NiO based catalysts obtained in-situ for heavy crude oil upgrading: effect of NiO precursor on the catalytic cracking products composition

Background: Heavy and super-heavy oils are characterized by a high content of resins and asphaltenes, which complicate the transportation and refining of oil and lead to an increase in the cost of refinery products. Currently, of particular interest are catalysts that are formed directly under the conditions of the process from precursors, which are various salts. Methods: In this work influence of NiO precursor on the heavy oil catalytic cracking products composition. The upgrading in all experiments was carried out at a temperature 450 degrees C for 80 min. The optimal catalyst content calculated to the NiO in experiments 2 and 3 was 0.5 wt. % of the feedstock weight. The ratio salt:ethanol in experiment 3 was 1:1 wt. The products of catalytic cracking were analyzed by SARA, GC, XRD and FTIR spectrometry. Findings: The dissolution of Ni(NO3)2.6H2O in ethanol results in a decrease in the content of high molecular weight components and an increase in the yield of the fraction boiling up to 360 degrees C. A decrease of sulfur content in the course of heavy oil cracking is caused by both interactions of NiO formed over cracking with S-containing compounds of feedstock leading to formation of Ni9S8 and Ni0.96S and sulfur removal in form of gas. (c) 2021 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study shows that the NiO precursor in heavy oil catalytic cracking can affect the composition of products, reduce the content of high molecular weight components, increase the yield of fractions, and decrease sulfur content.