Abstract: A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.

Abstract: A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

Abstract: A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.

Abstract: A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

Abstract: The electrical circuit of power supply includes a series of discharge gaps, storage capacitors, and charging resistors. The work of multispark reactor based on the parallel breakdown of discharge gaps in the mode of self-breakdown. Simultaneous triggering of all gaps is achieved using self-breakdown on the rising edge of voltage, particularly when using the power frequency AC voltage.

Abstract: A device includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a first electrode disposed within the channel, and a second electrode disposed within the channel so as to define a gap between the second electrode and the first electrode. The device further includes a power source connected to at least one of the electrodes. The second electrode includes a lumen from a first end of the second electrode to a second end of the second electrode. The lumen is configured to introduce a carrier gas to the gap. The inlet is configured to introduce a process stream to the channel. The process stream comprises a viscous petroleum feed material. The power source is configured to produce a spark within the gap, thereby generating a plasma configured to reduce a viscosity of the viscous petroleum feed material and to form a processed petroleum material.

Abstract: A system with a non-thermal, repetitively-pulsed gliding discharge reactor for converting gaseous hydrocarbons into liquid fuels efficiently. The system optionally contains a gas separator for removing non-hydrocarbon components from the gaseous hydrocarbon feed to improve efficiency of the system. The system may optionally reclaim hydrogen gas from the product gas for storage, transportation or power generation.

Abstract: A carrier gas jet is injected into a liquid hydrocarbon material to form a liquid hydrocarbon-gas mixture; flowing the liquid hydrocarbon-gas material through an inter-electrode gap of a discharge chamber, the inter-electrode gap defined by a spaced pair of electrodes, the electrodes being connected to a capacitor; charging the capacitor to a breakdown voltage of the carrier gas; generating a spark discharge in the inter-electrode gap; and recovering a hydrocarbon fraction that includes lower molecular weight hydrocarbons than the liquid hydrocarbon material.