Clean aquathermolysis of heavy oil catalyzed by Fe(III) complex at relatively low temperature

In order to develop a clean catalyst for aquathermolysis of heavy oil at relatively low temperature, a series of water-soluble Fe(III) complexes were prepared as the catalysts for the catalytic aquathermolysis of heavy oil. Under the optimized condition, the adding amount of Fe-3 (a complex of Fe(III) and citrate) is 0.1%, the reaction temperature is 180 degrees C, and the reaction time is 24h, the heavy oil viscosity reduction ratio reaches to 80.1% (40 degrees C). Results of the composition analysis show that the contents of resin and asphaltene decrease and the saturated hydrocarbon and aromatic increase. GC analysis shows that the light components increase remarkably after the aquathermolysis.