On the Reactions of Cyclohexyl Phenyl Sulfide with Water by Means of Density Functional Theory

摘要

The production of heavy oil is increasing in coming years due to short fall of conventionai light crude. However, extremely high viscosity and abundant amount of heteroatoms (S, O and N) in the structure of heavy oil molecules are one of the main challenges in their exploitation, transportation and processing. Aquathermolysis are often proposed as a method to reduce the viscosity and improve the rheological properties of heavy oils. Aquathermolysis is a reaction of heated water with hydrocarbons molecules in the absence of oxygen. In the present work we have considered different reactions of cyclohexyl phenyl sulfide molecule with water as a very particular model for aquathermolysis process by means of density functional methods. Obtained tendencies in reaction pathways are coherent with previous experimental results. Thus, ab initio methods demonstrated applicability for comparative studies of chemical reaction pathways in aquathermolysis and could be used for the further screening of possible catalysts for this process.