Heavy metals present in oil represent a complex problem for downstream processing into finished products. A more economical process than those commercially available is desired. In recent years, it has been shown that natural zeolites can remove heavy metals and nitrogen from bitumen during catalytic cracking reactions. In this study, by using octaetylporphyrins (nickel and vanadyl) as model compounds, an insight on the way the metals are removed is given. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the vanadium removal was quantified. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows evidence of porphyrin adsorption and demetallization. The effect of different types of surface acidity on the zeolite and water addition to the reaction mixture was also studied. The reaction path seemed to be unaltered regardless of the acidity type and water addition; however, both parameters seem to have influence in the amount of heavy metals removed from solution.

Heavy metals removal from bitumen using natural zeolites and porphyrin as model compound

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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