Emulsion with coke additive in hydrocarbon phase and process for preparing same

A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hydrocarbon phase containing an inactive natural surfactant;
• wherein said hydrocarbon is a viscous hydrocarbon having an API gravity of less than or equal to about 16, and a viscosity at 122.degree. F. of greater than or equal to about 100 cp;
• wherein said inactive natural surfactant is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, phenols, esters and mixtures thereof;
• mixing a solid carbon additive with said hydrocarbon phase in a ratio by weight of hydrocarbon to additive of between about 1:1 to 25:1, said solid additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof so as to provide a hydrocarbon suspension including said solid carbon additive;
• and
• forming an emulsion from said hydrocarbon suspension and an aqueous phase including a surfactant activating additive, comprising an amine additive, so as to activate said inactive natural surfactant and form a hydrocarbon in water emulsion having said solid carbon additive suspended in said hydrocarbon phase and an emulsifier consisting essentially of the active natural surfactant.