Kinetics of extra-heavy oil upgrading in supercritical water with and without zinc nitrate using the phase separation kinetic model

Kinetic study of upgrading extra-heavy oil in supercritical water conditions with and without a zinc nitrate precursor was investigated. Reactions were carried out at 653 K, 673 K, 693 K, and 713 K in a batch reactor. Kinetic parameters including reaction rate constants were calculated based on a phase separation kinetic (PSK) model. Compared to pyrolysis, the rate of maltene decomposition and solubility limits were significantly low. Addition of the zinc nitrate precursor changed the amount of volatile from reacted maltene and the amount of coke from excess asphaltene cores. Coke induction period where coke formation is suppressed was obtained. Maltene selectivity was calculated based on the amount of maltene and volatile and the highest maltene selectivity value was 6.96 at 693 K, without the zinc nitrate precursor. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.