Patent ID: 7576136
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: B01F,C10G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for producing an emulsified aqueous hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon processing comprising: providing a liquid hydrocarbon stream at a particular temperature and a separate water stream; mixing said water stream with a surfactant at a predetermined ratio; raising the pressure of said hydrocarbon stream to a pressure such that water will remain a liquid at said temperature greater than the vapor pressure of steam at said temperature; spraying said water into said hydrocarbon stream at a pressure greater than pressure of said hydrocarbon stream in a pre-mix chamber to define a pressurized hydrocarbon mixture; passing said pressurized hydrocarbon mixture through a static mixing chamber having a plurality of mixing elements, producing a plurality of alternative fluid layers of liquid hydrocarbon and water in said chamber, and plug flow mixing the plurality of fluid layers to produce the emulsified aqueous hydrocarbon solution having water bubbles of appropriate mean mass diameter of 5 to 10 microns; wherein the flow velocity of said pressurized hydrocarbon mixture through said static mixing chamber is in the range of 5-20 ft/sec.