Development of the upgrading process of heavy oil in supercritical water

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We have developed the new heavy oil upgrading system in supercritical water. In supercritical water, partial oxidation provides effective CO formation, which leads to water gas shift reaction. The hydrogenation of heavy compounds and hydrodesufurization can be expected in partial oxidation without expensive hydrogen or catalyst.We chose the asphalt as a heavy oil model compounds. Supercritical water and supercritical water partial oxidation treatments were applied to the reforming of asphalt. Asphalt was converted at 613 - 673 K, 0 - 0.5 g/cm^3 of water density under argon or air atmosphere. The increase of temperature enhanced the conversion of heavy oils. Under an argon atmosphere and 0.5 g/cm^3 of water density, the asphaltene conversion increased and the sulfur reduction increased with increasing temperature. At 673 K, the asphaltene conversion increased and the yield of CO_2 increased with an increasing water density. Water apparently participated in the reaction and its hydrogen was used for the formation of maltenes. Under an air atmosphere at 673 K, asphaltene conversion was lower but the sulfur reduction was higher than those obtained in argon atmosphere. Experimental results indicate that sulfur moved into the coke.As a result, supercritical water can be an effective solvent for heavy oil conversion. Supercritical water partial oxidation can provide the reaction atmosphere for desulfurization of heavy oils.