Use of unsupported, mechanically alloyed NiWMoC nanocatalyst to reduce the viscosity of aquathermolysis reaction of heavy oil

• Nano metallic carbide catalysts were produced by mechanical alloying.
• The viscosity of a heavy oil was reduced from a reduction ratio of 80.4% to 97.1%.
• The best catalyst was produced after 240 h of milling.
• The rate of viscosity reduction results is supported by FT-IR spectra.
• Structural control of the catalyst is important for the aquathermolysis reaction.

Ni, W, Mo and C catalysts were mixed and mechanically processed at room temperature for different grinding times: 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 h. The phases at every stage of milling were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The powders were used in the catalytic aquathermolysis reaction of heavy oil. X-RD showed by increasing the milling time from 0 to 240 h, nanostructured carbide phases were synthesized with a crystallite size ranging from 125.6 to 10.1 nm, which was confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The performance of the nano-catalysts in the heavy oil before and after the reaction was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). As the milling time increased, the ratio of the viscosity reduction of the heavy oil increased from 80.4% to 97.1% by using the catalyst milled for 240 h.

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