Project: Collision enhanced upgrading of extra heavy and heavy oil into light oil.
The project aims at validating and developing a new innovative technology to be used for upgrading of extra heavy and heavy crude oil. Designated Viscositor, the fluid bed based technology makes use of the thermodynamic impact from oil droplets colliding with hot solid particles. The Viscositor technology is enclosed in a compact fluidized bed oil cracker/combustor concept that inherently includes high-temperature steam generation. The target of the project is to bring Viscositor closer to commercialisation. The end-users belong to a growing market made up by producers of extra heavy and heavy crude oil. Typical of this strategic market is immediate need for improved flow conditions of oil pertaining to extraction and transport, and – if appropriate – production of required diluent oil next to the wellhead._x000D__x000D_The process concept relies upon high energy dissipation through the collision of 40 to 60 m/s hot solids jets at 100 to 200 kg/m3 capable of breaking the viscous bridges at molecular level. The reaction enthalpy required for thermo-mechanical upgrading is provided from the regeneration of the solids, from which residual coke is burnt off. Hydrogenation is further supported by high-temperature steam instantly impacted with the local temperature peaks caused by colliding particles, thus, enhancing desired hot spot reactions in addition to the gas/water shift creating hydrogen in the presence of carbon mono oxide and water at the operating temperature 450 - 525 C._x000D__x000D_The solids to be used are naturally occurring mineral particles. Treated Olivine is used as reference material owing to its tar cracking benefits. Furthermore, the Viscositor process is complementary to common extraction techniques because it also provides a part of the auxiliary steam required. In current operations, steam is usually generated from natural gas, representing additional cost and environmental impact._x000D_
| Acronym | VISCOSITOR (Reference Number: 8474) |
| Duration | 05/04/2013 - 05/03/2015 |
| Project Topic | The project aims at validating and introducing a new innovative technology to be used for upgrading heavy and extra heavy crude oil. Designated Viscositor, the technology makes use of the thermodynamic impact from oil droplets colliding with hot solid particles with innovative configurations. |
| Network | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars Cut-Off 10 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | ELLYCRACK AS | Coordinator | Norway |
| 3 | FluidOil Limited | Partner | United Kingdom |
| 3 | Proveedora y Manufacturera de Productos papa Equipos Petroleros, S.A. de V.V | Partner | Mexico |