Nanocatalysts for hydrocracking and methods of their use

Abstract

Novel catalysts comprising nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles, methods of their manufacture, heavy oil compositions contacted by these nanocatalysts and methods of their use are disclosed. The novel nanocatalysts are useful, inter alia, in the upgrading of heavy oil fractions or as aids in oil recovery from well reservoirs or downstream processing.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An upgraded heavy oil fraction prepared by a process comprising:
 contacting the heavy oil in a well producing heavy oil with a nanocatalyst for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the H/C ratio;   said nanocatalyst comprising:
 nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles; 
 wherein the alumina nanoparticle to nickel oxide nanoparticle weight to weight ratio in the catalyst is in a range of from about 99 to about 500; 
 wherein the particle size of the alumina nanoparticle is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 nanometers; 
 wherein the catalyst does not further comprise silver nanoparticles supported on the alumina nanoparticles; and 
 wherein the alumina nanoparticles are present in an amount of at least 99% by weight of catalyst. 
   
     
     
         2 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 1 , said catalyst further comprising nanoparticles of at least one Group VIIIB metal oxide supported on the alumina nanoparticles;
 wherein:
 the Group VIIIB metal is selected from the group consisting of Pd and Pt, or combination thereof; and 
 the alumina nanoparticle to Group VIIIB metal oxide nanoparticle weight to weight ratio in the catalyst is in a range of from about 99 to about 500. 
   
     
     
         3 . A catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 99 to about 400. 
     
     
         4 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 1 , wherein the nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles are present in an amount of about 0.2% to about 1% by weight of catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 4 , wherein the SBET surface area is from about 17 to about 70 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         6 . An upgraded heavy oil fraction prepared by a process comprising:
 contacting the heavy oil in a well producing heavy oil with a nanocatalyst for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the H/C ratio;   said nanocatalyst comprising:
 nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles; 
 wherein the alumina nanoparticle to nickel oxide nanoparticle weight to weight ratio in the catalyst is in a range of from about 99 to about 500; 
 wherein the particle size of the alumina nanoparticle is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 nanometers; 
 wherein the catalyst does not further comprise silver nanoparticles supported on the alumina nanoparticles; and 
 wherein the S BET  surface area is from about 17 to about 70 m 2 /g. 
   
     
     
         7 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 6 , said catalyst further comprising nanoparticles of at least one Group VIIIB metal oxide supported on the alumina nanoparticles;
 wherein:
 the Group VIIIB metal is selected from the group consisting of Pd and Pt, or combination thereof; and 
 the alumina nanoparticle to Group VIIIB metal oxide nanoparticle weight to weight ratio in the catalyst is in a range of from about 99 to about 500. 
   
     
     
         8 . A catalyst according to  claim 6 , wherein the ratio is in a range of from about 99 to about 400. 
     
     
         9 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 6 , wherein the nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles are present in an amount of about 0.2% to about 1% by weight of catalyst. 
     
     
         10 . A heavy oil fraction according to  claim 8 , wherein the SBET surface area is from about 17 to about 70 m 2 /g.