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Method of upgrading heavy crude oil

  • US 9,988,584 B2
  • Filed: 08/09/2013
  • Issued: 06/05/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of upgrading a heavy crude oil, comprising:

  • (a) thermally cracking the heavy crude oil in a cracking vessel in the absence of a sweep gas, wherein the thermal cracking is conducted at a temperature less than or equal to 450°

    C., to convert a portion of the heavy crude oil to volatile components while simultaneously venting the volatile components from the cracking vessel;

    (b) mixing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) with the heavy crude oil prior to or during the thermal cracking;

    (c) venting the THFA from the cracking vessel simultaneously with the thermal cracking, and separating the THFA from the condensable volatile components;

    (d) separating the vented volatile components into condensable volatile components and non-condensable volatile components; and

    (e) collecting the condensable volatile components, said components comprising cracked-distilled oil.

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