Thermal Conversion of Heavy Crude Oil in the Presence of Formic Acid as a Hydrogen-donor Solvent

Abstract

Abstract In this study, thermal conversion experiments of heavy oil using steam and formic acid as a hydrogen donor were carried out in a batch reactor at T = 380 °C and P = 165 bar. Material balance and products distribution were calculated after the experiments. Properties of crude oil before and after thermal conversion were analyzed including: viscosity, API gravity, SARA and elemental analysis measurements. It was shown, that application of formic acid as a hydrogen-donor solvent leads to the reduction of coke and gaseous products formation and to the increase of liquid products yield. In addition, the viscosity of upgraded oil was decreased by 23.2% due to addition of formic acid in comparison with thermal conversion without the hydrogen-donor solvent.