A method and apparatus break down compounds, typically hydrocarbons, through oxidation. The compounds may still be in-situ or in a man-made location. The method for the processing of hydrocarbons within a location, provides for: a) introducing two electrodes into the location containing the hydrocarbons; b) providing connections between a voltage source and the electrodes; c) applying a voltage of a first polarity to the connections for a first period of time, under the control of a voltage controller; d) applying a voltage of a second, reversed, polarity to the connections for a second period of time, under the control of the voltage controller; e) repeating steps c) and d); steps c), d) and e) promoting the generation of free radicals thereby promoting a reduction in the length of the carbon chain and/or a reduction in the sulphur content and/or a reduction in the heavy metal content of the hydrocarbons.

There is provided a method and apparatus for indirect magnetic treatment of fluids/gases, where a magnetic or electromagnetic field having a certain dimension, geometry and flux density is, in a first step, applied to a working fluid/gas to obtain the directly magnetized fluid/gas. Then the directly magnetized fluid/gas is used in a second step as a magnetizer or a magnetic treating agent for magnetizing indirectly the normal non-magnetized fluid/gas by mixing the directly magnetized fluid/gas and normal non-magnetized fluid/gas in accordance with a predetermined mixing ratio and mixing method between the directly magnetized fluid/gas and normal non-magnetized working fluid/gas. Afterwards, the resultant mixed or indirectly-magnetized fluid/gas is used in the proper application directly or stored in a storage tank for later use. Possible applications for the invention include, but not limited to, all previous applications of the direct magnetic treatment of fluid/gas such as water treatment, hydrocarbon fuel treatment.

There is provided a method and apparatus for indirect magnetic treatment of fluids/gases, where a magnetic or electromagnetic field having a certain dimension, geometry and flux density is, in a first step, applied to a working fluid/gas to obtain the directly magnetized fluid/gas. Then the directly magnetized fluid/gas is used in a second step as a magnetizer or a magnetic treating agent for magnetizing indirectly the normal non-magnetized fluid/gas by mixing the directly magnetized fluid/gas and normal non-magnetized fluid/gas in accordance with a predetermined mixing ratio and mixing method between the directly magnetized fluid/gas and normal non-magnetized working fluid/gas. Afterwards, the resultant mixed or indirectly-magnetized fluid/gas is used in the proper application directly or stored in a storage tank for later use. Possible applications for the invention include, but not limited to, all previous applications of the direct magnetic treatment of fluid/gas such as water treatment, hydrocarbon fuel treatment.

A method and system for reducing viscosity in the crude oil and the empowerment of its dehydration process pass crude oil over a core that ionizes-polarizes the crude oil with an electrostatic charge. The metal bar core made of an alloy which includes, a weight of, 40-70% copper, 10-32% nickel, 15-40% zinc, 2-20% tin, and 0.05-10% silver. The metal bar core comprises a plurality of grooves, which allows crude oil to be agitated as it comes in contact with the core, activating an electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge of the core creates a magnetic catalytic reaction that causes: (1) a molecular separation in the molecular chains within crude oil thereby lowering the viscosity and (2) stretches and twists caused by the molecular ionization-polarization of crude oil, causes that this release accordingly congenital or added water that is trapped in it, resulting in a potentiation of the dehydration of crude oil.

A method and system for reducing viscosity in the crude oil and the empowerment of its dehydration process pass crude oil over a core that ionizes-polarizes the crude oil with an electrostatic charge. The metal bar core made of an alloy which includes, a weight of, 40-70% copper, 10-32% nickel, 15-40% zinc, 2-20% tin, and 0.05-10% silver. The metal bar core comprises a plurality of grooves, which allows crude oil to be agitated as it comes in contact with the core, activating an electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge of the core creates a magnetic catalytic reaction that causes: (1) a molecular separation in the molecular chains within crude oil thereby lowering the viscosity and (2) stretches and twists caused by the molecular ionization-polarization of crude oil, causes that this release accordingly congenital or added water that is trapped in it, resulting in a potentiation of the dehydration of crude oil.

Methods are provided for enhancing oxidative molecular weight reduction in a hydrocarbon-containing material. For example, some methods include (a) providing a first hydrocarbon-containing material comprising a first hydrocarbon, said first hydrocarbon-containing material having been exposed to irradiation from a beam of particles, the beam of particles imparting one or more functional groups to said first hydrocarbon containing material; and (b) oxidizing the first hydrocarbon-containing material with one or more oxidants in the presence of one or more compounds comprising one or more naturally-occurring, non-radioactive group 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 or 11 elements, the one or more elements participating in a Fenton-type reaction while oxidizing, to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing material comprising a second hydrocarbon, the second hydrocarbon having a molecular weight lower than that of the first hydrocarbon, the functional groups enhancing the effectiveness of the oxidizing reaction.

A process for treating heavy oil to provide a treated heavy oil having a reduced density and viscosity, as well as an olefin content that does not exceed 1.0 wt. %. The process comprises separating the initial heavy oil into a first fraction, which in general contains lower-boiling components, and a second fraction. The second fraction comprises a heavy oil having a p-value of at least 5% greater than the p-value of the initial heavy oil prior to separating the initial heavy oil into the first fraction and the second fraction, and the second fraction has an aromaticity that is no more than 5% less than the aromaticity of the initial heavy oil prior to separating the initial heavy oil into the first fraction and the second fraction. The second fraction then is upgraded to reduce the density and viscosity of the heavy oil. After the second fraction is upgraded, it is recombined with at least a portion of the first fraction to provide a treated heavy oil having an olefin content that does not exceed 1.0 wt. %. The separation of the initial heavy oil into first and second fractions enables one to achieve improved reduction of the density and viscosity of the treated heavy oil while maintaining the olefin content at an acceptable level.

A process for treating heavy oil to provide a treated heavy oil having a reduced density and viscosity, as well as an olefin content that does not exceed 1.0 wt. %. The process comprises separating the initial heavy oil into a first fraction, which in general contains lower-boiling components, and a second fraction. The second fraction comprises a heavy oil having a p-value of at least 5% greater than the p-value of the initial heavy oil prior to separating the initial heavy oil into the first fraction and the second fraction, and the second fraction has an aromaticity that is no more than 5% less than the aromaticity of the initial heavy oil prior to separating the initial heavy oil into the first fraction and the second fraction. The second fraction then is upgraded to reduce the density and viscosity of the heavy oil. After the second fraction is upgraded, it is recombined with at least a portion of the first fraction to provide a treated heavy oil having an olefin content that does not exceed 1.0 wt. %. The separation of the initial heavy oil into first and second fractions enables one to achieve improved reduction of the density and viscosity of the treated heavy oil while maintaining the olefin content at an acceptable level.

A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.

A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.