1-2-1 Recovery of lighter fuel from heavy oil using TiO_2-ZrO_2 based catalyst under superheated water vapor atmosphere

Abstract

From the perspective of diversification of energy resources, it has been required to develop a new technology to convert unused fossil resources into useful fuels. We have developed mixed metal oxide catalysts and conducted an upgrading of atmospheric residue (AR) under superheated steam using the catalyst. Moreover, we have found that TiO_2-ZrO_2 based catalysts exhibits an acidic cracking activity to decompose for heavy oil under superheated steam atmosphere. In this study, effect of the catalyst compositions on the decomposition activity was examined. Nb_2O_5, Al_2O_3, and CeO_2 were used as third catalytic components to TiO_2-ZrO_2. The TiO_2-ZrO_2-CeO_2 catalyst with the composition of Ti : Zr : Ce = 48 : 48 : 4 exhibited the high and stable activity. Furthermore, the coke formation on the catalyst was successfully suppressed, leading to the stable catalyst activity.