Apparatus and method employing microwave heating of hydrocarbon fluid
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsWai-Ming Tam, Shawn David Taylor, Brian Oliver Clark
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Abstract
Apparatus for heating of hydrocarbon fluid where a traveling waveguide structure is configured to confine traveling wave electromagnetic radiation within its interior chamber and to contain hydrocarbon fluid that is subject to heating by such traveling wave electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus can be configured to heat hydrocarbon fluid to a reaction temperature suitable for visbreaking of the hydrocarbon fluid. The reaction temperature can be in the range of 350° C. to 500° C., which is suitable for visbreaking of heavy oil.
Claims31
An apparatus for heating a hydrocarbon fluid with electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
- a traveling wave structure defining an interior chamber, wherein the traveling wave structure is configured to confine electromagnetic radiation within the interior chamber and to contain hydrocarbon fluid that is subject to heating by the electromagnetic radiation confined within the interior chamber of the traveling wave structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.