Hydrothermal Upgrading of Heavy Oils and Plastics in Aqueous Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inefficient in upgrading heavy and extra-heavy crude oils and residues into valuable fuel products, and there is a need for improved methods to convert plastic waste into biofuels or other products, as well as re-refine used oils to remove contaminants and restore their original condition.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hydrothermal treatment with an aqueous solvent at temperatures above 370°C and pressures above 20 bar, followed by depressurization, to upgrade heavy oils and residues, resulting in products with lower boiling points, reduced viscosity, and lower specific gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional refining methods are used, then light crude oils can be processed efficiently, but heavy and extra-heavy crude oils and residues cannot be effectively upgraded into valuable fuel products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating at elevated temperatures (above 370°C) and pressures (above 20 bar) to enable the upgrading of heavy and extra-heavy crude oils. These modified process parameters allow the hydrothermal treatment to effectively process feedstocks that conventional methods cannot handle, transforming them into valuable fuel products with improved characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an aqueous solvent as an intermediary medium to facilitate the hydrothermal treatment of heavy oils. This aqueous solvent acts as a mediator that enables the transfer of heat and mass during the upgrading process, allowing heavy and extra-heavy crude oils to be effectively processed and converted into upgraded fuel products with reduced viscosity and improved distillation capacity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic waste is disposed of in landfill, then environmental problems are reduced, but processed raw material and energy are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts plastic waste, which is traditionally disposed of in landfill and causes environmental problems, into valuable biofuel products through hydrothermal treatment. This process transforms the harmful waste material into beneficial energy-rich products, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and recovering valuable resources that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrothermal treatment at elevated temperatures (above 370°C) and pressures (above 20 bar) to convert plastic waste into biofuel. These parameter changes enable the thermal and chemical transformation of plastic polymers into liquid fuel products, effectively converting waste into valuable energy resources while reducing environmental harm.
3Duration of action of moving object
If lube oil is used for a certain amount of time, then lubrication function is provided, but contaminants accumulate and oil becomes unfit for further use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts used lube oil containing contaminants into upgraded fuel products through hydrothermal treatment. Instead of simply removing contaminants, the process transforms the entire oil composition, converting the harmful contaminated oil into valuable fuel products with improved characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for traditional disposal methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrothermal treatment at elevated temperatures (above 370°C) and pressures (above 20 bar) to re-refine used lube oil. These parameter changes enable the thermal and chemical breakdown of contaminants and restoration of the oil's useful properties, transforming it from a contaminated waste product into upgraded fuel with reduced viscosity and improved distillation capacity.
4Manufacturing precision
If diesel stripping is performed to remove contaminants, then some purification is achieved, but heavier oil components and residues remain as waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts heavy oil residues and asphaltene aggregates, which are traditionally discarded as waste after diesel stripping, into valuable upgraded fuel products. The hydrothermal treatment process transforms these harmful heavy components into beneficial liquid fuels with improved characteristics, eliminating the loss of valuable materials that occurs in conventional refining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrothermal treatment at elevated temperatures (above 370°C) and pressures (above 20 bar) to process heavy oil residues that cannot be handled by conventional diesel stripping. These parameter changes enable the thermal and chemical transformation of heavy residues into upgraded fuel products with reduced viscosity and improved distillation capacity, recovering valuable materials that would otherwise be lost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively upgrades heavy oils and residues into fuel products with improved distillation capacity, viscosity, and specific gravity, and converts plastic waste into biofuel, enhancing the value and usability of these materials.
Implementation Method 1
treating a mixture of the oil and an aqueous solvent at a temperature of more than 370° C. and at a pressure of more than 20 bar for a suitable time period
Implementation Method 2
depressurising the mixture to obtain an upgraded product
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials. More specifically the present invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy petroleum oils, their residues, and/or polymeric materials by hydrothermal treatment with an aqueous solvent.