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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

VIS breaking heavy crude oils for pumpability

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7017101
This patent describes a method of reducing the viscosity of untreated crude oil. It comprises: vis-breaking in a reactor a first portion of the untreated crude oil with a recycled stream to produce a partially cracked residuum of the untreated oil; mixing the partially cracked residuum of the untreated oil with a second portion of the untreated oil to quench cracking and producing a first mixture; separating gas, vapor, and liquid by flashing from the mixture; condensing the gas and vapor obtained to produce liquid hydrocarbons and gas; splitting the liquid obtained into first and second streams thereof; passing the first stream obtained for us as the recycled stream in the first step; reacting coke produced in the first step with superheated steam to produce a hydrogen-containing gas during regeneration cycle to the reactor; and mixing the hydrogen-containing gas with the first stream obtained in the fifth step prior to vis-breaking in the first step.
Assignee:
NOV; NOV-90-006397; EDB-90-075544
Patent Number(s):
A; US 4883582
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-164861A
OSTI ID:
7017101
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English