Systems and methods are provided for partial upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon feeds to meet transport specifications, such as pipeline transport specifications. The systems and methods can allow for one or more types of improvement in heavy hydrocarbon processing prior to transport. In some aspects, the systems and methods can produce a partially upgraded heavy hydrocarbon product that satisfies one or more transport specifications while incorporating an increased amount of vacuum gas oil and a reduced amount of pitch into the partially upgraded heavy hydrocarbon product. In other aspects, the systems and methods can allow for increased incorporation of hydrocarbons into the fraction upgraded for transport, thereby reducing or minimizing the amount of hydrocarbons requiring an alternative method of disposal or transport. In still other aspects, the systems and methods can allow for reduced incorporation of external streams into the final product for transport while still satisfying one or more target properties.

Processes and systems for upgrading a hydrocarbon-containing feed. The hydrocarbon containing feed and a plurality of fluidized particles can be fed into a pyrolysis reaction zone. The plurality of fluidized particles can have a first temperature that can be sufficiently high to enable pyrolysis of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed on contacting the particles. The particles can include an oxide of a transition metal element capable of oxidizing molecular hydrogen at the first temperature. The hydrocarbon-containing feed can be contacted with the particles in the pyrolysis reaction zone to effect pyrolysis of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed to produce a pyrolysis effluent. At least a portion of the transition metal element in the particles in the pyrolysis effluent can be at a reduced state compared to the transition metal element in the particles fed into the pyrolysis reaction zone.

Processes and systems for upgrading a hydrocarbon-containing feed. The hydrocarbon containing feed and a plurality of fluidized particles can be fed into a pyrolysis reaction zone. The plurality of fluidized particles can have a first temperature that can be sufficiently high to enable pyrolysis of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed on contacting the particles. The particles can include an oxide of a transition metal element capable of oxidizing molecular hydrogen at the first temperature. The hydrocarbon-containing feed can be contacted with the particles in the pyrolysis reaction zone to effect pyrolysis of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed to produce a pyrolysis effluent. At least a portion of the transition metal element in the particles in the pyrolysis effluent can be at a reduced state compared to the transition metal element in the particles fed into the pyrolysis reaction zone.

A reactor (12, 128, 198) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 128, 198) having a unique feed assembly (58, 136, 200) with an original vortex disk-like inlet flow spaces (72, 74, 76, 80, 146, 148, 150, 152, 208, 216, 218), a converging-diverging vortex mixing chamber (116), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40). This design creates a small combustion zone and an inwardly swirling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases that passes through a converging conduit (48) with a constricted neck portion (54). This provides conditions suitable for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, to form olefins.

A reactor (12, 128, 198) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 128, 198) having a unique feed assembly (58, 136, 200) with an original vortex disk-like inlet flow spaces (72, 74, 76, 80, 146, 148, 150, 152, 208, 216, 218), a converging-diverging vortex mixing chamber (116), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40). This design creates a small combustion zone and an inwardly swirling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases that passes through a converging conduit (48) with a constricted neck portion (54). This provides conditions suitable for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, to form olefins.

A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

A system is provided that enables a continuous process that involves the introduction of particles into a reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. Heavy hydrocarbons are boiled off of the particles during the heating of the particles. The boiled off heavy hydrocarbons mix with a heated gas stream that heats the particles within the reactor drum. The heated gas stream (with the boiled off heavy hydrocarbons) exit the drum and are recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas stream prior to reentering the reactor drum. Repeated exposure to the elevated temperatures within the reactor drum cracks the heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons. The lighter hydrocarbons may then be separated out of the heated gas stream and collected for sale or use.

The present invention relates to decreasing the amount of diluent needed to convert a heavy oil to a bitumen product that can be transported by pipeline. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for partially upgrading heavy oil into a lower viscosity bitumen product.

The present invention relates to decreasing the amount of diluent needed to convert a heavy oil to a bitumen product that can be transported by pipeline. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for partially upgrading heavy oil into a lower viscosity bitumen product.

Non-condensable gas is used as an alternate to steam at hydrocarbon processing facilities removing any steam requirements thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving profitability through capital and operating cost reductions. The non-condensable gas serves at least two functions sequentially in heavy hydrocarbon processing; firstly, providing the non-condensable gas as a stripping medium to evolve lighter hydrocarbons from the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock followed by secondly directing the same non-condensable gas and any evolved non-condensable gas at operating conditions for use as at least one of heat through combustion or power through electricity generation.