METHOD FOR CONVERTING HEAVY OIL RESIDUUM TO USEFUL FUEL AND PRESSURIZED FUEL USED FOR DIRECT BURNING PREPARED THEREBY

摘要

PURPOSE: Provided is a method for converting heavy oil residuum having a substantially non-flowable viscosity to useful combustible fuel and a pressurized fuel used for direct burning prepared by the method. CONSTITUTION: The method comprises steps of (a) providing a source of heavy oil liquid residuum having a substantially non-flowable viscosity; (b) reducing the viscosity of the residuum by preheating it to a temperature range sufficient to facilitate flow without thermally degrading the residuum (c) providing a mixing means; (d) providing a source of water; (e) mixing the water with the residuum having the reduced viscosity in the mixing means to form an emulsion of predispersed residuum in an aqueous matrix with a size distribution suitable for use as a combustible fuel in the mixing means; and (f) maintaining the emulsion under pressure to prevent dehydration of the emulsion.