Reduction of heavy oil viscosity through ultrasound cavitation assisted by NiO nanocrystals-functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles

• Published in: Dyna (Medellín, Colombia) Vol. 85; no. 207; pp. 153 - 160
• Main Authors: Montes, Daniel, Cortés, Farid B., Franco, Camilo A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bogota Universidad Nacional de Colombia 01.10.2018
• Subjects: asfaltenos; asphaltenes; Catalysis; cavitación por ultrasonido; Cavitation; crudo pesado; ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; Exposure; heavy oil; Moisture content; Nanocrystals; Nanoparticles; nanopartículas; Nickel oxides; Oil; Reduction; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; ultrasound cavitation; viscosidad; Viscosity; asfaltenos; viscosity; nanoparticles; crudo pesado; nanopartículas; cavitación por ultrasonido; asphaltenes; heavy oil; ultrasound cavitation; viscosidad
• ISSN: 0012-7353; 2346-2183
• DOI: 10.15446/dyna.v85n207.71804

The objective of this study is to reduce heavy oil viscosity through the catalytic decomposition of heavy fractions by ultrasound cavitation using metal oxide nanoparticles and water as a hydrogen donor, leading to the reduction of asphaltene content through its conversion into lighter components. NiO nanoparticles were synthesized over a 7 nm silica support using the incipient wetness technique. Emulsified heavy oil (HO) with 40%v/v of water and 13°API was used to evaluate the ultrasound cavitation process over different exposure times and nanoparticle dosages. The viscosity of the emulsified HO before and after ultrasound cavitation was measured with and without nanoparticles. Significant viscosity reduction was obtained, showing best results at 90 minutes of ultrasound exposure time with a nanoparticle dosage of 2000 mg/L, leading to a viscosity reduction at 10 s-1 and 25°C, and an asphaltene content reduction of 44 and 16%, respectively.