CATALYTIC PROCESSING OF NATURAL BITUMEN FROM BITUMINOUS SANDS

Abstract

Introduction. Bituminous sands deposits are a very rich source of energy in bitumen. However, access to the main part of these reserves is difficult, and the conversion of bitumen into liquid, low-sulfur products require innovative solutions, since the properties of traditional oil and bitumen are significantly different. Methods. To obtain the necessary products from bituminous sands, it is first necessary to separate organic part from the bituminous sands, and only then it can be further processed. Currently, industrial bitumen production in Canada is carried out using mining technology. In this regard, Kazakhstan needs to develop domestic technology in accordance with its West Kazakhstan conditions and domestic demand. Results and discussion. High-temperature cracking processes of West Kazakhstan natural bitumens in the presence of mesoporous aluminosilicate, synthetic zeolite and natural zeolite catalysts have been studied. The catalysts lead to the formation of liquid products up to 92.2%, reducing the number of tar-asphaltene compounds from 52.4% to 16.3%. Conclusion. Natural bitumen from the Beke and Munaily Mola fields is classified as heavy oil and consists mainly n-alkanes, terpanes, and steranes. A mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst enabled efficient catalytic cracking, giving up to 89% liquid products and increasing oil and light fraction yields. High activity is attributed to the large pore size. Cracking destroys aliphatic and polynaphthenic structures in asphaltenes, increases aromaticity, and reduces oxygen-containing compounds, while resins show increased aromaticity due to the breakdown of naphthenic rings and alkyl groups.