PROCESS FOR IMPROVING THE TRANSPORTABILITY OF A HEAVY CRUDE OIL

摘要

A process for improving the transportability of a heavy oil, wherein a part of the heavy oil to be transported is separated out and is degraded to a more liquid substance, which is then mixed with the remaining heavy oil. The separated part of the heavy oil, in mixture with added solid particles and optionally water, is upgraded to a more liquid oil by being cracked in a hammer mill type of apparatus, in which the heat required for the cracking is supplied mechanically. The treated oil, before being mixed with the remaining heavy oil, is subjected to a separation so as to separate out at least a substantial part of its content of solid particles.