Methods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid & increasing light hydrocarbon fractions

Abstract

The subject of this patent application relates generally to industrial converting of liquids using acoustic mechanical vibrations (resonance excitation) with or without a magnetic source to influence viscosity, and more particularly to methods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid, improving fractionation efficiency, blending of liquids, liquids and solids and its effects upon a H2O mixed with hydrocarbon liquid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a magnetic flux field of a first liquid using a device that is capable of producing a resonance excitation of said liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. closing a shutoff valve of the device;   b. draining the device of air;   c. establishing a flow through the device of the first liquid;   d. recording the flow of the first liquid using a flow meter of the device.   e. converting the first liquid using resonance excitation;   f. establishing if the converted material should be recirculated, and to what percentage, back into the first and or second liquid mix for a multiple exposure to resonance excitation.   g. If the first liquid needs additional cutter liquid, mixing the first liquid with one or more other liquids which have a lower viscosity;   h. producing a preferred viscosity by determining an optimal ratio between the first liquid and the one or more other liquids using a flow meter;   i. modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of a viscometer, a density meter, or a mass meter; and,   j. monitoring the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a preferred blend ratio thereof; and performing a fractioning process on said liquids.   k. placing the processed liquid through a heating system and into a reciprocal, selected from a heated tank, heated pipeline and/or a heated tanker for a period of curing time to effect the viscosity improvement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more liquids mixed with the first liquid are of a lower density than the first liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more liquids constitute a diluent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid is bitumen, paraffin wax or other heavy oil. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid comprises a mixture of two or more other liquids or liquids mixed with solids. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first liquid is DilBit or a heavy hydrocarbon liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of heating the first liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first liquid is heated to a temperature equal to or above the Initial Boiling Point of the first liquid; 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet pressure of the first liquid is maintained at a minimum of 1 bar (or 14.504 psi) and not higher than 10 bar (or 145.038 psi). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge pressure of an at least one liquid is maintained at a pressure equal to at least the suction pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure does not exceed 10 bar (145.038 PSI) above the suction pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first liquid is a hydrogen-bonded liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen-bonded liquid is a heavy fuel oil. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first liquid is a high paraffinic crude oil. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first liquid is a Bitumen, DilBit, Dilsynbit, Neatbit, Railbit, Synbit, Treater Blend DilBit, standard DilBit, lightened Dilbit, enhanced DilBit, emulsion, conventional light oil, conventional oil medium, convention oil heavy, sweet oil, sour oil, hydrocarbon liquid blended with coal, hydrocarbon mixed with H 2 O. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fractioning process comprises:
 a. diverting a portion of a general flow of the first liquid and treating the first liquid to resonance excitation;   b. establishing if the converted material should be recirculated, and to what percentage, back into the first and or second liquid mix for a multiple exposure to resonance excitation.   c. combining the diverted portion of the converted first liquid and a non-diverted portion of the general flow of said, first liquid; and,   d. feeding the combined liquid into a fractioning tower.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the non-diverted portion of the general flow is also treated with resonance excitation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the steps of:
 a. returning a portion of a residual fraction from the fractioning tower back into the fractioning tower; and   b. subjecting the returned residual fraction to a preliminary conversion treatment with resonance excitation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of diluting the first liquid comprises the addition of a diluent to the first liquid, and further wherein, the diluent is provided through a separate line in the device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first liquid is mixed with one or more other liquids, wherein the one or more other liquids are a light hydrocarbon, and further wherein, the addition of the one or more other liquids reduces the viscosity and/or specific gravity of the first liquid. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first liquid is mixed with a condensate, and further wherein, the addition of the condensate reduces one or more of the viscosity or specific gravity of the first liquid. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first liquid is mixed with a Hydrocarbon Diluent, and further wherein, the addition of the Hydrocarbon Diluent reduces one or more of the viscosity or specific gravity of the first liquid. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids is done using resonance excitation generated by an electric motor producing 2950-2999 RPM. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids is done using a resonance excitation generating a frequency between 1 kHz-64 kHz 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids are passed through a solid state magnetic flux field of no less than: Coercive force: 12.3 kOe, 955 KA/mg; Magnetic induction: 13.0-13.2 kG; Magnetic energy: 40-42 MG-Oe, 318-342 KJ/m3. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids using an electric motor to produce the basic frequency of resonance excitation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the first liquid is reduced by:
 a. moving the first liquid and one or more other liquids into a cavity of a rotor, accelerated by an inner impeller comprised of a set of backwards curved, aero foiled centrifugal blades, that rotates inside a single walled stator of the device; and   b. discharging the liquids through a series of outlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference of the rotor, into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall (stator) and the peripheral circumference of the rotor, at which point the resonant excitation of the mixture of liquids is converted.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the first liquid is reduced using resonance excitation, with or without solid state magnetic influence by:
 a. moving the first liquid and one or more other liquids into a cavity of a rotor, accelerated by an inner impeller comprised of a set of backwards curved, aero foiled centrifugal blades, that rotates inside a stator of the device; and   b. discharging the liquids through a series of outlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference of the rotor, into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall (stator) and the peripheral circumference of the rotor, at which point the resonant excitation of the mixture of liquids is affected.   c. Passing the pre and post processed liquid through a solid state magnetic flux field.   d. Putting the processed liquid into a heated environment for a period of time.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of controlling the rotation frequency of the rotor is based one or more of the following factors, the viscosity of the first and one or more other liquids, the pour point, flash point of the first and one or more other liquids, the asphaltene and wax content of the first and one or more other liquids, the paraffin content of the first and one or more other liquids, the flow temperature of the first and one or more other liquids, the chemical composition of the first and one or more other liquids, and the rheology of the first and one or more other liquids. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid is maintained in a heated storage vessel following resonance excitation with or without solid state magnetic influence, further wherein, the resonance excitation, with or without solid state magnetic influence, was for a time period of no less than 1 minute and no more than 10 hours following the exposure of the first liquid to the resonance excitation. This heat and time process is known as ART-TMP, or a “Thermal Maturing Period”. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 ,wherein the first liquid is maintained in a general product pipe line, which can store the first liquid following exposure of the first liquid to the resonance excitation, with or without solid state magnetic influence. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion, between 1%-100%, of the first liquid is diverted, recirculated back into the preprocessed inflow into the device following the exit of the first liquid from the device. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the rotation frequency (RPM) of the rotor is determined based on at least one of, the viscosity of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the pour point the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, flash point of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the asphaltene and wax content of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the paraffin content of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the flow temperature of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the chemical composition of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the frequency of the rotor in the HE-ART Converter Device, and the rheology of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a flow through the device of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids comprises the step of installing solid state magnets on the casing of the device configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the solid state magnets are installed on the inlet flange of the device configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the solid state magnets are installed on the discharge flange of the device configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the solid state magnets are installed on the diluent line of the device configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the solid state magnets are installed on the recirculation line of the device configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the heating of the first liquid occurs once and further wherein, the first liquid is heated to a temperature of 30° C.-99° C. to complete the process of resonant excitation of an at least one liquid. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flow one of the first liquid is mediated through the installation on the device of additional gaskets that are comprised of one or more of copper, zinc or other materials of natural mineral origin on the intake flange of the device, and further wherein the additional gaskets are configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pre-installation of the additional gaskets that are comprised of one or more of copper, zinc or other materials of natural mineral origin on the discharge flange of the device and further wherein the additional gaskets are configured for resonance excitation. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pre-installation of insulation kits on all bolts and flanges. 
     
     
         43 . These are comprised of nylon sleeves, natural gaskets and O-ring seals so as to reduce frequency travel along the process flow piping. 
     
     
         43 . A method for increasing the molecular stability and increasing light hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a solid state magnetic flux field of the first liquid using a device configured for resonance excitation of said first liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. establishing a flow through the device of the first liquid;   b. recording the flow of the first liquid using a flow meter of the device;   c. diluting the first liquid with a one or more other liquids of relatively lower density wherein the first liquid and the one or more other liquids are mixed using resonance excitation;   d. establishing a desired ratio between the first liquid and the one or more other liquids using the flow meter;   e. modulating the flow of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids using at least one or more of, a viscometer, a density meter, or a mass meter;   f. monitoring the viscosity of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids;   g. recirculating a portion of a general flow of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids that is subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation;   h. combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids; and   i. feeding the combined first liquid and the one or more other liquids into a fractioning tower.   
     
     
         44 . A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a solid state magnetic flux field of a heavy fuel oil using a device configured for resonance excitation of said heavy fuel oil, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. establishing a flow through the device of the heavy fuel oil;   b. recording the flow of the heavy fuel oil using a flow meter;   c. diluting the heavy fuel oil with a light hydrocarbon liquid of relatively lower density by mixing the heavy fuel oil and hydrocarbon liquid using resonance excitation;   d. establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using the flow meter;   e. modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of, a viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter;   f. monitoring the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof;   g. recirculating a portion of a general flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation;   h. combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of said liquid; and   i. feeding the combined liquid into a fractioning tower.   
     
     
         45 . A method for separating hydrocarbon material from H 2 O using a device configured for resonance excitation of said Hydrocarbon polluted H 2 O, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. establishing a flow through the device of the Hydrocarbon and H 2 O mixed liquid;   b. Establishing the need for diverting a portion of the resonance excitation processed material or allowing all the processed material to go to point e.   c. diverting a portion of a general flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation;   d. combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of said liquid; and   e. feeding the combined processed liquid into settling tank for a period of time between 1 hr and 48 hrs.   f. After the settling period completes. Using industry standard techniques, extract each stratified liquid separately.   
     
     
         46 . A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a solid state magnetic flux field of a heavy fuel oil using a device configured for resonance excitation of said heavy fuel oil, the method comprising the steps of:
 j. establishing a flow through the device of the heavy hydrocarbon liquid;   k. recording the flow of the heavy hydrocarbon liquid using a flow meter;   l. diluting the heavy hydrocarbon liquid oil with a light hydrocarbon liquid of relatively lower density by mixing the heavy hydrocarbon liquid and lighter hydrocarbon liquid using resonance excitation with or without solid state magnetic flux influence;   m. establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using the flow meter;   n. modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of, a viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter;   o. monitoring the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof;   p. recirculating a portion of a general flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation;   q. combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of said liquid; and   r. placing the processed material into a heated environment for a period of time to effect the lowering of viscosity.