Some Japanese articles
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【Detailed Description of the Invention】【Technical Field】【0001】 The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for modifying heavy oil that has a relatively high specific gravity and is suitable for modifying materials such as oil sands. Here, heavy oil refers to heavy hydrocarbons that include oil sands, heavy crude oil, vacuum residue oil (asphalt), etc.; these hydrocarbons are difficult to utilize effectively on their own without treatments such as reducing their viscosity. 【Background Technology】 【0002】 Moreover, \"heavy oil\" is a fossil resource similar to petroleum and coal, and its reserves are said to be on par with those of current petroleum. For this reason, it is attracting attention as a next-generation petroleum-based resource. 【０００３】 However, heavy oils are sticky like jelly (high viscosity), and they also have a high sulfur content; as a result, many of them cannot be used as they are. 【０００４】 Therefore, it is necessary to carry out modifications such as reducing viscosity (decomposition) and desulfurization in order to make it useful. 【0005】 As a method for this purpose, a technique has been proposed in which heavy oil is subjected to supercritical water reactions or subcritical water reactions to reduce its viscosity (by decomposing it), thereby obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from the heavy oil. 【０００６】 Figure 1 shows a model diagram of heavy oil decomposition using supercritical water. 【０００７】 (a) The intermolecular bonds of heavy oil are broken using the energy of supercritical water or subcritical water. 【０００８】 (b) A low-viscosity oil fraction (modified oil) is formed, while the sulfur content dissolves in water and separates from the oil fraction. 【０００９】 (c) By separating the emulsion into oil and water and removing the water, desulfurized oil is obtained. 【0010】 For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which heavy oil is brought into contact with high-temperature hot water containing supercritical water within a reaction vessel to react with it, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil to make it lighter (as stated in the claims, etc.). The temperature condition specified is 300–400°C, and it is indicated that an alkaline solution can be used as the supply water as needed (see paragraph 0006). 【００１１】 It is also stated that the viscosity (at 50°C) of the resulting light oil (reformed oil) is 1500–1600 cP (1.5–1.6 Pa·s) (paragraph 0017). 【００１２】 Patent Document 2 describes a method for converting heavy oil into a fluid fuel suitable for use in power generation equipment, which includes a supercritical reaction process in which an emulsion formed by mixing heavy oil with water and an alkali is maintained at supercritical temperature and pressure of water in order to decompose the heavy oil, thereby producing hydrocarbon gases, oils, metal oxides, alkaline salts, and supercritical water; an extraction process in which the decomposition products obtained in the supercritical reaction process are maintained at subcritical temperature and pressure of water or lower, so as to extract hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water from those decomposition products; a gas-liquid separation process in which the hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water extracted in the extraction process are separated into hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water; and an oil-water separation process in which the light oils and water separated in the gas-liquid separation process are further separated into light oil and water. 」(It is described as cited from Claim 1.) 【0013】 Furthermore, the addition of alkali in this literature is intended for a reaction with sulfur oxides (paragraph 0010). 【００１４】 Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a method for improving the quality of poor-quality fuel, which is characterized by comprising a solution addition step in which an alkaline aqueous solution is added to such poor-quality fuel, which is an oil containing organic polymers and sulfur components bound to them; and a hydrothermal reaction treatment step that follows this solution addition step, during which the poor-quality fuel is placed under high temperature and pressure to induce a hydrothermal reaction and thereby decompose the organic polymers. 」(It is described as cited from Claim 1.) 【0015】 The alkaline aqueous solution in this document serves the purpose of desulfurization, just as in the aforementioned Patent Document 2 (paragraph 0017). 【Patent Document 1】Publication No. Tokkai Hei 6-279763 【Patent Document 2】Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109850 【Patent Document 3】Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109851 【Disclosure of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0016】 The present invention relates to the use of supercritical water reactions or subcritical water reactions (hereinafter referred to as \"supercritical water reactions, etc.\") for heavy oil. It aims to provide a new method and apparatus for modifying heavy oil, which includes a reaction process that involves causing such reactions to occur in order to form an emulsion, thereby enabling the production of low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil; this approach promises an improvement in the level of modification, such as a reduction in viscosity. 【Means for solving the problem】 【0017】 In the course of their diligent efforts in development and research, the inventors discovered that by adjusting the pH (hydrogen ion index) of the water supplied in the aforementioned reaction process to an intermediate alkaline range, the supercritical water reactions of heavy oils could be promoted, thereby facilitating a high degree of emulsification (reduction in viscosity). This led to the conception of the present invention with its specified structure. 【0018】 In a method for continuously producing low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil, which involves a reaction process in which an emulsion is generated through reactions such as supercritical water reactions of the heavy oil fed into a continuous reactor, it is characterized in that the pH of the feed water is adjusted to 7.5–12, and preferably to 8.0–11, before being supplied to the reactor.
【Detailed Description of the Invention】【Technical Field】【0001】 The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for modifying heavy oil that has a relatively high specific gravity and is suitable for modifying materials such as oil sands. Here, heavy oil refers to heavy hydrocarbons that include oil sands, heavy crude oil, vacuum residue oil (asphalt), etc.; these hydrocarbons are difficult to utilize effectively on their own without treatments such as reducing their viscosity. I will translate this paragraph first, and translate the other parts gradually. (Detailed Description of the Invention) (Technical Field) (0001) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil, and more particularly to a modification method and apparatus suitable for modifying orris oil (a type of heavy oil) with a relatively high specific gravity. Here, so-called heavy oils include Oril oil, heavy crude oil, vacuum residue, etc., as well as heavy hydrocarbons that can be made less viscous on their own but are difficult to utilize effectively.
【０００２】 Moreover, \"heavy oil\" is a fossil resource, just like petroleum and coal, and its reserves are said to be on par with those of current petroleum. For this reason, it is attracting attention as a next-generation petroleum-based resource. (0002) Heavy oil is a fossil resource, just like petroleum and coal; its reserves can be said to be on par with those of current petroleum. Therefore, oil-based resources will continue to receive attention as the resources of the next era. This post was last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 13:36.]
【０００３】 However, heavy oils are sticky like jelly (high viscosity), and they also have a high sulfur content; as a result, many of them cannot be used as they are. 【０００４】 Therefore, it is necessary to carry out modifications such as reducing viscosity (decomposition) and desulfurization in order to make it useful. (0003) Moreover, heavy oil has a viscosity similar to that of sugar syrup (high viscosity), and it also contains high levels of sulfur; in many cases, it cannot be used directly. (0004) Therefore, useful treatment such as viscosity reduction (pyrolysis) and desulfurization must be carried out. This post was last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 16:34.]
【0005】 As a method for this purpose, a technique has been proposed in which heavy oil is subjected to supercritical water reactions or subcritical water reactions to reduce its viscosity (by decomposing it), thereby obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from the heavy oil. 【０００６】 Figure 1 shows a model diagram of heavy oil decomposition using supercritical water. (0005) The proposed method is a technique for obtaining low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil by reacting it with supercritical water or subcritical water, thereby achieving viscosity reduction (pyrolysis). (0006) Figure 1 shows a model for the decomposition of heavy oil using supercritical water.
【０００7】 (a) The intermolecular bonds of heavy oil are broken down using the energy of supercritical water or subcritical water. 【０００８】 (b) A low-viscosity oil fraction (modified oil) is formed, while the sulfur content dissolves in water and separates from the oil fraction. 【０００９】 (c) By separating the emulsion into oil and water and removing the water, desulfurized oil is obtained. (0007) (a) Using energy from supercritical or subcritical water to break down the molecules of heavy oil. (0008) (b) As the viscosity-reducing component oil (modified oil) is formed, sulfur compounds dissolve in water and are removed from the oil. (0009) (C) The emulsion is subjected to oil-gas separation to remove water, thereby obtaining desulfurized oil products.
【0010】 For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which heavy oil is brought into contact with high-temperature hot water containing supercritical water within a reaction vessel to react with it, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil to make it lighter (as stated in the claims, etc.). The temperature condition specified is 300–400°C, and it is indicated that an alkaline solution can be used as the supply water as needed (see paragraph 0006). 【００１１】 It is also stated that the viscosity (at 50°C) of the resulting light oil (reformed oil) is 1500–1600 cP (1.5–1.6 Pa·s) (paragraph 0017). (0010) For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which “heavy oil is brought into contact with high-temperature hot water containing supercritical water in a reaction vessel to undergo a reaction and become lighter in viscosity” (the scope of the patent application, etc.); the temperature condition is 300–400°C, and an appropriate alkaline solution can be used for the water supply (see paragraph 0006). (0011) Furthermore, the viscosity of the resulting light oil at 50°C was recorded to be 1500–1600 cP (1.5–1.6 Pa·s) (paragraph 0017). This post was last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 at 17:13.]
【００１２】 Patent Document 2 describes a method for converting heavy oil into a fluid fuel suitable for use in power generation equipment, which includes a supercritical reaction process in which an emulsion formed by mixing heavy oil with water and an alkali is maintained at supercritical temperature and pressure of water in order to decompose the heavy oil, thereby producing hydrocarbon gases, oils, metal oxides, alkaline salts, and supercritical water; an extraction process in which the decomposition products obtained in the supercritical reaction process are maintained at subcritical temperature and pressure of water or lower, so as to extract hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water from those decomposition products; a gas-liquid separation process in which the hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water extracted in the extraction process are separated into hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water; and an oil-water separation process in which the light oils and water separated in the gas-liquid separation process are further separated into light oil and water. 」(It is described as cited from Claim 1.) (0012) Patent Document 2 describes that \"a supercritical process is included: by maintaining an emulsion formed by mixing heavy oil with water and alkali at the temperature and pressure corresponding to the supercritical state of water, the aforementioned heavy oil can be decomposed to produce hydrocarbon gases, oils, metal oxides, alkali metal salts, and supercritical water\" ； Extraction process: By maintaining temperatures and pressures at or below the subcritical state of water, hydrocarbon gases, light oils, and water can be extracted from the decomposition products obtained through the aforementioned supercritical process ； Gas-liquid separation process: The mixture of hydrocarbon gases, light oil components, and water separated in the previous extraction step is subjected to gas-liquid separation, resulting in hydrocarbon gases and an oil-water mixture ； Oil-water separation process: The aforementioned oil-water mixture is further separated into light oil and water, and a method for converting the heavy oil obtained in this process into liquid fuel for power generation equipment” (referencing claim 1). This passage is quite difficult to translate; it does not conform to Chinese conventions. In essence, it is a method for converting heavy oil into liquid fuel for power generation equipment, which includes supercritical processing, extraction processes, gas-liquid separation processes, and oil-water separation processes. In short, Japanese expressions are very wordy. This post was last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 17:46.]
【0013】 Furthermore, the addition of alkali in this literature is intended for a reaction with sulfur oxides (paragraph 0010). Furthermore, in this literature, the addition of base is determined based on the reaction of sulfides. 【００１４】 Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a method for improving the quality of poor-quality fuel, which is characterized by comprising a solution addition step in which an alkaline aqueous solution is added to such poor-quality fuel, which is an oil containing organic polymers and sulfur components bound to them; and a hydrothermal reaction treatment step that follows this solution addition step, during which the poor-quality fuel is placed under high temperature and pressure to induce a hydrothermal reaction and thereby decompose the organic polymers. 」(It is described as cited from Claim 1.) Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes \"including a water solution addition process: adding an alkaline solution to low-quality fuel (oils containing organic polymers and sulfur-containing polymers)\" ； Hydrothermal reaction treatment process: A method for improving the quality of low-quality fuels, characterized by hydrothermal reactions occurring in the aforementioned mixture under high temperature and pressure conditions, leading to the decomposition of organic polymers (as stated in Claim 1). 【0015】 The alkaline aqueous solution in this document serves the purpose of desulfurization, just as in the aforementioned Patent Document 2 (paragraph 0017). 【Patent Document 1】Publication No. Tokkai Hei 6-279763 【Patent Document 2】Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109850 【Patent Document 3】Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109851 【Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 In this document, the alkaline solution is used for desulfurization purposes, just as in Patent Document 2 mentioned above. (Patent Document 1) Publication No. Tokkai Hei 6-279763 (Patent Document 2) Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109850 (Patent Document 3) Publication No. Tokkai 2000-109851 (Disclosure of the invention) (Disclosure: not found; may be a specialized term) (The invention is intended to solve certain problems encountered in use) Last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 at 18:19]
【0016】 The present invention relates to the use of heavy oil in supercritical water reactions or subcritical water reactions (hereinafter referred to as \"supercritical water reactions, etc.\"). It aims to provide a new method and apparatus for modifying heavy oil, which includes a reaction process that involves causing such reactions to occur in order to form an emulsion, thereby enabling the production of low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil; this approach promises an improvement in the level of modification, such as a reduction in viscosity. 【Means for solving the problem】 (0016) The present invention includes a reaction process in which heavy oil undergoes a supercritical water reaction or a subcritical water reaction (hereinafter referred to as “supercritical water reactions, etc.”) to produce an emulsion, and provides a new method and apparatus for modifying heavy oil that enables an improvement in the level of modification such as viscosity reduction when obtaining a low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil. 【0017】 In the course of their diligent efforts in development and research, the inventors discovered that by adjusting the pH (hydrogen ion index) of the water supplied in the aforementioned reaction process to an intermediate alkaline range, the supercritical water reactions of heavy oils could be promoted, thereby facilitating a high degree of emulsification (reduction in viscosity). This led them to conceive of the present invention with the structure described below. In the course of their diligent development and research efforts, the inventors discovered that by adjusting the pH (hydrogen ion index) of the water supplied to the aforementioned reaction process to an alkaline or neutral level, it is possible to promote high-level emulsification (viscosity reduction) in reactions such as the supercritical water reaction of heavy oils. 【0018】 In a method for continuously producing low-viscosity modified oil from heavy oil, which involves a reaction process in which an emulsion is generated through reactions such as supercritical water reactions of the heavy oil fed into a continuous reactor, it is characterized in that the pH of the feed water is adjusted to 7.5–12, and preferably to 8.0–11, before being supplied to the reactor. The present invention is characterized by a reaction process that involves pressurizing and feeding heavy oil into a continuous reactor using supercritical water reactions or the like to generate an emulsion, as well as a method for continuously obtaining a low-viscosity modified product from heavy oil; the pH of the aforementioned raw water is adjusted to 8.0–11 before it is fed into the reactor. I’ve finally finished translating it; there might be some inaccuracies in certain parts, so please feel free to point them out. This paper is quite good; it describes a method for the supercritical water cracking of heavy oils. Currently, no such processes or equipment exist in China. This post was last edited by zhonghe998 on 2009-3-25 18:51.]