Catalytic In‐Situ Upgrading of Heavy and Extra‐Heavy Crude Oils. Chapter 7: Catalytic mechanism and kinetics

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the analysis of the different kinetic models reported in the literature for the in situ and ex situ upgrading of heavy and extra‐heavy crude oils using dispersed phase catalysts in a hydrogen and steam atmosphere. Hydrocracking reactions can be carried out by different mechanisms depending on the catalyst type: In the absence of a catalyst, hydropyrolysis reactions can be achieved at high pressures and temperatures. The information reported in the literature on kinetic models for hydrocracking of heavy fractions for in situ and ex situ applications includes the operating conditions, the type of feedstock and catalyst used to obtain the experimental data, the reactions schemes, and the lumps employed in each kinetic model. Currently, there are three main types of approaches to kinetic modeling: discrete lumps, continuous mixture, and single events.