PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING FLOW PROPERTIES OF CRUDE PETROLEUM

摘要

A process for improving flow properties of crude may include processing a first crude stream (5), which may in turn include cracking the first crude stream with fresh catalyst to form a cracked stream (53) and spent catalyst. The spent catalyst may be regenerated to form fresh catalyst, which may then be recycled. At least part of the cracked stream (53) may be mixed with a second crude stream (499). A ratio of part of the cracked stream to add to the second crude stream may be selected to achieve an API gravity of at least about 18. The first crude stream (5) may be heated and stripped before being cracked.