Synthesis and thermal analysis of hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles for improving in-situ combustion efficiency of heavy oils

Abstract Hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for the oil reservoir application. Their suspensions in crude oils were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, and kinetic model of different oxidation steps was obtained by a modified dynamic activation energy model. Results showed that NPs catalyzed initial oxygenation reactions, upgrading efficiency of cracking step, and speeded up the propagation of the combustion front. Hence, their dispersion near wellbore could increase quality of the produced oil, fuel availability, and propagation rate of the combustion front, by reducing plugging risk of pore throats and deactivation risk of fixed bed catalysts.