Patent ID: 8518243

Claim:
A method for utilizing a hydrocarbon waste stream having an API gravity varying from about 5 to about 30, the method comprising the steps of: (a) heating the hydrocarbon waste stream to a preselected temperature range in the absence of air to produce a heated hydrocarbon waste stream, wherein the hydrocarbon waste stream is a stream containing heavy hydrocarbon components resulting from refining and containing a significant amount of asphaltene; (b) mixing the heated hydrocarbon waste stream with a diluent solvent stream to reduce viscosity of the heated hydrocarbon waste stream to a reduced viscosity; (c) centrifuging the heated hydrocarbon waste stream to produce an oil phase stream, an aqueous phase stream, and separated solids stream; and (d) mixing the separated solids stream and water to produce a slurry fuel that has a solids content of at least 50 weight percent, wherein the preselected temperature range of step (a) is above about 30° C. and below the boiling point of the diluent solvent stream at atmospheric conditions.