Process for converting heavy crudes, tars, and bitumens to lighter products in the presence of brine at supercritical conditions
US4818370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G9/007
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A majority amount of a heavy hydrocarbon crude is reacted with a minor amount of brine, at supercritical temperature and pressure for the brine, for a predetermined period of time in order to upgrade and convert the heavy hydrocarbon crude into a lighter hydrocarbon crude of higher API gravity. The upgrading and conversion of a viscous heavy hydrocarbonaceous crude oil into lighter hydrocarbons is accomplished in a continuous reactor system and may be accomplished in a subterranean petroleum reservoir at supercritical temperature and pressure. The overall heat of reaction is neutral, i.e., neither exothermic nor endothermic. In order to provide the necessary temperature, heat is added to the system prior to the reaction. For an in situ application, a combustion operation may be utilized to provide the necessary temperature, and is initiated using an oxidizing gas injected through an injection well. After a predetermined amount of time, injection of the oxidizing gas is terminated and the injection well is shut-in for a predetermined period of time to permit the petroleum reservoir to undergo a soak period in order to increase the temperature and decrease the viscosity of the viscou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.