An-Najah Staff

In this study, ultradispersed colloidal particles of iron oxide/hydroxide were prepared in-situ in heavy oil matrices adopting (w/o) microemulsion approach for nanoparticle preparation detailed in our previous work [1–3]. The effect of composition of heavy oil on the stable concentration of colloidal particles, particle uptake, was investigated. The following trends in particle uptake were common between the (w/o) microemulsions and the heavy oil matrices. An optimum water content was found for which a maximum particle uptake was attained. Particle uptake increased as the content of vacuum residue, VR, and precursor salt concentration increased. Vacuum residue contributes high asphaltene content, which acts as a surface active agent. The iron oxide/hydroxide particles had been recently shown to effectively remove H₂S_(g) from oil phase [4]. H₂S_(g) is a hazardous by-product of heavy oil recovering and upgrading which should be removed as soon as it forms. Results pertaining to H₂S_(g) removal from heavy oil employing ultradispersed particles are communicated in Part II of this study.