Synthesis of NixFe3-xO4 Nanoparticles by Microwave-Assisted Coprecipitation and their Application in Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Oil

NixFe3-xO4 nanoparticles have been synthesized using microwave-assisted coprecipitation. Samples were prepared by using FeCl3•6H2O, FeSO4•7H2O, NiCl2•6H2O, and NH4OH as precursors. Concentrated black precipitates were produced after samples were heated in microwave 500 W 2.45 GHz for 3 minutes. According to X-Ray diffractogram, it was indicated that the NixFe3-xO4 was obtained. According to Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterization, it was shown that Ni0.3Fe2.7O4 nanoparticles have spherical morphology and average particle size about 43 nm. In this research, NixFe3-xO4 nanoparticles were applied as catalyst in the reduction of heavy oil via aquathermolysis. In catalytic activity test, Fe3O4 and Ni0.3Fe2.7O4 nanoparticles were added respectively to the mixture of water and heavy oil in autoclave on temperature 120°C for 6 hours. Experimental result showed that the viscosity of heavy oil reduced 30% and 17% when Fe3O4 and Ni0.3Fe2.7O4 powders were added in aquathermolysis reaction, respectively.

Ethylene Glycol Route Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles as a Catalyst in Aquathermolysis

NiO nanoparticles have been synthesized as catalyst in aquathermolysis for viscosity reduction of heavy oil. NiO nanoparticles were prepared by using NiCl2•6H2O as raw material via ethylene glycol route. In the process, NH4HCO3and ethylene glycol were used as reductant and to prevent nanoparticles from agglomeration, respectively. The obtained NiO nanoparticles have crystallite size about 15.4 nm, nearly uniform particles size, well dispersion with diameter around 65 nm, spherical morphology, and the spesific surface area 158.4 m2/gram. In a catalytic activity test, it showed that the viscosity of heavy oil could be reduced up to 22% when NiO nanoparticles were added in aquathermolysis reaction. This result confirmed that NiO nanoparticles have good catalytic properties in the viscosity reduction of heavy oil.

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY TEST OF Ni-Mo/NATURAL ZEOLITE ON PYRIDINE HYDRODENITROGENATION

Preparation, characterization, and catalytic activity test of Ni-Mo/natural zeolite on pyridine hydrodenitrogenation were carried out. Preparation of catalyst was conducted by impregnation method using nickel nitrate hexahydrate and ammonium heptamolibdate precursor as Ni and Mo source respectively. Characterization of catalyst was conducted by using gravimetry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and X-ray diffraction method. Catalytic activity test on pyridine hydrodenitrogenation was carried out by using flow system reactor with hydrogen flow rate variable. The research results showed that the catalyst's total acidity and crystallinity are increased with level of impregnation success of 96.71% and 90.08% respectively. Ni-Mo/natural zeolites able to increase the catalytic conversion up to 71.78% at 350 °C and hydrogen flow rate of 10 mL/min with more highly varied product distribution. Assuming that the pyridine hydrodenitrogenation follows the pseudo first order kinetics.

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY TEST OF CoMo/ZnO CATALYST ON ETHANOL CONVERSION USING STEAM REFORMING METHOD

Preparation, characterization and catalytic activity test of CoMo/ZnO catalyst for steam reforming of ethanol have been investigated. The catalysts preparation was carried out by impregnation of Co and/or Mo onto ZnO sample. Water excess was used in ethanol feed for steam reforming process under mol ratio of ethanol:water (1:10). Characterizations of catalysts were conducted by analysis of metal content using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Determination of catalysts acidity was conducted by gravimetric method of adsorption of pyridine base. Catalytic activity test on ethanol conversion using steam reforming method was conducted in a semi-flow reactor system, at a temperature of 400 oC, for 1.5 h under N2 flow rate of 10 mL/min. Gas product was analyzed by gas chromatograph with TCD system. The results of catalysts characterizations showed that the impregnation of Co and/or Mo metals on ZnO sample increased its acidity and specific surface area. The content of Co in Co/ZnO and CoMo/ZnO catalysts was 1.14 and 0.49 wt%. The Mo content in CoMo/ZnO catalyst was 0.36 wt%. The catalytic activity test result on ethanol conversion showed that the ZnO, Co/ZnO, and CoMo/ZnO catalysts produced gas fraction of 16.73, 28.53, and 35.53 wt%, respectively. The coke production of ZnO, Co/ZnO, and CoMo/ZnO catalysts was 0.86, 0.24, and 0.08 wt%, respectively. The gas products consisted mainly of hydrogen. Keywords: CoMo/ZnO catalyst, steam reforming, ethanol

EFFECT OF IMPREGNATION PROCEDURE OF Pt/γ-Al2O3 CATALYSTS UPON CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF CO

The oxidation of carbon monoxide by oxygen using two catalysts prepared by two different methods has been investigated. In the first method, catalyst prepared by immersing γ-Al2O3 into the hexa-chloroplatinic acid solution at 80oC for 4 h, resulted Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst having platinum highly dispersed on the support. While that of immersing γ-Al2O3 in the hexa-chloroplatinic acid solution at room temperature for 12 h, produced Pt/ γ-Al2O3 catalyst where platinum dispersion was much lower. Catalytic activity test showed that platinum well dispersed on the support enhanced the activity of oxidation of carbon monoxide. The platinum impregnated at room temperature resulted in the poor activity. Keyword: Catalyst, CO Oxidation, Platinum.