Patent ID: 9169448
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: B01J,C10C,C10G

Abstract:
1. A method for upgrading a heavy oil, the method comprising: disposing a catalyst comprising rhodium and a support in a heavy oil environment, the heavy oil environment including a heavy oil comprising an aromatic compound; introducing hydrogen; and hydrogenating the aromatic compound with the catalyst and hydrogen to upgrade the heavy oil to provide an upgraded oil; wherein the rhodium comprises rhodium nanoparticles supported on the support; and wherein the support comprises hydroxyapatite, fluoroapatite, chloroapatite, bromoapatite, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein the aromatic compound is asphaltene; and wherein the method further comprises adjusting a temperature, pressure, and pH of the heavy oil environment to exfoliate particles of the aromatic compound in response to hydrogenating the aromatic compound.