Thermal upgrading of Athabasca bitumen in porous media: Limitations and kinetic modelling

摘要: Abstract Technologies merging enhanced oil recovery with in situ upgrading can significantly increase the economic and environmental efficiency of unconventional exploitation. This work targets understanding effects thermal processing a porous medium at moderate temperatures (340–370 °C) residence time between 12 48 h for Athabasca bitumen. The main limitation via cracking reservoir is formation coke precursors. Vacuum residue (VR) conversions above 32% fail to produce stable product. Below VR conversion transporting properties are just slightly improved. Product viscosity reduced by 1–2 orders magnitude, while improvement other achieved such as 3 points API gravity when product limit 7–23% reduction sulfur content. Additionally, precursors retained sand matrix, analyzed Microcarbon testing sand. retention may cause damage media, thus limiting applicability an process. presence media increases apparent reaction order Residue second reaction. A five lump kinetic model seven reactions was successfully used predict distribution overall error 7% excellent correlation Arrhenius law. Obtained activation energies range 100–250 kJ/mol.