Water-Soluble Fe(III) Complex Catalyzed Coupling Aquathermolysis of Water-Heavy Oil-Methanol

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study developed an aquathermolysis catalyst for the chemical transformation of high-viscosity oil. The impact of process conditions on the composition and properties of high-viscosity oil has been investigated. Considering the scientific contribution and quality of the present version, I support the acceptance by the Catalysts after Major revision. At the same time, while reading the article, a number of comments that need to be corrected arose:

1. In the experimental arrangement, the viscosity change of heavy oil is limited to the experimental results, and the in-depth discussion of the viscosity change of the final heavy oil is very simple, whether the results can be summarized after the overall discussion, and the change of the specific heavy oil component can be obtained, what is the mechanism of viscosity change?

 2. On page 6 you say that methanol can be a catalyst (“By utilizing methanol as a catalyst…”), explain what you meant, because the catalyst is usually not consumed during the process, methanol clearly dissolves in oil.

 3. What is the paraffin content in oil? And how do the contents change after adding catalyst and catalyst with methanol?

 4. It is hoped that more in-depth mechanism research will be added in the experimental part to further demonstrate the mechanism of catalyst upgrading heavy oil.

 5. The findings describe the recommended concentration for heavy oil additives at which the greatest effectiveness is achieved. How economically feasible is it to add 20% methanol in oilfield conditions when producing viscous oil, taking into account its danger and high cost?

Author Response

Dear,

We have revised this manuscript according to the comments.

Sincerely

Gang Chen

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please seen in the attached file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Dear,

We have revised this manuscript according to the comments.

Sincerely

Gang Chen

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Considering  the  scientific  contribution  and  quality  of  the  present  version,  I support the acceptance by the Catalysts after Minor revision.

1. In section 2.9 I would like to see not only a description, but also a diagram of the mechanism of catalytic upgrading of heavy oil

Author Response

Dear,

We have revised the manuscript according to the comments.

Sincerely

Gang Chen

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After carefully checking, the authors have the attempt to correct and explain more in the points that reviewer commented. I think this version is almost complete and can be published. However, please correct the warning in Page 11 "Microstructural analysis of wax crystals was performed using saturated hydrocarbons separated from crude oil [Error! Reference source not found.]" before sending to the next step.

Author Response

Dear,

We have revised the manuscript according to the comments.

Sincerely

Gang Chen

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf