Catalytic upgrading effect of in-situ mineral cuttings and synergetic hydrogen generation with additional Ni-Cr oxidants as co-catalysts

With the accelerating transition of the global energy structure toward low-carbon, cleaner development, the efficient and clean utilization of heavy oil resources with synergetic hydrogen economy has gradually attracted attentions. In this research, the catalytic upgrading process and synergetic hydrogen-enriched reactions are facilitated by in-situ minerals. On this basis, transition metal oxides of NiO and Cr₂O₃ were introduced as cocatalysts. The study systematically explored the influence of key operating parameters on hydrogen production performance, proposes a catalytic system suitable for reservoir environments, and provides a novel strategy for the co-production of upgraded heavy oil and hydrogen. Specifically, 7% (molar content) H₂ production in gas products was achieved with only minerals as catalysts, while 19% (molar content) H₂ production was achieved with synthesized NiO and Cr₂O₃ as cocatalysts. Further study indicates that Fe₂O₃ may be the main catalytically functional material in in-situ minerals. Due to the relatively low content of Fe₂O₃ on the mineral surface and coke deposition, the catalytic performance of the minerals was relatively limited. Further investigations revealed that Cr₂O₃ and NiO achieved high hydrogen production through both pathway synergy and functional synergy, thereby providing a reliable catalytic system for the co-production of upgraded oil and hydrogen.