Patent ID: 8394260
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for upgrading heavy oil in an environment free of an externally supplied catalyst or externally supplied hydrogen source, the process comprising the steps of: combining a heated heavy oil stream with a heated water feed in a mixing zone to form a heavy oil/water mixture and allowing the heavy oil/water mixture to become well mixed, wherein the heavy oil/water mixture is at a temperature and pressure that exceeds the critical temperature and pressure of water; adding a heated oxidant stream to the heavy oil/water mixture to form a reaction mixture, wherein the heated oxidant stream is at a temperature and pressure that exceeds the critical temperature and pressure of water; introducing the reaction mixture into a reaction zone, wherein the reaction mixture is subjected to operating conditions that are at or exceed the supercritical conditions of water, such that at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the reaction mixture undergo cracking to form an upgraded mixture, the reaction zone being essentially free of an externally-provided catalyst; removing the upgraded mixture from the reaction zone and cooling and depressurizing the upgraded mixture to form a cooled upgraded-mixture; separating the cooled upgraded-mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream; and separating the liquid stream into upgraded oil and recovered water, wherein the upgraded oil has reduced amounts of asphaltene, sulfur, nitrogen or metal containing substances and an increased API gravity as compared to the heated heavy oil stream.