SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REDUCING VISCOSITY OF HYDROCARBONS

摘要

Extracted hydrocarbons, such as bitumen extracted from oil sand deposits, may be mixed with an additive such as natural gas condensate or synthetic crude oil in order to meet transportation specifications for API gravity and viscosity. An amount of additive used may be reduced while still meeting the transportation specifications by subjecting the extracted hydrocarbons to an electric field which may break apart asphaltene agglomerations. The re-agglomeration of asphaltenes may be prevented or impeded by the presence of the additive.