Method for converting heavy oil residuum to a combustible fuel emulsion

摘要

A method for enabling the use of heavy oil residuum by conversion to a useful combustible fuel product is disclosed, wherein the method involves the use of a heavy oil residuum which is substantially non flowable, wherein the viscosity of the residuum is reduced by heat or a combination of heat and a diluent and subsequently mixed with water such that the mixing is high shear mixing. This results in the formation of an emulsion of predispersed residuum in an aqueous matrix. The emulsion is formed such that the aqueous matrix is in a size distribution suitable for use as a combustible fuel and maintaining the emulsion under pressure to prevent dehydration of the emulsion.