초록 ▼

A process for upgrading heavy crude oil production is described which involves adding a diluent, or solvent, which is a light hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the crude oil being processed. After dilution, the emulsions in the crude are broken and the separation of the cru

A process for upgrading heavy crude oil production is described which involves adding a diluent, or solvent, which is a light hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the crude oil being processed. After dilution, the emulsions in the crude are broken and the separation of the crude into the components follows, aided by a second injection of diluent. This upgrades the crude and enhances the amount recovered for processing at a refinery. A high asphalt content of a heavy crude can also be tolerated in the practice of this invention resulting in environmentally-benign solids and water exiting a process which due to the modularization of equipment can be practiced at the well-head itself.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for upgrading heavy, high viscosity, crude oil produced as a crude oil/water emulsion comprising the steps of:adding a sufficient amount of a light hydrocarbon diluent having a boiling point of from about 10.degree. to about 180.degree. F. to said crude oil/water emulsion

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for upgrading heavy, high viscosity, crude oil produced as a crude oil/water emulsion comprising the steps of:adding a sufficient amount of a light hydrocarbon diluent having a boiling point of from about 10.degree. to about 180.degree. F. to said crude oil/water emulsion to form a mixture having a viscosity of less than about 50 cp;heating and pressurizing said mixture to suitable conditions for breaking said crude-oil/water emulsion contained in said mixture by flashing;breaking the crude oil/water emulsion and forming a vapor effluent and a liquid effluent by flashing said mixture to a sufficiently low pressure to vaporize at least about 5 percent by volume of said mixture;separating crude oil from said liquid effluent; andrecovering said separated crude oil.