Processing a hydrocarbon stream using supercritical water

摘要

A bitumen stream is upgraded by heating to near-critical or super-critical conditions in the stream. The bitumen stream may be from a water-based extraction process, an in situ bitumen recovery process, or a solvent-based bitumen extraction process. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water and/or clay may be added. The clay offers a catalytic effect. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water may alternatively be removed.

主权项

1. A process for upgrading a bitumen production stream, the process comprising:
providing a bitumen production stream; adding clay and/or adding or removing water, where required, to achieve a water content of 10 to 40 wt % and a clay content of 5 to 15 wt % to produce a feed stream; and heating the feed stream to near-critical or super-critical conditions of the water to produce an upgraded bitumen stream and solids; wherein the difference in the specific gravity between the upgraded bitumen stream and the water is greater than the difference in the specific gravity between the bitumen production stream and the water, and the viscosity of the upgraded bitumen stream is lower than the viscosity of the bitumen production stream; and separating the water and solids from the bitumen production stream.