Patent ID: 8815081
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: B01J,C10G,E21B

Abstract:
1. A continuous process for upgrading heavy crude oil, the continuous process comprising the steps of: combining heavy crude oil, which has an API gravity of less than about 30°, with a water feed in the presence of highly waxy crude oil, which has a pour point temperature greater than about room temperature and has an API gravity of greater than about 30°, to create a modified oil/water mixture, wherein the modified oil/water mixture is created in the absence of externally supplied hydrogen; increasing the pressure of the modified oil/water mixture to a pressure exceeding the critical pressure of water; modifying the temperature of the modified oil/water mixture in a reaction zone to a target temperature that is at or above the critical temperature of water, such that at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the modified oil/water mixture undergo cracking to create a hot adapted-mixture; reducing the pressure of the hot adapted-mixture using a pressure regulating device to create a pressure-reduced adapted mixture; separating the pressure-reduced adapted mixture into a gas portion and a liquid portion; separating the liquid portion into recovered water and upgraded oil; and collecting the upgraded oil, wherein the upgraded oil has reduced amounts of asphaltene, sulfur, nitrogen or metal containing substances as compared to the heavy crude oil.