Abstract: A method for enabling the use of heavy oil residuum by conversion to a useful product. The method, in one embodiment, involves the use of a heavy oil residuum which is substantially non flowable. The viscosity of the residuum is reduced by heat or a combination of heat and a diluent and subsequently mixed with water such that the mixing is high shear mixing. This results in the formation of an emulsion of predispersed residuum in an aqueous matrix. The emulsion is formed such that the aqueous matrix is in a size distribution suitable for use as a combustible fuel.

Abstract: A method for enabling the use of heavy oil residuum by conversion to a useful product. The method, in one embodiment, involves the use of a heavy oil residuum which is substantially non flowable. The viscosity of the residuum is reduced by heat or a combination of heat and a diluent and subsequently mixed with water such that the mixing is high shear mixing. This results in the formation of an emulsion of predispersed residuum in an aqueous matrix. The emulsion is formed such that the aqueous matrix is in a size distribution suitable for use as a combustible fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream.