Patent ID: 8691084
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for extracting and upgrading a hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: providing a substrate containing a hydrocarbon comprising at least one of oil, tar and bituminous material to be extracted and upgraded; providing a reaction medium comprising hydrogen gas, a catalyst, and carbon dioxide as a supercritical or near-critical solvent that serves to extract said at least one of oil, tar and bituminous material from the substrate, and that serves to dissolve the hydrogen gas; mixing the substrate, the supercritical or near-critical solvent, the hydrogen gas, and the catalyst; and maintaining the mixture at temperature sufficient to cause reaction for a length of time calculated to allow said reaction to proceed to a desired extent; whereby said at least one of oil, tar and bituminous material is extracted and upgraded in a unitary operation.