Catalytic Redox Transformations in Rock Matrices

Abstract

The properties of catalytic systems based on iron oxide and inorganic matrices of oil-bearing rocks (basalt, clay, sandstone) in the decomposition of ammonium nitrate, oxidation of methane, and hydrocracking of asphaltenes were studied. The catalytic systems were iron oxide (hematite with a particle size of D = 11.0–20 nm, preparation temperature 453–473 K) fixed on matrices during co-hydrolysis of carbamide and iron chloride under hydrothermal conditions at temperatures of T = 433–473 K and pressures of 0.6–1.6 MPa. The iron oxide catalysts based on basalt and clay were most active in deep oxidation of methane (at 773 K, \({X_{C{H_4}}}\) = 83% and 72.9%, respectively); the Fe₂O₃/basalt and Fe₂O₃/sandstone systems were more active in the decomposition of ammonium nitrate. In hydrocracking of asphaltenes to maltenes, the catalyst activity decreased in the series Fe₂O₃/basalt > Fe₂O₃/clay > Fe₂O₃/sandstone, the iron oxide catalysts on clay being most selective. The obtained experimental data confirm that natural materials (oil-bearing rocks: basalt, clay, and sandstone) may be used for the development of catalytic systems for reactions in oil beds and of advanced technologies for increasing the oil recovery.