The effect of metallic additives on the kinetics of oil oxidation reactions in in-situ combustion

In-situ combustion is a process whose applicability is partly determined by the combustion characteristics of the specific crude oil in question. These characteristics are directly influenced by the rate of oxidation reactions occurring in the rock matrix ahead of the combustion front. A method is therefore sought by which these characteristics may be altered within a reservoir, thus making the process feasible for a wider variety of crude oils. The presence of catalysts may have a significant influence on the reactions. The effects of catalyzing agents on the kinetics of these reactions were therefore studied to gain a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved in the catalysis of crude oil oxidation. Experiments were conducted wherein samples of a Huntington Beach oil/sand mixture were subjected to a continuous flow of air and a linear heating schedule. The effects of differing operating pressure and ten different metallic additives were examined in an experimental program of sixteen runs. 20 refs., 55 figs., 8 tabs.