On a Probable Catalytic Interaction between Magnetite (Fe3O4) and Petroleum
- Publication date
- Publisher
- Energy & Fuels
Abstract
Magnetic and nonmagnetic iron compounds were detected as part of asphaltene deposits formed on tubing
wall surface. To shed light on the probable role of the iron compounds in the formation of such deposits,
magnetite (Fe3O4), one of the intrinsic components of the iron oxide multilayer scale of any carbon steel
surface, was contacted with crude oil at 170 °C, a temperature similar to that of the bottom well, and subsequently
aged at room temperature. Characterization of the samples was made by using XRD, Mo¨ssbauer, IR, TGA,
EDS, and microscopic (SEM and TEM) techniques. Small amounts of new iron phases, magnetic (oxidized
magnetite) and nonmagnetic (iron oxyhydroxides), an increase in the content of CdC and C-O bonds of the
organic phase, and an increase of the thermal stability of the organic phase indicated the formation of iron
complexes of Fe ions and FeOOH with the oxygen functionalities