US 4,778,586 A · Viscosity reduction processing at elevated pressure

Abstract

A method is disclosed for improving the transportability of a hydrocarbon composition by passing an influent feed stream of composition into a downcomer to provide a hydrostatic column of fluid. The influent stream is heated by heat exchange with an effluent product stream wherein at least one of the streams is in turbulent flow. The feed stream is pressurized by the hydrostatic pressure head to a reaction pressure of at least about 1000 psi. The heated and pressurized feed stream is contacted with an active heat source in a reaction zone to increase the temperature of the feed stream to a reaction temperature of between about 300.degree. C. and the coking temperature of the hydrocarbon composition. The temperature differential between the active heat source and the feed stream in the reaction zone is maintained at less than about 30.degree. C. to provide a treated effluent stream which is brought into heat exchange contact with the influent stream. The treated composition has a lower viscosity than the feed composition.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method for improving the transportability of hydrocarbons said method comprising:

(a) flowing an influent hydrocarbon feed stream at a first temperature and a first pressure into a downcomer to form a hydrostatic pressure head and provide a pressurized feed stream at a second pressure;
(b) heating said influent stream by heat exchange with an effluent treated hydrocarbon stream wherein at least one of said streams is in turbulent flow to increase the temperature of said influent stream from said first temperature to a second temperature and provide a heated feed stream;
(c) contacting said heated and pressurized feed stream with an active heat source in a reaction zone to provide the feed stream at a reaction temperature between about 300.degree. C. and the coking temperature of said hydrocarbons and a reaction pressure of at least about 1000 psi to form said treated hydrocarbon stream;
(d) maintaining a temperature differential between said active heat source and said feed stream in said reaction zone of less than about 30.degree. C. to form a treated hydrocarbon stream;
and
(e) removing said treated stream from said reaction zone by passing said treated stream upward in a riser to form said effluent treated stream of reduced viscosity.

3 more elements

A method for decreasing the viscosity of hydrocarbons said method comprising:

(a) providing an influent hydrocarbon feed stream at a temperature T.sub.1 and a pressure P.sub.1 ;
(b) passing said influent stream downward in a downcomer to form a hydrostatic pressure head and increase pressure on said influent stream to provide a pressurized feed stream;
(c) heating said influent stream by heat exchange contact with an effluent stream wherein said streams are in multiphase flow to increase the temperature of said influent stream from temperature T.sub.1 to temperature T.sub.2, which is within about 50.degree. C. of a reaction temperature and provide a heated feed stream;
(d) contacting said heated and pressurized feed stream with an active heat source having a temperature differential between said heat source of said feed stream of less than about 30.degree. C. in a reaction zone to provide the feed stream at a reaction temperature of between about 300.degree. C. and the coking temperature of said hydrocarbons and a reaction pressure of at least about 1000 psi;
(e) maintaining said feed stream in said reaction zone to reduce the viscosity of said feed stream and form a treated hydrocarbon stream;
and
(f) removing said treated stream from said reaction zone and passing it upward as said effluent stream in a riser into said heat exchange contact with said influent stream.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Viscosity reduction processing at elevated pressure

Life of this patent

Viscosity reduction processing at elevated pressure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28