sets of alkyl-substituted quinolines, benzoquinolines, azapyrenes, and thiopheno- and benzothiophenoquinolines.

Composition and Structure of the Asphaltene Components of Bituminous Oils

It was shown that the averaged asphaltene molecules of bituminous oils include no more than four structural blocks, the skeletons of which differ in the numbers of aromatic and naphthenic rings and the numbers of carbon atoms in alkyl substituents. The crystalline part of the macromolecules of the test asphaltenes had a layered structure. In terms of the number of layers of a packed structure, the thickness and the average diameter of its packing, and the number of aromatic rings in a layer, the test asphaltenes differed insignificantly.

Composition and Structure of the Asphaltene Components of Bituminous Oils

Composition and Structure of the Asphaltene Components of Bituminous Oils

Nitrogen-Containing Bases of Bituminous Oils

Nitrogen-Containing Bases of Bituminous Oils

Some questions of laboratory assessment of changes in the properties of bituminous oil after solvent injection into steam cycle wells

Some questions of laboratory assessment of changes in the properties of bituminous oil after solvent injection into steam cycle wells

Modern Bitumen Oil Mixture Models in Ashalchinsky Field with Low-Viscosity Solvent at Various Temperatures and Solvent Concentrations

The article analyzes the modern theory and practice of pipeline transport of bituminous oil together with low-viscosity solvent. In addition, a detailed analysis of the rheological models of non-Newtonian fluids is carried out, which establishes a number of assumptions on the rheology model selection algorithm currently in use (limited number of rheological models, variability in model coefficient assignment, etc.). Ways of their elimination are proposed. Dependencies for determination of the dynamic viscosity coefficient of binary oil mixtures are investigated. Calculation of the parameters of the bituminous oil mixture with solvent is considered. Complex experimental studies on rheology mixture models of bituminous oil and solvent on the example of the Ashalchinsky field (Russia, Tatarstan) in a wide range of temperatures and concentrations of the solvent are conducted. A two-dimensional field of rheological models of the oil mixture is constructed, which makes it possible to determine the rheological model of the pumped oil mixture depending on the solvent concentration and the temperature of the mixture. Formulas for forecasting the rheological properties of the oil mixture on the basis of statistical processing of the results of experimental studies are theoretically substantiated. It is proven that the viscosity of binary oil mixtures in the Newtonian fluid field should be determined by a modified Arrhenius equation. The proposed models with a high degree of accuracy describe the rheological properties of the oil mixture. It is shown that in the case of complex mixtures, not one rheological model should be applied, but their hierarchy should be established depending on the solvent concentration and temperature.

A Novel Approach in Understanding the Role of Water in Oxidation and Upgrading Reactions during In-Situ Combustion Oil Recovery, Part B: Interpretations

Summary To understand the role of connate water as a source of hydrogen in oxidation and upgrading of bituminous oil at high temperature, heavy water (D2O) and O-18 enriched water (H2O18) were used as connate water in two different in-situ combustion experiments using a conical tube. Aside from a fundamental understanding of the role of such reactions in in-situ combustion, the results could also potentially help in optimizing in-situ hydrogen generation and upgrading of heavy and bituminous oil. The conical tube had previously been used for understanding the impact of air flux in sustaining the combustion front (please see Alamatsaz et al. 2011Alamatsaz et al. 2012,2). Significant upgrading was observed in these tests with a produced API gravity of 35 °API compared to the original bitumen gravity of 9 °API. The produced fluids (gases and water) were analyzed with a mass spectrometer to demonstrate the effectiveness of using D2O and H2O18 as tracers in bitumen upgrading reactions and specifically to determine whether the H2O18 would be more effective than D2O in understanding the role of connate water. It was found that heavy water exchanges too readily with hydrogen atoms in the bitumen when the two are mixed. As a result, it could not be reliably used as an indicator for identifying the role of water. The run with O-18 enriched water, however, provided a better indication of water participation in the oxidation reactions. The results obtained from the mass spectrometry analysis of evolved gases and water samples collected in the second test showed that water does split during the reaction and O atoms of indigenous water molecules do combine with C atoms (from the hydrocarbon) to form CO2. These findings open the path for mechanistic considerations around the processes taking place during in-situ combustion and in-situ upgrading reactions.

A Novel Approach in Understanding the Role of Water in Oxidation and Upgrading Reactions during In-Situ Combustion Oil Recovery, Part A: Experimental Observations

Summary To understand the role of connate water as a source of hydrogen in oxidation and upgrading of bituminous oil at high temperature, heavy water (D2O) and O-18 enriched water (H2O18) were used as connate water in two different in-situ combustion experiments using a conical tube. Aside from fundamental understanding of the role of such reactions in in-situ combustion, the results could also potentially help in optimizing in-situ hydrogen generation and upgrading of heavy and bituminous oil. The conical tube had previously been used for understanding the impact of air flux (AF) in sustaining the combustion front (Alamatsaz et al. 2011). Significant upgrading was observed in these tests with a produced API gravity of 35 ° compared to the original bitumen gravity of 9 °API. This paper (Part A) deals with the experimental results including a comparison between conical tube and a combustion tube (CT) results. A subsequent paper (Part B) will discuss the upgrading aspects and the mass spectrometry results.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN OIL RECOVERY OIL RECOVERY FROM BITUMINOUS SANDS

Bituminous sands are one of the main sources of alternative energy. However, the limited application of this method is associated with environmental and technical problems arising from the extraction of oil from bituminous deposits. In this paper, the authors propose a new environmentally friendly technology based on the application of nanoreagents for oil extraction from bituminous oil. Keywords: The bituminous rock, environmental problems of oil production, extraction method, a reagent, the reservoir water, the washing liquid.

The effect of water salinity on the effectiveness of oil dispersants

A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the industrially produced oil spill dispersants (Finasol OSR 52 (France), Slickgone NS and Slickgone EW (United Kingdom)) was carried out. The effectiveness of dispersants was assessed using three samples of domestic crude oil with different physical and chemical properties (extra light, heavy, and bituminous oil) in water samples of various salinity. An adapted version of ASTM F2059–17 «Standard Test Method for Laboratory Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Using the Swirling Flask» (the so-called SFT test) was used for evaluation. The low-energy technique was chosen to determine conditionally lower limits of the dispersant effectiveness. Comparative tests were carried out at the highest dispersant-to-oil ratio 1:10 allowed in the Russian Federation (according to STO 318.4.02–2005 «Rules of dispersant application for oil spill response»), water temperature 20°C and water salinity 0, 5, 10, 20, and 35‰. It is shown that the dispersants are poorly effective in dispersing the considered oil samples at water salinity 35‰. A general trend of increasing the dispersant effectiveness with a decrease in water salinity is demonstrated. It is shown that all tested dispersants are not suitable for application in the studied range of water salinity in the event of spill of the bituminous oil with a high content of asphaltenes and polar compounds. For all dispersants, the limits of their application are determined depending on the salinity of water. The effectiveness value equal to 45 % legally approved in the USA and Mexico was taken as a threshold value. The revealed lack of the dispersant versality necessitates preliminary experimental testing using a sample of spilled oil under climatic and hydrochemical conditions corresponding to the potential area of their application.

Coking of high-viscosity water-containing oil

Objectives. A characteristic feature of oil production is an increase in the volume of highviscosity bituminous oil. In Russia, technologies based on the use of water vapor are used for their extraction. The use of such technologies leads to a large amount of water in the product stream from the production well. Preparation of oil for processing involves its stabilization, desalination, and dewatering. Since the densities of the extracted oil and the water contained in it are comparable, traditional preparation schemes for processing of high-viscosity bituminous oil are ineffective. One of the possible solutions to the problem involving such oil in the fuel, energy, and petrochemical balance is to use a coking process at the first stage of its processing. This aim can be achieved by studying the influence of the process conditions of coking high-viscosity water-containing oil on the yield and characteristics of the resulting products.Methods. Coking of oil with a density of 1.0200 g/cm3 at 50 °C and with 18 wt % water content was carried out in a laboratory installation in a “cube.” A hollow cylindrical apparatus was used as a reactor and was placed in a furnace. The temperature and pressure in the reactor were maintained at 500–700 °C and 0.10–0.35 MPa, respectively.Results. An increase in the coking process temperature results in an increase in the amount of gaseous products, a decrease in the amount of the coke generated, and a higher dependence of the amount of liquid products on temperature with a maximum yield at 550–600 °C. The process temperature also affects the composition of liquid products. At a lower temperature, the amount of gasoline and kerosene fractions in liquid products is higher. With an increase in pressure, a higher amount of gaseous products, coke, and low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon fractions in liquid products could also be obtained. The characteristics of the coke produced in the coking process are similar to those of commercially produced grades. It is noted that when coking water-containing oil, up to 98% of the emulsion water goes with liquid products, and the remaining amount of water remains in the formed coke.Conclusions. Results showed the possible application of the coking process at the initial stage of processing high-viscosity bituminous oil. In this case, the dewatering stage is significantly simplified since the technological scheme of delayed coking allows the separation of the gasoline fraction from water.

Aquathermolysis of high-viscosity oil terrigenic sediments in the presence of iron oxide (II, III)

Nowadays, it is especially important and relevant to improve the efficiency of existing methods of enhanced oil recovery, in particular, thermal methods using water steam. The use of catalysis at the stage of development of unconventional hydrocarbon fields, namely super-viscous and bituminous oils, will allow solving this problem. This work is devoted to the study of the transformation of heavy oil from the Ashalchinskoye field in the process of catalytic aquathermolysis. The oil samples were extracts from sandstone, which was subjected to thermal steam treatment in a high-pressure reactor at temperatures of 200 and 250C for 24 h. Nanosized iron (II, III) oxide in complex with a hydrogen donor was used as a catalytic composition. According to the results of SARA-analysis, it was found that at a temperature of 200C, iron oxide does not show its catalytic properties, and there is no noticeable improvement in the composition of heavy oil. The destruction of resins and asphaltenes is observed after thermocatalytic treatment at 250C. This leads to the enrichment of oil with lighter hydrocarbons, which is confirmed by GC-MS data of the saturated fraction of oil. All this provides a significant decrease in the viscosity of heavy oil compared to the non-catalytic process from 1140 cP to 37 cP The formation of coke-like substances adsorbed on sandstone as a result of thermocatalytic action at 250C was revealed by the results of TG-DSC.

Experimental Studies of the Effect of Plasma-Pulse Treatment on Rheological Properties of Oil

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the effectiveness and duration of the pulse-plasma treatment of oil. The aim of this work is to assess the effect of plasma-pulse treatment of oil (PPT) on its viscosity and pour point (solidification). The relevance of the work results is due to the need to improve the efficiency of oil transportation through main and industrial pipelines. The research work carried out relates to the field of physicochemical and mechanical methods of processing heavy and bituminous oils during their transportation through pipelines without the use of heating and thinners.