Abstract: A process for in situ upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of (a) positioning a well in a reservoir containing a heavy hydrocarbon having an initial API gravity of less than or equal to about 8; (b) injecting a light solvent into the well at reservoir conditions so as to provide an upgraded hydrocarbon in the reservoir, the upgraded hydrocarbon having an improved API gravity greater than the initial API gravity; and (c) producing the upgraded hydrocarbon from the well.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon phase containing inactive natural surfactant; mixing a solid carbon additive with the hydrocarbon phase, the solid additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof so as to provide a hydrocarbon suspension including the solid carbon additive; and forming an emulsion from the hydrocarbon suspension and an aqueous phase in the presence of a surfactant activating additive so as to activate the inactive natural surfactant and form a hydrocarbon in water emulsion having the solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase. A hydrocarbon in water emulsion is also provided including a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase, a surfactant, and a solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase, the solid carbon additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon phase containing inactive natural surfactant; mixing a solid carbon additive with the hydrocarbon phase, the solid additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof so as to provide a hydrocarbon suspension including the solid carbon additive; and forming an emulsion from the hydrocarbon suspension and an aqueous phase in the presence of a surfactant activating additive so as to activate the inactive natural surfactant and form a hydrocarbon in water emulsion having the solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase. A hydrocarbon in water emulsion is also provided including a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase, a surfactant, and a solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase, the solid carbon additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon phase containing inactive natural surfactant; mixing a solid carbon additive with the hydrocarbon phase, the solid additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof so as to provide a hydrocarbon suspension including the solid carbon additive; and forming an emulsion from the hydrocarbon suspension and an aqueous phase in the presence of a surfactant activating additive so as to activate the inactive natural surfactant and form a hydrocarbon in water emulsion having the solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase. A hydrocarbon in water emulsion is also provided including a hydrocarbon phase, a water phase, a surfactant, and a solid carbon additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase, the solid carbon additive being selected from the group consisting of coal, coke and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion includes the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon phase containing a contaminant selected from the group consisting of vanadium, sulfur, and mixtures thereof; mixing a solid additive with the hydrocarbon phase, the solid additive being selected from the group consisting of calcium compounds, magnesium compounds and mixtures thereof so as to provide a hydrocarbon suspension including the solid additive; and forming an emulsion from the hydrocarbon suspension and an aqueous phase including a surfactant so as to form a combustible hydrocarbon in water emulsion having the solid additive suspended in the hydrocarbon phase.

Abstract: A thixotropic thermal insulating fluid includes a heavy hydrocarbon, water and oleophilic clay, wherein said heavy hydrocarbon is present in an amount of between about 75% to about 92% by volume of the fluid, said water is present in an amount of between about 5% to about 15% by volume of the fluid, and said oleophilic clay is present in an amount of between about 3% to about 10% by volume of the fluid. The fluid may be prepared by mixing water in an amount of between about 5% to about 15% by total volume of the fluid with oleophilic clay in an amount of between about 3% to about 10% by total volume of the fluid so as to provide a substantially homogeneous first gel product; and mixing said first gel product with a heavy hydrocarbon in an amount of between about 75% to about 92% by total volume of the fluid under agitation for a time sufficient to provide a second thixotropic gel product.

Abstract: A process for controlling sulfur-oxide formation and emissions when burning a combustible fuel prepared from a hydrocarbon containing sulfur comprising forming a hydrocarbon in water emulsion and adding to the hydrocarbon in water emulsion a water soluble additive selected from the group consisting of Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, Ba.sup.++, Mg.sup.++, Fe.sup.+++ and mixtures thereof so as to obtain SO.sub.2 emission levels upon combustion of said emulsion of less than or equal to 1.50 LB/MMBTU.

Abstract: Methods for the formation, processing, transportation and end use of a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: A process for controlling sulfur-oxide formation and emissions when burning a combustible fuel prepared from a hydrocarbon containing sulfur comprising forming a hydrocarbon in water emulsion and adding to the hydrocarbon in water emulsion a water soluble additive selected from the group consisting of Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, Ba.sup.++, Mg.sup.++, Fe.sup.+++ and mixtures thereof so as to obtain SO.sub.2 emission levels upon combustion of said emulsion of less than or equal to 1.50 LB/MMBTU.

Abstract: The salt content of crude oil is reduced by washing crude oil containing residual salt water with wash water of lower salinity than the water present in the crude oil and allowing the resulting mixture to settle into a layer of crude oil of reduced salt water content and a layer of saline water. The quantity of wash water employed is greater than 7.5% by volume of the crude oil.The saline water may be recycled and a proportion removed from the recycle stream and a corresponding quantity of water of lower salinity added.Washing with relatively large quantities of water results in the formation of a less stable emulsion. Consequently, less severe conditions are required to break it to recover the desalted crude oil.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a natural liquid fuel and, more particularly, a process that allows a high sulfur natural fuel to be converted into energy by combustion with a substantial reduction in sulfur oxide emissions.

Abstract: Method for the formation, processing, transportation and end use of a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for upgrading heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials for making coke suitable for metallurgical purposes comprises mixing the heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials with a diluent having a closely controlled boiling range so as to facilitate transport, dehydration and desalting of the crude oil. In addition, the diluent aids in controlling temperature and residence time of the crude thereby avoiding premature decomposition.

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials for making coke suitable for metallurgical purposes comprises mixing the heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials with a diluent having a closely controlled boiling range so as to facilitate transport, dehydration and desalting of the crude oil. In addition, the diluent aids in controlling temperature and residence time of the crude thereby avoiding premature decomposition.