A DIFFERENTIAL DIELECTRIC HEATING PROCESS FOR CRUDE PETROLEUM

摘要

The present invention reveals a method and apparatus for removing contaminants, including water, metals and sulfur containing compounds, from crude petroleum by exposing the petroleum to a differential dielectric heating process. This heating process causes high dielectric contaminants to become concentrated within the crude petroleum. The concentrated contaminants are then removed from the petroleum, thereby yielding a higher quality petroleum. The removal of the contaminants from the crude petroleum by this process can be further enhanced by adding a selective compound to the petroleum prior to exposing the petroleum to the differential dielectric heating process or by washing the petroleum following the heating process or by a combination of these methods.