THE EFFECTS OF METALLIC CATALYSTS ON LIGHT-CRUDE-OIL OXIDATION

Experiments were performed to study the effects of various metallic sa lts on the oxidation kinetics of a light Australian crude oil. Aqueous solutions of eleven metallic salts were mixed with quartz sand and an 824 kg/m(3) (40.2 degrees API) crude oil. The mixtures were then subj ected to a controlled heating schedule under a constant flowrate of ai r. The produced gas was continuously analysed for its oxygen and carbo n oxides contents. The experimental results showed that a plot of oxyg en consumed versus temperature contained from two to five peaks depend ing on the salt present. This range of behaviour is substantially diff erent from that observed for heavy oils. The crude-oil-oxidation react ions were classified into three broad groups depending on the ratio of carbon oxides produced to oxygen consumed. Sodium, copper and iron en hanced the fuel combustion reactions while lithium, magnesium and coba lt reduced the amount of fuel available.