Hydrocarbon resource processing apparatus including a load resonance tracking circuit and related methods

An apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon resource comprising:

• a spherically shaped hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween;
• a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding said spherically shaped hydrocarbon processing container;
• and
• a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to said spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance thereof, said RF circuit being configured to generate magnetic fields within said spherically shaped hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis of said RF circuit, said RF circuit comprising
• an RF amplifier having an input and an output,
• a first electrical conductor adjacent said spherically shaped hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the input of said RF amplifier, and
• a second electrical conductor coupled to said spirally wound electrical conductor and the output of said RF amplifier.