Catalytic Conversion of Tatarstan Heavy Oil using Copper Based Catalysts at 250 °C

In this work, the in-situ upgrading of heavy oil from Tatarstan oilfield using steam and copper stearate as a catalyst at 250 °C and 35 bar for 24 hours was studied in stainless-steel reactor. Changes in the density/API gravity, viscosity, chemical composition (SARA-analysis), elemental composition and structure (FTIR-spectroscopy) of heavy oil before and after conversion were determined. Generally, we can summarize, that the content of resins and asphaltenes as well as the average molecular weight of heavy oil were reduced after conversion process. Whereas, amount of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons was increased due to the destruction of its high molecular weight components. Also, irreversible decrease of viscosity was fixed.