Mechanism of the Effect of Alternating Electromagnetic Field on Petroleum Dispersed Systems

Resumo

The effect of an electromagnetic field on the composition of petroleum feedstock is discovered, and an increase in the yield of light fractions during its cracking is observed. It is supposed that the reason behind this phenomenon is the heating of Fe₃O₄ colloidal particles contained in the feedstock; heating facilitates refining of their surface and intensifies their catalytic behavior. An equation is suggested for estimating the rate of heating of Fe₃O₄ particles owing to viscous friction provided by oscillatory motions in the electromagnetic field.