LAUSR

In situ upgrading technology (ISUT) is a patented process based on the use of hydroprocessing with ultradispersed catalyst (UDC) for in-reservoir upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen to reach transportability specifications. The properties of the UDC play a crucial role in the performance of the process. The focus of this work was to study the effects of different operating variables during the catalyst synthesis (such as type of mixer, stirring speed, sulfiding agent, and catalyst formulation) on the particle size in a customized experimental setup built for this purpose. Additionally, the effect of the sulfiding agents on the composition of the active phases present in the catalyst surface was investigated. It was possible to synthesize catalysts with nanometric dimensions, and the variables with significant effects on the particle size were found to be the type of mixer and the sulfiding agent. Nanometric scale was reached using ammonium sulfide and high-shear mixing. Moreover, advantages to the use of t...