Effect of pressure, O/ostoich ratio and temperature on the partial oxidation of heavy oil model compound phenanthrene

An increasing world energy demand and the proportions of heavy oil reserves relative to lighter and more valuable feedstocks have enabled the development of new emerging research fields. A novel method to upgrade heavy oil through partial oxidation in supercritical water (SCW) is being developed in the research group. This method takes advantage of the properties of SCW (T=374°C, P=220 bar and δ=0.32 g/ml and above), in which water changes from a good solvent for polar to non-polar species. At these conditions a change in the ion product, in the viscosity and a decrease in the dielectric constant are observed [1]. Studies with model compounds representing chemical structures found in heavy oils give relevant information about the reactivity in the medium and the reaction mechanisms occurring in the system. Reactions with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been studied in the presence and absence of an oxidizer [2, 3]. The aim of this work is to investigate and get an understanding about the effect of process conditions pressure, temperature and O/O_stoich ratio in the yield and selectivity to different reaction products of the partial oxidation of heavy oil model compound phenanthrene at near and supercritical water conditions.