LABORATORIES

Laboratory Directory

J. Ascención Montoya de la FuenteChief Laboratory CoordinatorIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8242amontoya@imp.mx

Upstream Laboratory Unit

César Miranda CoronaHead of the Petrophysics & PVT (pressure, volume, temperature) Analysis LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-6546mirandac@imp.mx

José Fidel Guadarrama MuñozHead of the Hydrocarbon Production & Corrosion Control Laboratory IMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-6835jguadar@imp.mx

María Cristina Avilés AlcántaraHead of the Well Drilling, Completion & Maintenance LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-6983caviles@imp.mx

Jackeline Téllez MárquezHead of the Organic Geochemical LaboratoryIMP Center La Reforma,Ph. (52) 771 717-0623, ext. 4623jmarquez@imp.mx

Tobías Noel Nava EntzanaHead of the Synthetic & Natural Substances Characterization LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8375tnava@imp.mx

Armando Pineda MuñozHead of the Hydrocarbon Recovery LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-7110apinedam@imp.mx

Downstream Laboratory Unit

Javier Rodríguez SalazarHead of the Physical Analysis LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8408jsalazar@imp.mx

Héctor del Río MorenoHead of the Chemical Analysis LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8477hdelrio@imp.mx

Florencia Marina Morán PinedaHead of the Environmental Analysis LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-6601fmarina@imp.mx

José Luis Mendoza de la CruzHead of the Thermodynamics & Chemical Product Synthesis LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-6503jlmendoz@imp.mx

Lázaro Moisés García MorenoHead of the Pilot Plant & Catalyst Scaling LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8038lmgarcia@imp.mx

Ramón Bolado EstandiaHead of the Combustion Systems LaboratoryIMP-Veracruz, Ph. (52) 229 920-8126robolado@imp.mx

Technical Support Area

Enrique Ovando YshikauaHead of the Metrology LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8562eovando@imp.mx

Armando Pineda MuñozHead of the Scientific Glass Blowing Shop Laboratory IMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-7110apinedam@imp.mx

Julio Ramírez VelázquezHead of the Electronics LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175-8044jurmire@imp.mx

Contact

José Chávez GarcíaCommercial Strategies OfficePh. (52) 55 9175-7993jchavezg@imp.mx

Laboratories

Upstream(Exploration & Production)

Downstream(Hydrocarbon Transformation & Separation)

Technical support

MEXICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE

Laboratory Direction

Mission

To conduct lab and calibration tests pro-ducing reliable and timely results that contribute to the development of proj-ects in the oil industry.

Vision

We operate world class laboratories with highly qualified personnel, technologies and services to perform lab and calibra-tion tests for the upstream and down-stream oil industry.

Contact:

J. Ascención Montoya de la FuenteChief Laboratory Coordinator

IMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 8242amontoya@imp.mx

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The Coordination is comprised of two laboratory units: Upstream (Explora-

tion & Production) and Downstream (Hy-drocarbon Transformation & Separation), each with six specialized laboratories and a Technical Support office:

Upstream laboratory unit

• Petrophysics and PVT analysis • Hydrocarbon production and corrosion

control • Well drilling, completion and mainte-

nance • Organic geochemistry • Characterization of synthetic and natu-

ral substances • Hydrocarbon recovery

Downstream laboratory unit

• Physical analysis • Chemical analysis • Environmental analysis

• Thermodynamics and chemical product synthesis

• Pilot plants and catalyst scaling • Combustion systems

Technical support

• Metrology laboratory • Scientific glass blowing shop • Electronics

The twelve laboratories are staffed with highly qualified personnel and have fixed and mobile facilities and specialized experi-ment equipment to perform measuring, analysis, and determinations of substances, according to established specifications, ap-plying standardized and non-standardized methods and methods developed by our own labs.

With this specialized personnel, material in-frastructure, and technical capacity, we of-fer the services the oil industry needs for its upstream and downstream processes.

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Upstream (Laboratory Unit)

Upstream laboratory unit

The upstream laboratory unit provides technical support for projects aimed at in-creasing the productivity of conventional and unconventional deposits, preventing and controlling pipeline corrosion, and also improving hydrocarbon recovery, onshore and in shallow or deep waters.

Petrophysics and PVT analysis(pressure, volume, temperature) This lab is comprised of a group of prod-ucts that define and study the geological, petrophysical, and dynamic characteristics that control the storage and production ca-pacity of oil deposits, identifying and quan-tifying the volume of hydrocarbons they contain. It includes both the precise char-acterization of the chemical composition of substances and the determination of their surface structure.

The studies this lab produces aid in the preparation and evaluation of strategies and alternatives for the exploitation of de-posits, in order to provide technical sup-port for operating plans to optimize exploi-tation and increase reserves or production.

Success stories

The Petrophysics area, in relation to the Research and Development project Che- mical products for controlling dam-ages to formations caused by organic deposits in carbon-ate deposits, led to a domestic patent for the formulation IMP-CDFIM-3000 and its application and for the zwitterionic liq-uid IMP-CDFIM-001, for the removal and control of forma-tion damage. PEMEX approved the IMP products for the re-moval and control of formation damage.

This lab has helped with the character-ization of fluids produced by deposits at the different PEP Assets, including Bellota–Jujo, Samaria–Luna, Abkatún–Pol–Chuc, and Macuspana–Muspac, through special testing and analysis of deposit fluids, surface current fluids and gas produced, and special testing for N2 injection.

It has contributed to the characteriza-tion of rocks, the preparation of special thin sections and scanning electron microscopy for Improved Recovery re-search projects using agent injection to increase production based on residual oil saturation.

It successfully contributed to the Spe-cialized Studies in Diffusion and Con-vection in N2 System-Deposit Fluids on crude at the Cantarell Complex, by conducting oil swelling tests with N2, to obtain the elements necessary to in-ject N2 to maintain pressure. Area per-sonnel received the 1998 IMP Annual Award for this work.

Areas • Petrophysics • PVT

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Specializations

• Geology • Fluid rock interaction • Laminate • Permeability • Porosity • Sample preparation I • Compositional

Headquarters and Cactus • PVT Headquarters

Contact:César Miranda CoronaHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 6546mirandac@imp.mx

Hydrocarbon production and corrosion control

Offers solutions to interior and exterior cor-rosion problems that arise at oil industry facilities, for which electrochemical, micro-biological, and ferrous substance chemical techniques are used, based on Mexican and international standards.

The compatibility of crude oils is quantified to set the parameters for deposit produc-tion, and also the response from asphalt formation inhibitors, water content crude oil sediments or non-volatile crude oil frac-tions.

Incorporation of an exper-imental test pipeline into the multiphase loop of Hydrocarbon Production Lab tests, Pachuca Divi-sion (Sener-Conacyt Proj-ect System for detecting leaks and illegal siphoning in gas and liquid pipelines) to evaluate the behavior of transient phenomena during the occurrence of multiple leaks due to ille-gal siphoning from pipe-lines transporting single or two-phase fluids.

Localized corrosion study, caused by biofilm in the interior of PEMEX Ex-ploration and Production pipelines. Purpose: To investigate and study an innovative biotechnological method-ology for controlling the phenomenon of microbiological corrosion , based on the interruption of molecular commu-nication between microorganisms that form biofilm, causing phenomena of localized corrosion on the internal sur-face of pipelines. Four copyrights were registered for this work.

Success stories Areas • Corrosion • Well production and productivity

Specializations • Microbiological corrosion • Electrochemistry and cathodic protec-

tion • Corrosion inhibitors • Corrosion resistant coatings • Well productivity

Contact:José Fidel Guadarrama MuñozHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52)55 9175 6835jguadar@imp.mx

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Upstream (Laboratory Unit)

Well drilling, completion and maintenance

Includes well engineering applications and experimental research and development with high technological content in the area of rock mechanics. Associates the plan-ning, design, evaluation, and optimization of processes to determine geopressures, casing settlements, drill-hole geometry, well trajectory, augers, casings, drill strings, circulation loss control, setting of criteria for well stability, design, and assessment of drilling fluids, well completion and repair, and also primary foced cementing and the placement of cement plugs.

In general, this lab characterizes the me-chanical behavior of complex rocks, such as carbonated rocks, those that fracture naturally, or those that are sand-clay. This symbiosis aids in the profitable and timely development of oil fields. Results are interpreted according to international standards: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and also methods suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM). These services are supported by specialists, specialized labs, and software for informed decision-making in the drilling of conventional and unconventional wells, and also their appli-cation in deep waters.

Success stories

This lab developed the Venturi flow pattern improvers (MPFV®), which are devices used in hydrocarbon produc-ing wells to deliver power to the de-posit, to extend the flow life, improve flow conditions, reduce drops in pres-sure in the vertical pipe, and control the production of water and/or sand. In gas wells with a high CO2 content, they prevent the lines from freezing, among other effects. More than 500 MPFV® have been installed to date at PEP production assets, resulting in an average increase of 0.3 MMPCD of gas at each well and 50 BPD at oil wells; the recovery period for the service cost is 10 days and the total estimated reve-nue is US$425 billion/year in increased production.

Areas • Well control fluids • Geomechanics • Tools

Specializations • Geomechanics • Electronics • Metal-mechanics • Experimental wells • Pressure and

temperature

Contact: María Cristina Avilés AlcántaraHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 6983caviles@imp.mx

Organic geochemistry

This lab conducts detailed studies of depos-it oils in order to identify heterogeneities in the fluids of a crude oil producing field and determine the existence of geological bar-riers within the deposit. Using predictive models, our specialists establish oil qual-ity in the early stage of exploration, which helps to determine the economic viability of an exploitation development project, which in turn leads to informed decision

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making in the exploitation of heavy oil ver-sus light oil. These studies help to establish the origin of the crude oil, which is highly valuable information in the exploration of petroleum systems in the shallow and deep waters of sea basins.

Success stories

First IMP laboratory to receive ISO 9002-1994, NMXCC-044:1995 certifica-tion (July 2000).

Implementation of analytical tech-niques developed at the lab to provide geochemical information used as a tool for the exploration and production of petroleum systems.

This lab has implemented new high resolution geochemical methodolo-gies to improve the characterization of oils and extracts to broaden the infor-mation for petroleum systems.

This lab has participated, without inter-ruption, in service projects for PEMEX Exploration and Production, upstream.

For four years in a row, the Entidad Mex-icana de Acreditación, A.C. (EMA) (Mexi-can Accreditation Agency) has found zero violations during their inspection visits. Last inspection visit: May 2014.

This lab has participated in geochemi-cal study projects, such as Geochemi-cal studies applied at the Samaria, Oxi-acaque, Cunduacán, Iride, and Platanal fields; Geochemical and Petrographic Studies at the Juspi, Arroyo Zanapa, and Sitio Grande fields; Geochemistry of Deposits at the Jujo-Tecominoacán Field, and recently, Methodological and Analytical Protocol Development for the Geochemical and Genetic Characteriza-tion of Methane Gas. This lab was recog-nized for their work and participation in the Geochemical-Isotope analysis project and organic optics-microfacies analysis.

Areas • Potential generator assessment • Total gamma analysis

Contact:Jackeline Téllez MárquezHead of LaboratoryIMP Center La Reforma,Ph. (52) 771 717 0623 ext. 4623jmarquez@imp.mx

Characterization of synthetic and natural substances

This lab uses the latest techniques and equipment to accurately characterize the chemical composition of substances and materials, to analyze the surface structure of organic, biological, and inorganic ma-terials, in order to correlate that observed with the surface properties of the sample.

This lab has a preparation and characteriza-tion area for materials using dual beam mi-croscopy, to observe and characterize these materials applying four microscopy tech-niques, diffraction, X-ray florescence, struc-tural and compositional analysis (DRX, FRX and Mössbauer), and surface characteriza-tion (Raman, XPS), among others. The data

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Upstream (Laboratory Unit)

Collected can be correlated with the physicochemical, optical, magnetic, and macroscopic elec-tron properties of the substances or materials.

This lab is able to synthesize and evaluate different materials and develop processes for the pro-duction of clean fuels, through combined catalysis using high purity precursors. In the area of combined catalysis, oppor-tunities can be identified in the design of catalysts for critical PEMEX processes, such as the de-velopment of processes for the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons; the devel-opment of processes for the transfor-mation of methane into new petrochemi-cals; the development of remediation processes and techniques, and mitigating pollution.

Search times for the ideal characteristics of a certain catalyst are reduced, lowering investments in basic research, thanks to nu-merous tests (up to 92 samples per experi-ment) being performed quickly and in par-allel to the application of this technology.

Success stories

The development of selective and re-newable adsorbent material, which makes an adsorption process viable to reduce nitrogenated compounds pres-ent in gas oils used in hydrosulfuration (HDS) by PEMEX Refining. This material has led to a decrease in the HDS pro-cess reaction conditions and increased production of UBA diesel.

The application of the Ultra High Reso-lution Electronic Microscopy technique has led to 15 domestic and internation-al patents and 6 in-house patents that are currently at different stages, from application to approval.

The X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry technique has led to an extensive ap-plication for liquid samples, for exam-ple, for the analysis of alternative fuels.

The Mössbauer spectroscopy tech-nique offers numerous applications in the field of corrosion, due to its sensi-tivity for the study of solid materials that contain iron, and also corrosion products for pipelines that transport crude, gasoline, and fuel oil (FeS, FeC and FeO).

The lab prepared an experimentation platform: synthesis, characterization, and assessment of the intrinsic prop-erties of selective and renewable ad-sorbent materials, resulting in an 80% reduction in the nitrogenated com-pounds present in gas oil currents, des-ignated for hydrotreatment to obtain UBA diesel. Two patent applications have been developed to protect the synthesis and application of the new adsorbent material.

Areas • X-ray diffraction and florescence • Electron microscopy • Radiological safety

Specializations • X-ray diffraction and florescence • Structural and compositional analysis

(DRX, FRX and Mössbauer) • Surface characterization (Raman, XPS) • Synthesis, structural determination and

combined catalysis assessment • Atomic force and tunneling microscopy • Scanning electron microscopy • Transmission electron microscopy • Preparation for dual beam microscopy

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• Nuclear magnetic resonance • Confocal microscopy • Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)

Contact:Tobías Noel Nava EntzanaHead of Laboratory IMP-Headquarters, Ph. Tel. (52) 55 9175 8375tnava@imp.mx

Hydrocarbon recovery

This lab performs hydrocarbon recovery studies under deposit conditions, deter-mining the petrophysical and fluid prop-erties associated with these processes. This lab uses oil displacement systems for studies of improved recovery processes under deposit conditions; X-ray tomogra-phy equipment and support equipment for fluid properties, and an air injection system (combustion tube). In addition, this lab has equipment to characterize fluid properties using gas chromatography, diffusion, and interfacial tension.

Success stories

IMP patented equipment, known as Oil well head online tracer measuring system, which is used for the continual and automated monitoring of the con-centration of up to three different trac-ers, liquid or gas, simultaneously with oil well production. This system offers a technical benefit, as it monitors the tracers continually and in an automated manner, avoiding the uncertainty associ-ated with traditional sampling. The system was successfully test-ed at well 119 in the Puerto Ceiba field, of the Bellota-Jujo Asset, in the Southern Region of PEMEX Exploration and Production.

Studies for the characterization and assessment of IMP chemical products with antiscalant, foam-ing activity, interfacial tension reducer, wetting modifier, as-phaltene disperser, and mobility reducer, under deposit tempera-ture and pressure conditions.

Their performance has been evaluated to improve recovery and control gas mobility, at lab scale, in RMSE (Cantarell and Ku-Maloob-Zap), RMSO (Abkatún-Pol-Chuc), and Northern Region (AIP-RA) fields, among others. Their applica-tion has been successfully evaluated to control gas mobility at the Cantarell Field and as an EOR process at the Jujo-Tecominoacán Field. A recent chemical product development project earned the research group the IMP Technologi-cal Innovation award.

Areas • Radiochemistry • Hydrocarbon recovery

Specializations • Radiochemistry • Chromatography • Chromatography and diffusion and con-

vection • Diffusion and convection • Physical models • Improved recovery • Secondary recovery • X-ray tomography

Contact:Armando Pineda MuñozHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 7110apinedam@imp.mx

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Downstream (Laboratory Unit)

Downstream laboratory unit

Physical Analysis

This lab conducts specialized studies both in the field and in lab, and also different tests, using methods internationally stan-dardized by the American Society for Test-ing Material (ASTM), Universal Oil Products (UOP), and Institut du Petrole (IP). The tests offered include: atmospheric and vacuum distillations, kinematic, dynamic, and Say-bolt viscosity measuring; the determina-tion of flashpoints, freezing points, pour points, aniline points, n-heptane, toluene and pentane insoluble compound content; salt and paraffin content in crude, the de-termination of steam pressure in gasoline, crude, and liquid gas; present and potential rubber content, induction periods, cetane number, vitreous transition temperatures, fusion point, crystallization point, and igni-tion point.

This lab can also provide chemical surveys. The test results help to provide techni-cal support, primarily for operating plans to optimize the performance of industrial processes, with the consequent increase in production, preventing or resolving bottlenecks in the operation of chemical, petrochemical, and biochemical industrial plants.

Success stories

Cold filtration and hot solubility equip-ment for paraffins, according to the UOP-46 method.

PROGASOL Project to determine the accuracy of the sampling and the anal-yses of the fuels PEMEX sells, to certify these meet commercial standards. The samples were taken from different service stations, points of sale, and oil tankers in various Mexican states, with a chain of custody through UNAM and IPN personnel. This project resulted in PEMEX acquiring mobile units in vari-ous states and their specialized person-nel were trained by our lab.

Areas • Crude analysis • Physical analysis • Material technology

Specializations • Crude analysis • Physical analysis • Physical and chemical • Semi-performance • Performance • Metals • Metallography • Non-metals • Mechanic shop • Material technology

Contact:Javier Rodríguez SalazarHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph (52)55 9175 8408jsalazar@imp.mx

Chemical analysis

Performs testing to characterize the struc-tural, composition, physicochemical, and surface properties of substances and ma-terials as diverse as crude oil, oil refining products and loads, chemical products, catalysts, metallic pieces, wastewaters, organic tissues, ionic liquids, biomateri-als, polymers, clays, dolomites, carbon-ates, fossils, demantoids, etc.

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This lab has extensive infrastructure, with automated high-tech equipment, estab-lished techniques, and qualified personnel who participate actively in the develop-ment of new analysis methodologies in each area of specialization. It offers an ex-tensive variety of specialized studies and analysis subject to standardized methods (ASTM, UOP, EPA) both in the field and in lab. The lab offers EMA accredited testing.

Success stories

This lab has developed and imple-mented its own methodologies, such as: the determination of polyaromatics by number of rings in diesel, using su-percritical chromatography; speciation of sulfur compounds in gas, gasoline, and diesel; identification of families of nitrogen compounds in gasoline and diesel; determination of total diolefins in naphtha by supercritical gas chroma-tography, among many other method-ologies.

Some direct and indirect services for PEMEX and other clients require the quantitative analysis of metals in solid or liquid samples, such as crude oils, gasoline, gas oils. This lab can deter-mine the content of these from parts per trillion to percentage in weight.

This lab has 13 tests registered with the EMA.

Determination of organic silicon in crude oil using the ICP-OES technique. This test is required by PEMEX Explora-tion and Production for export oil pri-marily sent to the United States, and must have a minimum silicon content.

Areas • • Chemical tests • • Chromatography • • Spectroscopy

Specializations • Atomic absorption • Particle analysis and thermal analysis • Bioanalytics • Biocatalysis • Development and application of meth-

ods for the characterization of crude and its derivatives

• Plasma emission • Mass spectrometry • IR spectrometry • Gas and liquid chromatography • Instruments • Molecular evaluation techniques • Wet process

Contact: Héctor del Río MorenoHead of Laboratory

IMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 91 75 84 77hdelrio@imp.mx

Environmental analysis

This lab offers specialized studies both in the field and in lab, related to the biodegradability of chemi-cal products, biocide assessment, treatability tests to set design parameters for water treatment plants and for the optimization of treatment processes; and also the determination of metals by atomic absorption, Stiff and Da-vid stability index, microbiological analysis, and toxicology studies of discharges or the receiving bodies, among others. This lab has accred-ited tests.

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Downstream (Laboratory Unit)

Success stories

This lab has contributed to the devel-opment of various methodologies, technological manuals, copyrights, and domestic and international pat-ents, for example: (1) Nanostructured Titania semiconductor material and its production process, European pat-ent application ep 2 679 542 a1, (2) Preparation of nanostructured titania technology manual (TSG-IMP and TRP-IMP), (3) Analysis methodology for the determination of fluorobenzoic acids in oil well water by gas chromatography, (4) Methodologies for the determina-tion of: Ethyl acetate and ethanol with Flame Ionization detector, Ethyl acetate and ethanol with mass spectrometry detector with Purge and Trap, Evalua-tion method IMP-NOx-I.

The Water Analysis and Treatment area has developed environmental monitor-ing analytical studies in the Gulf of Mex-ico, well waters, and participated in the project Development of biosurfactants for the transportation of heavy and ex-tra-heavy crude using water emulsions and their breakage, to evaluate light and super-light crude oil; four patent applications and copyrights.

The Analytical Chemistry area has pro-duced quantitative organic compound analytical data at the trace level un-der the Gulf of Mexico environmental monitoring program in response to the Deepwater Horizont oil spill.

Areas • Water analysis and treatment • Environmental studies • Analytical chemistry

Specializations • Molecular biology • Bioreactors I • Bioreactors II • Microbiology • Aerosol analysis • Smog chamber

• Characterization and evaluation of envi-ronmental catalysts

• Ecotoxicology • Atmospheric particles and optics • Ecology • Physicochemical • Environmental chemistry • Analytical chemistry

Contact:Florencia Marina Morán PinedaHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 6601fmarina@imp.mx

Thermodynamics and chemical product synthesis

This lab operates a multidisciplinary envi-ronment for the determination of physi-cochemical properties, phase equilibrium, and chemical equilibrium, conducting tests and experiments at broad pressure and temperature intervals for gas, liquid, and solid samples; from simple compo-nents to multicomponent mixes for or-ganic, biological, and inorganic materials, oil industry process currents, and diverse fluids of interest for PEMEX processes, among others.

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The techniques and equipment available aid in the development of new prod-ucts, fuels, and materials such as addi-tives, having various applications in the chemical, petrochemical, and biochemi-cal industries. These techniques have the apparatus necessary to conduct the sampling and quantitative analysis of fluid phases in equilibrium, using online analytical methods.

Success stories

The high pressure Thermodynamics area, in collaboration with IMP researchers, has developed methodologies to determine asphaltene and paraffin precipitation absorbers for any type of hydrocarbon, obtaining two patents. The first method-ology is for asphaltene absorbers, used for preserved samples from 10.5°API to 35°API, to determine the beginning of asphaltene formation for heavy oil samples. The second methodology is to determine paraffin precipitation absorb-ers, in order to measure the beginning of this formation and the pour point of the oil; this technique was validated as a standard, and also in two oils preserved at 10.5°API and one at 32°API.

The Chemical and electrochemical syn-thesis area has produced four domestic patents and one international patent, which include a modular appara-tus for measuring ionic, electronic, and mixed conductivity for poly-meric and ceramic membranes.

The corrosion area has received four copyright certificates.

The Chemical treatment area modified the method ASTM D-1094 Method of Standard Testing for Water Reaction in Aviation Fuel, titled IMP-PQ-001.1 Determination of the water reaction of gasolines dosed with detergent additives. The method IMP-PQ-001.1 for the evaluation of the efficiency of demulsification properties

for the products IMP-DG-15 and IMP-DG-15M commercialized with PEMEX-Refining.

Areas • Chemical synthesis • Thermodynamics • Chemical treatments

Specializations • High pressure thermodynamics • Reaction mechanisms and physical prop-

erty studies • Material synthesis research • Research and development of unconven-

tional processes • Preparation of FCC catalyst materials • Preparation of samples III • Equilibrium between thermodynamic

phases and properties • Research in thermophyiscs • Formulation and evaluation of chemical

products • Chemical synthesis • IMP Additives • Fuels and chemical treatments

Contact:José Luis Mendoza de la CruzHead of Laboratory IMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 6503jlmendoz@imp.mx

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Downstream (Laboratory Unit)

Pilot plants and catalyst scaling

This lab has micro and semi-commercial scale equipment to simulate the operation of industrial units at a lower investment, reducing operating costs and raw material inputs, catalysts, energy costs, and auxiliary services.

The lab can perform catalyst material scal-ing and evaluate processes at microplants and for microsystem materials, for which it has fixed bed, boiling and fluid bed reactors, and also reactors that work in combination with agitated, isothermal, and adiabatic tanks and distillation equipment. The op-eration of these units is continual and au-tomated, producing electronic reports; also analytical support is available depending on the needs of the user.

The Pilot plant and catalyst scaling lab pro-vides experimental support, at the pilot plant level, for research, development, and technological service projects related to re-fining and petrochemical processes.

Success stories

This lab has contributed to the con-struction and operation of pilot plants at PEMEX refineries, including the Cy-clohexane pilot plant at the refinery in Minatitlán, Veracruz; the Petrochemical Acetonitrile Purification plant in Tula, Hidalgo; and a Nonene Production plant at the Independencia Petrochem-ical Complex in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla. Lab personnel have participat-ed in technology demonstration tests, such as those conducted at the Ciudad Madero refinery with the IMPEX process, and a Heavy Crude Improvement test at an HTI demonstra-tion plant in New Jersey, USA, which produced the Hidro-IMP® technology, the patent for which was given in various countries.This lab has provided

its services to Petróleos Mexicanos (PE-MEX) and to companies such as Empresa Colombiana del Petróleo; Intercat Tech-nology Inc., USA; Refiería de Petróleos del Norte, Spain; Toyo Engineering Cor-poration and Japan International Coop-eration Agency (JICA) in Japan, and Mex-ican research centers (Sener-Conacyt).

Development of a methodology for the development and evaluation of ad-ditives used to reduce the SOx sulfur oxides contained in combustion gases produced during the gas oil fluidized catalytic cracking process, known as FCC.

Areas • Microplants • Pilot plants

Specializations • Selective separations I • Selective separations II • Membrane synthesis and ionic liquids • Nanomaterial synthesis • Support synthesis and

hydroprocessing catalysts • Synthesis and hydrotreatment I • Synthesis and hydrotreatment II • Alternate technologies

for fuel production • Evaluation of microsystem

materials and analytical support • Evaluation of catalytic

material scaling processes • Evaluation of microplant processes • Cracking and hydrocracking of residues • Distillations • Hydrotreatment • Special processes (formerly,

biodiesel plant)

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Contact:Lázaro Moisés García MorenoHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 8038lmgarcia@imp.mx

Combustion systems

The purpose of this lab is to de-velop studies to increase the effi-ciency, reliability, and accessibility of combustion systems.

It provides technical support to the oil sector by developing the technology and methods needed to evaluate and improve the com-bustion process of fossil fuels, particularly in the atomization of liquids, gas injection, burner and furnace design, material break-down, internal combustion, re-lease of pollutants, alternative fuels, and the transportation of heavy crude mitigat-ing the environmental impact.

Research on the formulation, lab scale and pilot plant preparation, and charac-terization of heavy crude emulsions in water and pipe flow tests. Five research projects were conducted between 2012 and 2014 for the project Biosur-factant development for the transpor-tation of heavy and extra-heavy crude using water emulsions and their break-age, including formulation, lab scale and pilot plant preparation, and charac-terization of heavy crude emulsions in water (distilled, network, and synthetic sea) to evaluate various biosurfactants and to compare, using flow tests, emul-sions with crude without emulsifying, diluted with diesel, and diluted with

light crude. The results led to the im-provement of the biosurfactant and its optimization for the preparation of heavy crude emulsions. It also showed that emulsified heavy crude has lower resistance when transported than non-emulsified crude and is comparable to the dilution technique.

Areas• Combustion and fuels• Vehicle emissions and engine testing• Atmospheric species and air quality

Specializations• Atomization and burners • Alternative fuels and materials• Pilot plant and auxiliary services• Organic analysis• Diesel emissions• Vehicle emissions• Octane engines• Air quality• Fugitive and evaporating emissions• Fixed sources

Contact:Ramón Bolado EstandiaHead of LaboratoryIMP-Veracruz, Ph. (52) 229 920 8126rbolado@imp.mx

Success stories

Basic design for a downhole steam generator to be used for the thermal stimulation of wells, with a thermal output of 10 MMBTU/h, which result-ed in the patent MX/E/2012/040339 Downhole steam generator for hydro-carbon production.

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Technical support

Technical support

Offers services in the area of metrology, in-cluding instrument calibration and radio-logical safety.

Metrology laboratory

This lab is EMA accredited in mass, electrics, pressure, temperature, and volume, cover-ing most of the needs of the PEMEX and IMP research and testing labs.

Success stories

Metrology training for more than 500 IMP lab personnel.

Support in the calibration of PEP, PGPB, and PEMEX Refining measuring instru-ments.

Contact:Enrique Ovando YshikauaHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52)55 9175 8562eovando@imp.mx

Scientific glass blowing shop

This shop produces and repairs scientific glass equipment and material, and also manufactures pieces based on design pro-totypes, which are highly specialized and cannot be found in the market.

Success stories

Glass models to simulate the behavior of drains in Guadalajara, Jalisco, to de-termine the responsibility for damages caused by the drain explosion in Gua-dalajara on April 22, 1992.

Development and modification of a special vacuum line, and also the ongo-ing production of analysis cells, which must be perfectly designed, calibrated, and sealed (exact diameter and height) to be used with the Magic Angle Spin Nuclear Magnetic Resonance equip-ment (MAS-NMR, for solids) and spin at speeds between 5 000 and 10 000 revo-lutions per second.

Contact:Armando Pineda MuñozHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52)55 9175 7110apinedam@imp.mx

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Electronics

Provides technical support with preventive and corrective maintenance for auxiliary and lab equipment.

Success stories

Maintenance and support has been provided for the equipment installed at the AKAL-C and AKAL-H platforms to monitor gas pockets in shallow waters. Advisement in the identification, pur-chase, startup, and operation of vari-ous equipment.

In 2000, this lab participated in the implementation of the PEMEX South-ern Region Atmospheric Environmen-tal Monitoring System. The IMP’s part of the environmental monitoring net-work was implemented, which includ-ed installing a communications system based on the PEMEX WLAN network and software development, in addition to maintenance for the environmental monitoring equipment.

Contact: Julio Ramírez VelázquezHead of LaboratoryIMP-Headquarters, Ph. (52) 55 9175 8044juramire@imp.mx

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www.imp.mx