Role of Model Compounds in Advancing Aquathermolysis-Based Technologies for Heavy Oil Upgrading

Alexis Tirado

doi:10.62762/JCERF.2025.239270

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Volume 2, Issue 1, Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026

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Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026: 23-27

Open Access | Perspective | 09 December 2025

Role of Model Compounds in Advancing Aquathermolysis-Based Technologies for Heavy Oil Upgrading

Alexis Tirado 1,2 *

1 Tecnológico Nacional de México/IT de Los Mochis, Los Mochis, Sinaloa 81259, México

2 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia

* Corresponding Author: Alexis Tirado, [email protected]

DOI: 10.62762/JCERF.2025.239270

Received: 10 July 2025, Accepted: 11 August 2025, Published: 09 December 2025

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Abstract

Using model compounds to study the aquathermolysis reaction mechanism has been a cornerstone in understanding the complex chemistry underlying in-reservoir upgrading of unconventional oil resources, including oil shale, bitumen, and heavy and extra-heavy crude oils. These compounds, often selected to represent key structural features such as alkyl or polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatom-containing molecules, act as simplified analogs of the chemically complex constituents present in real oil systems. Their use in controlled experimental setups enables the isolation and analysis of specific reaction pathways, providing mechanistic insights that are difficult to extract from real oil resources due to their compositional heterogeneity. This strategy has played a crucial role in advancing heavy oil upgrading technologies, particularly by enhancing the understanding of water-oil interactions, reaction mechanisms, and the impact of various catalyst systems under aquathermolysis conditions. However, several challenges remain in achieving a complete comprehension of the reaction mechanism that could lead to a considerable increase in the efficiency of steam injection technologies and the upgrading of unconventional oil reserves through the development of novel strategies and technologies, such as specialized catalysts for the hydrogenation and heteroatom removal of these complex oil systems.

Keywords

aquathermolysis

model compounds

heavy oil upgrading

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Funding

This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation under Grant 21-73-30023 (extension) dated 22.05.2025, https://rscf.ru/project/21-73-30023/.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

References

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Tirado, A. (2025). Role of Model Compounds in Advancing Aquathermolysis-Based Technologies for Heavy Oil Upgrading. Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels, 2(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.62762/JCERF.2025.239270

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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Tirado, Alexis
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/09
TI  - Role of Model Compounds in Advancing Aquathermolysis-Based Technologies for Heavy Oil Upgrading
JO  - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels
T2  - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels
JF  - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 23
EP  - 27
DO  - 10.62762/JCERF.2025.239270
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JCERF.2025.239270
KW  - aquathermolysis
KW  - model compounds
KW  - heavy oil upgrading
AB  - Using model compounds to study the aquathermolysis reaction mechanism has been a cornerstone in understanding the complex chemistry underlying in-reservoir upgrading of unconventional oil resources, including oil shale, bitumen, and heavy and extra-heavy crude oils. These compounds, often selected to represent key structural features such as alkyl or polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatom-containing molecules, act as simplified analogs of the chemically complex constituents present in real oil systems. Their use in controlled experimental setups enables the isolation and analysis of specific reaction pathways, providing mechanistic insights that are difficult to extract from real oil resources due to their compositional heterogeneity. This strategy has played a crucial role in advancing heavy oil upgrading technologies, particularly by enhancing the understanding of water-oil interactions, reaction mechanisms, and the impact of various catalyst systems under aquathermolysis conditions. However, several challenges remain in achieving a complete comprehension of the reaction mechanism that could lead to a considerable increase in the efficiency of steam injection technologies and the upgrading of unconventional oil reserves through the development of novel strategies and technologies, such as specialized catalysts for the hydrogenation and heteroatom removal of these complex oil systems.
SN  - 3070-1058
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  -

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@article{Tirado2025Role,
  author = {Alexis Tirado},
  title = {Role of Model Compounds in Advancing Aquathermolysis-Based Technologies for Heavy Oil Upgrading},
  journal = {Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels},
  year = {2025},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {23-27},
  doi = {10.62762/JCERF.2025.239270},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JCERF.2025.239270},
  abstract = {Using model compounds to study the aquathermolysis reaction mechanism has been a cornerstone in understanding the complex chemistry underlying in-reservoir upgrading of unconventional oil resources, including oil shale, bitumen, and heavy and extra-heavy crude oils. These compounds, often selected to represent key structural features such as alkyl or polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatom-containing molecules, act as simplified analogs of the chemically complex constituents present in real oil systems. Their use in controlled experimental setups enables the isolation and analysis of specific reaction pathways, providing mechanistic insights that are difficult to extract from real oil resources due to their compositional heterogeneity. This strategy has played a crucial role in advancing heavy oil upgrading technologies, particularly by enhancing the understanding of water-oil interactions, reaction mechanisms, and the impact of various catalyst systems under aquathermolysis conditions. However, several challenges remain in achieving a complete comprehension of the reaction mechanism that could lead to a considerable increase in the efficiency of steam injection technologies and the upgrading of unconventional oil reserves through the development of novel strategies and technologies, such as specialized catalysts for the hydrogenation and heteroatom removal of these complex oil systems.},
  keywords = {aquathermolysis, model compounds, heavy oil upgrading},
  issn = {3070-1058},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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