Development of Catalyst for Reducing the Viscosity of Heavy Oil

Enhanced Oil Recovery is a method to explore unconventional oil that consists of hydrocarbon and some heavy oil. The use of a nanocatalyst is interesting because it can recover the heavy oil. By reducing its viscosity, the heavy oil can be transported easily from underground. We have developed a NiO, αFe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, and NaX Zeolite nanocatalyst to enhance the recovery of oil. By adding it into the aquathermolysis of heavy oil, it can reduce the viscosity by up to 80% and increase the H/C ratio within short time. It also breaks the long chain of hydrocarbons and makes it easier to transport the oil.

Recent Publications :

1. Development of faujasite-type zeolite and iron oxide as mixed catalyst for aquathermolysis reaction of heavy oil, Materials Research Express 6(2),026206 (2019)

2. Preliminary study of the effect microwave-heating on the morphology and surface area of NaX zeolite, Material Science Forum, 895 MSF, (2017)