Reactor and method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons with supercritical fluids
US10920152B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/805
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Heavy hydro-carbonaceous materials such as bitumen are upgraded in supercritical water in a continuous-flow reactor system. The present invention provides a reactor arrangement for and a method of converting bitumen and other highly viscous hydrocarbon containing materials into pumpable liquids to enable further processing of such materials while avoiding production of char. The process can be carried out in an underground reactor based on oil well technology. The reactor design and method facilitates mass transfer to dissolve bitumen in heated water and breaks down heavy hydrocarbons by controlling the temperature and pressure in zones within the flowing stream. The reactor may include an embedded electric heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.