Experimental Study on Aquathermolysis of Different Viscosity Heavy Oil with Superheated Steam

In this work, a large number of experiments have been carried out to study the aquathermolysis of heavy oil of different viscosities with superheated steam. First, a high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave was independently designed to carry out an aquathermolysis reaction with superheated steam. Second, the viscosities of the heavy oil samples were measured before and after the aquathermolysis reaction by an MCR 302 rheometer. Finally, both the saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) content and the carbon number distribution of heavy oil samples before and after the aquathermolysis reaction were determined by chromatography. The experimental results show the following: (1) The higher the content of resins and asphaltenes, the longer is the reaction time for aquathermolysis equilibrium. (2) As for different viscosity oil samples, the starting temperature for aquathermolysis is different; however, the reaction temperature for aquathermolysis equilibrium is the same. (3) The cracking of resins is the main mechanism for the aquathermolysis of low-viscosity heavy oil. The cracking of resins is also the dominant mechanism for the aquathermolysis of medium-viscosity heavy oil, accompanied by the cracking of asphaltenes. The cracking of resins and asphaltenes is the primary mechanism for the aquathermolysis of high-viscosity heavy oil. (4) The cracking of long-chain hydrocarbons into short-chain hydrocarbons is the main mechanism of aquathermolysis.

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