Electrochemical treatment of hydrocarbons

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and systems of producing plasma from a polar liquid under relatively benign conditions of temperature and pressure, by providing at least one dielectric medium in contact with the polar liquid, such that an interface forms between the liquid and the medium; and creating an electric potential across the interface to produce plasma from the polar liquid inside the dielectric medium. The plasma may be used to convert hydrocarbons into useful products or intermediates.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An electro chemical system for producing plasma from a polar liquid comprising;
 a. an electrochemical cell, comprising: a polar liquid, a dielectric medium, and a polar liquid-dielectric medium interface; and   b. a power source for creating an electric potential across said interface.   
     
     
         2 . The electro chemical system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising two electrodes connected to the power source, wherein a first electrode is placed on one side of the interface; and a second electrode is placed on the second side of the interface. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power source is an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claims 2 , wherein the electrode comprises a conductive metal comprising tungsten, copper, or graphite. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in one of  claim 1 , wherein the electric potential is created by an alternating current in the range of from about 500 V to about 30 KV. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric medium is a non-polar fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polar liquid and dielectric medium interface is a polar liquid and non polar fluid phase boundary. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the non-polar fluid comprises a hydrocarbon feedstock. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the non-polar fluid comprises kerosene, diesel, mineral oil, crude oil or crude oil fraction, a vegetable oils, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polar liquid comprises water, an alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerol or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polar liquid further comprises an electrolyte. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the electrolyte comprises a salt, an alkali, or organic acids or mineral acids, or a base. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the alkali is selected from the group comprising of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the Organic acid comprises acetic acid or citric acid. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the mineral acid comprises hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid. 
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polar liquid further comprises a plasma enhancer comprising a carbohydrates or a sugar alcohol. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the carbohydrate comprises a mono- or di-saccharide. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the mono- or di-saccharide comprises sucrose, glucose, or fructose. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a heating system for heating the polar liquid or dielectric medium, or both the polar liquid and the dielectric medium.