Thermocatalytic in situ combustion: Influence of nanoparticles on crude oil pyrolysis and oxidation

From the results of this study a dual catalytic/surface area effect of NP on crude oil pyrolysis and oxidation reactions can be pointed out. NP increase the amount of the fuel that is formed during low temperature oxidation reactions and also pyrolysis of crude oil compounds. NP also catalyze the high temperature combustion reactions by lowering the activation energies. Therefore by increasing the amount of fuel deposited, NP improves the stability and propagation of the combustion front of medium and also lighter crude oils.