LAUSR

Abstract The present study discusses the structural changes of Tahe crude oil components which were treated with acoustic cavitation catalyzed by nickel oleate. In these studies, rheological analysis, SARA analysis, FTIR quantitative analysis and gas chromatography were applied. The results reveal that cavitation effect can damage the wax crystal structure in crude oil, resulting in viscosity reduction. With cavitation treatment, the asphaltene molecules become polymerized and the length of the branched chain becomes shorter. Meanwhile, long-chain alkanes are broken into relatively short alkanes. Nickel-based catalyst dissolves in the crude oil to provide more active sites and promotes the polymerization and chain-broken reaction. Moreover, addition of nickel oleate can inhibit the absorption of light components by resin and increase the amount of light components, thereby enhancing the viscosity reducing effect.