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Asphaltene biotransformation for heavy oil upgradation.
Arif Nissar Zargar1,2,3, Ankur Kumar1, Anurag Sinha1
1Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India.
AMB Express
|September 7, 2021
Summary
A novel microbial consortium effectively biotransformed heavy oil asphaltenes, significantly reducing viscosity. This breakthrough offers a sustainable solution for heavy crude oil upgrading, utilizing abundant but underused resources.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Petroleum Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Heavy crude oil reserves are abundant but underutilized due to high viscosity and density caused by asphaltenes.
- Biotransformation of asphaltenes into smaller metabolites can reduce heavy oil viscosity.
- Few microorganisms capable of asphaltene biodegradation have been characterized for biotransformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a microbial consortium for heavy oil asphaltene biotransformation.
- To evaluate the efficiency of the microbial consortium in reducing heavy oil viscosity.
- To demonstrate the potential for biological upgrading of heavy crude oil.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a 9-membered microbial consortium from oil-contaminated soil.
- Asphaltene biotransformation assays at shake flask and bioreactor levels.
- Characterization of asphaltene structure and biotransformation products using LC-MS, NMR, FT-IR, ICPMS, and elemental analysis (CHNS).
Main Results:
- Achieved 72% and 75% asphaltene biotransformation in shake flasks and a 1.5 L bioreactor, respectively.
- Biotransformation led to an 80% decrease in sulfur and nitrogen content and oxygen incorporation into the asphaltene structure.
- Demonstrated a 91% decrease in Maya crude oil viscosity after two weeks of treatment with the microbial consortium.
Conclusions:
- The isolated microbial consortium is highly effective in asphaltene biotransformation.
- This microbial consortium shows significant potential for the biological upgrading of heavy crude oil.
- This study reports the highest asphaltene biotransformation achieved by a microbial consortium to date.
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