Patent ID: 9382485
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: C10G

Claim Text:
1. A method for upgrading of petroleum feedstock, comprising the steps of: providing a pressurized and heated petroleum feedstock, wherein said petroleum feedstock is maintained at a temperature of between about 10° C. and 250° C. and a pressure of at least about 22.06 MPa; providing a pressurized and heated water feed, wherein said water feed is maintained at a temperature of between about 250° C. and 650° C. and a pressure of at least about 22.06 MPa; combining said pressurized and heated petroleum feedstock and said pressurized and heated water feed to form a combined petroleum and water feed stream; supplying the combined petroleum and water feed stream to a hydrothermal reactor to produce a first product stream, wherein said reactor is maintained at a temperature of between 380° C. and 550° C., the combined petroleum and water feed stream being maintained within the hydrothermal reactor for a residence time operable to crack hydrocarbons present in the combined petroleum and water feed stream; transferring the first product stream to a post-treatment device to produce a second product stream, wherein said post-treatment device is maintained at a temperature of between about 100° C. and 300° C., wherein water present in the post-treatment device is maintained in a liquid phase; collecting the second product stream from the post treatment device, the second product stream comprising hydrocarbon product and water, wherein the hydrocarbon product has a reduced sulfur content relative to the petroleum feedstock.