Evaluation of the aquathermolysis catalyst effect on the composition and properties of high-viscosity oil from the Strelovskoe field

The article examines the aquathermolysis process of high viscosity oil from Strelovskoe field developed by RITEK LLC using steam injection. Laboratory modeling of non-catalytic and catalytic aquathermolysis in a high-pressure reactor was performed. Laboratory tests have demonstrated the high efficiency of the iron-based oil-soluble catalyst developed at Kazan Federal University in the destruction reactions of resinous asphaltenes. Samples of the initial oil as well as products of non-catalytic and catalytic aquathermolysis in the presence of iron tallate and the solvent Asphalt-Resin-Paraffin Deposits were studied at temperatures of 200, 250 and 300°C for 24 hours. In addition, the gas composition of the oil aquathermolysis products and the viscosity-temperature characteristics of the oil samples were determined. The studies have shown that catalytic aquathermolysis has a significant effect on the changes in the composition and properties of oil from the Strelovskoe field. It was found that the presence of a catalyst contributes to decarboxylation reactions, increases the degree of desulfurization and decreases the viscosity of oil samples. Keywords: high-viscosity oil; aquathermolysis; catalyst precursor; steam thermal treatment; viscosity.

1H NMR Analysis of the Metathesis Reaction between 1-Hexene and (E)-Anethole Using Grubbs 2nd Generation Catalyst: Effect of Reaction Conditions on (E)-1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene Formation and Decomposition

The metathesis of 1-hexene and (E)-anethole in the presence of Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst was monitored by in situ 1H NMR spectroscopy at different temperatures (15 °C, 25 °C, and 45 °C) and anethole mol fractions (XAnethole ≈ 0.17, 0.29, 0.5, 0.71, 0.83). Time traces confirmed the instantaneous formation of (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene, the cross-metathesis product. A maximum concentration of (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene is reached fairly fast (the time depending on the reaction conditions), and this is followed by a decrease in the concentration of (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene due to secondary metathesis. The maximum concentration of (E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-hexene was more dependent on the XAnethole than the temperature. The highest TOF (3.46 min−1) was obtained for the reaction where XAnethole was 0.16 at 45 °C. The highest concentration of the cross-metathesis product was however achieved after 6 min with an anethole mol fraction of 0.84 at 25 °C. A preliminary kinetic study indicated that the secondary metathesis reaction followed first order kinetics.