A review on the role of hydrogen donors in upgrading heavy oil and bitumen

Abstract

The significant aspects in the downhole catalytic cracking upgrading and viscosity reduction of heavy oil are to develop industrial hydrogen donors with a strong hydrogen supply effect, abundant sources, reasonable price, and environmentally friendly nature. Herein, we analyze the mechanism of hydrogen donors in catalytic cracking, upgrading and viscosity reduction of heavy oil and review the ideas reported by domestic and foreign researchers and the results on catalytic cracking, upgrading and viscosity reduction of heavy oil using hydrogen donors. In particular, we introduce inorganic hydrogen donors and organic hydrogen donors and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. According to comprehensive analysis herein, it is proposed that the high aromatic hydrocarbon heavy oil fractions, isopropyl alcohol, and other alcohols are economical hydrogen donors. Thus, the combination of hydrogen donors and catalysts should be the focus in future research.