Canada has a large reserve of bitumen, but the utilization of these resources faces challenges of high cost and strict environmental regulations. Recovery of the viscous bitumen with steam produces water containing bitumen emulsion. A novel one-step emulsion upgrading process was applied in the upgrading of light gas oil (LGO) derived from a bitumen emulsion. Water in the emulsion was activated through water gas shift reaction (WGSR), producing in situ H2 for oil upgrading. Highly active nano dispersed catalyst was produced during the reaction from a Mo precursor. The role of metal ions on the upgrading of a LGO emulsion was investigated. Ni was the best promoter for both WGSR and HDS. V and K inhibited HDS although they promoted WGSR. Fe showed no significant effect on either WGSR or HDS. The effect of reaction parameters such as water content, syngas composition and reaction temperature will be discussed.

Light gas oil upgrading over nano-dispersed molybdenum sulfide based catalysts through water gas shift reaction

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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