Abstract: The present invention is an improved regenerated catalyst bend assembly for a fluid catalytic cracking unit. In a preferred embodiment, the reduced elevation (“RE-bend” or “REL-bend”) regenerated catalyst return line assembly of the present invention has an outlet elevation that is lower than the inlet elevation of the RE-bend or REL-bend regenerated catalyst return line assembly, and a process for utilizing the assembly in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The present invention is especially useful in the modification of existing fluid catalytic cracking units to lower the elevation of the outlet of the regenerated catalyst return line assembly, thereby providing needed space to increase the fluid catalytic cracking reactor riser length.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to catalytic cracking additives comprising a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst. The present invention is directed to processes for the catalytic cracking of feedstock comprising contacting said feedstock under catalytic cracking conditions with a composition comprising a bulk catalyst and a catalytic cracking additive, wherein the catalytic cracking additive comprises a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst. The invention is also directed to processes for increasing the performance of a bulk catalyst in the presence of at least one metal comprising contacting a feedstock with a catalytic cracking additive comprising a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for separating and stripping suspensions comprising catalyst particles transported in vapors from the fluid catalytic cracking riser/reactor. Particles are disentrained from vapor in a vortex zone 112 of the primary cyclonic separator 100. The disentrained particles enter a stripping zone 126, wherein the particles are contacted with a stripping gas 136 to recover vapors entrained and adsorbed onto the catalyst. The stripping gas 136 enters stripping zone 126 via perforations in the wall of the cyclone 100. The stripping gas 136 limits the residual catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon vapors and formation of delta-coke on the catalyst. Stripped catalyst is delivered from the cyclone stripping zone 126 via a dipleg 130 connected to a bottom of the cyclone 100, and enters an FCC stripping vessel. Solids-lean stripping gas and vapors from the catalyst particles are blended with the carrier fluid and discharged from the cyclone.

Abstract: Solid acid nanoparticles are added to crude oil before initial distillation in order to increase the yield of light hydrocarbons obtained during initial distillation. According to one aspect, nanoparticles of a solid acid of a characteristic particle size are added to crude oil before initial distillation in order to increase the yield of light hydrocarbons obtained during initial distillation. According to another aspect, nanoparticles of a solid acid are added to crude oil in a characteristic concentration before initial distillation in order to increase the yield of light hydrocarbons obtained during initial distillation. According to another aspect, nanoparticles of two or more solid acids are mixed and added to crude oil before initial distillation in order to increase the yield of light hydrocarbons obtained during initial distillation.

Abstract: This invention is about a cracking technology of waste rubber, and the content of this technology is as following: the rubber mass with the catalyst were added in the cracking chamber and the cracking process of the raw material is finished. The main contents and weight percentage of catalyzer are as following: the aluminosilicate is from 35 to 50, the active alumina is from 15 to 30, the zinc oxide is from 10 to 20, the active argil is from 5 to 15, the kaoline is from 5 to 15, the weight ratio of catalyst and rubber is 2-7:1000; The cracking temperature is from 350 to 450° C. The rubber mass crack comparative downright in low temperature by using this combinatorial catalyst, that's because the temperature is controlled between 350 and 450° C., which commendably control the cracking process of the carbon chain of rubber. Moreover, more low carbon chain products can be gained for the symmetrical cracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new crystalline molecular sieve SSZ-75 prepared using a tetramethylene-1,4-bis-(N-methylpyrrolidinium) dication as a structure-directing agent, and its use in catalysts for hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustor having a catalyst bed. The method includes the steps of directing a flow of air through a catalyst bed, providing heat to the catalyst bed, sensing the temperature in an upstream portion of the catalyst bed to provide an upstream temperature, directing a flow of a fuel through the catalyst bed when the upstream temperature reaches a light-off temperature to produce a combustion reaction, increasing the flow of the fuel until the flow of air and the flow of fuel have a selected air to fuel ratio, and controlling the combustion reaction within the catalyst bed by adjusting the flow of air and the flow of fuel while maintaining the selected air to fuel ratio. The method can include sensing temperatures within the catalyst bed and controlling the combustion reaction in response to the sensed temperatures. The heat provided to the catalyst bed can also be adjusted in response to the sensed temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices, e.g., baffle plate and combination dipleg valve/baffle devices, for use in achieving rapid disengagement of entrained hydrocarbons vapors, especially in high flux spent catalyst flow exiting from a cyclone separator dipleg in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) unit. The baffle plate is preferably located near and typically below the catalyst dipleg of a fluid catalytic cracking reactor or separation zone and comprises a baffle plate body member having a surface, and in preferred embodiments also includes one or more apertures located on at least a portion of the surface. The valve/baffle is located at the outlet of the catalyst dipleg and comprises a combination valve and catalyst baffle in which the valve/baffle is designed to allow the top surface of the valve/baffle to seat against the dipleg outlet until the weight of the catalyst above the valve/baffle forces it to open.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the selective conversion of vacuum gas oil. The vacuum gas oil is treated in a two step process. The first is thermal conversion and the second is catalytic cracking of the products of thermal conversion. The product slate can be varied by changing the conditions in the thermal and catalytic cracking steps as well as by changing the catalyst in the cracking step. The combined products from thermal and catalytic cracking are separated in a divided wall fractionator.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of gasoline in a fluid catalytic cracking unit having at least one principal reactor operating using feeds with a low Conradson Carbon and a high hydrogen content, said process comprising recycling a coking cut either to a side chamber branching off the stripper or within the stripper itself by means of a tubular vessel within said stripper.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for steam cracking liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks utilizes a vapor/liquid separation apparatus to treat heated vapor/liquid mixtures to provide an overhead of reduced residue content and includes: i) indirectly heat exchanging liquid bottoms with boiler feed water to provide cooled liquid bottoms and preheated boiler feed water; ii) directing at least a portion of said preheated boiler feed water to a steam drum; and iii) recovering steam having a pressure of at least about 4100 kPa (600 psia) from said steam drum.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for converting hydrocarbons as starting material by industrial fixed-bed reaction processes with a zeolite shaped catalyst which has a low content of inorganic binder and a high pore volume and which shows high catalytic activity, long catalyst life and high crushing strength. A zeolite shaped catalyst used in the methods of the invention includes zeolite and an inorganic binder and is obtained by kneading zeolite, a starting material of an inorganic binder, shaping auxiliary(ies), organic polymer particles having an average diameter of 0.1 to 6 ?m and water into a kneaded product, and extruding, drying and calcining the kneaded product; and the zeolite shaped catalyst has a zeolite component content of not less than 60 wt % relative to the total weight, a pore volume of 0.4 to 1.0 ml/g, a half-volume pore diameter of 80 to 500 nm and a crushing strength of not less than 0.9 kg.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a siliceous zeolite component, either in separately formed catalyst particles or dispersed in the same binder or matrix as other zeolites of the compositions, are described. The catalyst compositions, for example as blends of three different bound zeolite catalysts, are particularly useful in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes due to the reductions in coke and dry gas yields that allow FCC throughput, which is normally constrained by gas handling and/or catalyst regeneration capacity, to be increased.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for fluid catalytic cracking, including, fluidizing a hydrocarbon stream in a riser, cracking the hydrocarbon stream with catalyst in the riser to produce a cracked stream and spent catalyst, separating the cracked stream and the spent catalyst in a primary separator to obtain a cracked stream with a first concentration of spent catalyst, and transporting the cracked stream with the first concentration of spent catalyst through a conduit to a multi-cyclone separator comprising multiple cyclones extending through a tube sheet to obtain a cracked stream with a second concentration of spent catalyst. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for catalytic cracking including a riser, a primary separator, a disengagement vessel surrounding the primary separator to collect the catalyst, a gas conduit having a first end in fluid connection with the disengagement vessel, and a multi-cyclone separator comprising a plurality of cyclones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and equipment for fluid catalytic cracking for the production of middle distillates of low aromaticity that comprises cracking a mixed feed consisting of heavy fractions of hydrocarbons, in the absence of added hydrogen and employing a catalyst of low activity and low acidity, in a dense-bed FCC reactor to produce an effluent constituted of fractions of middle distillates and naphtha of low aromaticity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fluid catalytic cracking of oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds such as glycerol and bio-oil. In the process the oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds are contacted with a fluid cracking catalyst material for a period of less than 3 seconds. In a preferred process a crude-oil derived material, such as VGO, is also contacted with the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for hydrocarbon steam cracking for the production of light olefin, a preparation method of the catalyst and a preparation method of olefin by using the same. More precisely, the present invention relates to a composite catalyst prepared by mixing the oxide catalyst powder represented by CrZrjAkOx (0.5?j?120, 0?k?50, A is a transition metal, x is the number satisfying the condition according to valences of Cr, Zr and A, and values of j and k) and carrier powder and sintering thereof, a composite catalyst wherein the oxide catalyst is impregnated on a carrier, and a method of preparing light olefin such as ethylene and propylene by hydrocarbon steam cracking in the presence of the composite catalyst. The composite catalyst of the present invention has excellent thermal/mechanical stability in the cracking process, and has less inactivation rate by coke and significantly increases light olefin yield.

Abstract: A method of processing the waste stream includes introducing the waste stream into the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit such that waste stream is processed within the regenerator unit or in CO boiler unit such that the waste stream and the regenerator flue gas are burned within the regenerator unit or the CO boiler unit. The waste stream contains NH3 and the NH3 is converted to the NOx and N2. The fluid catalytic cracking unit may further include an assembly for converting NOx to N2. Flue gas from the CO boiler unit containing NOx and N2 is fed to the assembly to NOx to N2 within the assembly. The assembly for converting NOx to N2 preferably includes a selective catalytic reduction unit containing a catalyst, and wherein converting NOx to N2 includes reacting the NOx with the catalyst to produce N2 and H2O.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovery power from an FCC product. Gaseous hydrocarbon product from an FCC reactor is heat exchanged with a heat exchange media which is delivered to an expander to generate power. Cycle oil from product fractionation may be added to the gaseous FCC product to wash away coke precursors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluidized catalytic cracking process for cracking hydrocarbon feed having organo-sulfur compound as an impurity, said process comprising: adding a heavy metal poisoned spent catalyst to an equilibrium catalyst to obtain a composite circulating catalyst, wherein the heavy metal poisoned spent catalyst is added in an amount to maintain the activity of the circulating catalyst; and obtaining a fluidized catalytic cracked product. The present invention further relates to fluidized catalytic cracked product obtained by the process of the present invention. The sulfur content of the fluidized catalytic cracked product mainly gasoline which is boiling in the range of C5-250° C. reduced by more than 20% (wt/wt). And Research Octane number of the fluidized catalytic cracked product is increased by more than 1 unit.

Abstract: A method to reduce metal deposit in the hydroprocessing or upgrade of heavy oil feedstock is provided. The method comprises feeding an improved catalyst feed to the system, with the improved catalyst feed comprising a fresh slurry catalyst and a deoiled spent catalyst, with the deoiled spent catalyst being present in an amount of at least 10% the catalyst feed for the heavy oil upgrade system to have at least a 5% reduction in metal contaminant build-up compared to heavy oil upgrade system without the deoiled spent catalyst in the feed.

Abstract: A process is described for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks from petroleum refining which increases substantially the yields of light olefins. The process limits the extreme conditions to a first reaction section and introduces a stream of cooling fluid above the feedstock injection point so as to maintain a second reaction section under cracking conditions which produce light olefins propene and ethene, and inhibits reactions undesirable for the process.

Abstract: A conversion apparatus for catalytic cracking a hydrocarbon feed to light hydrocarbon comprises at least one riser reactor, a dense bed reactor, a disengager, and a stripper. A dense bed reactor which is separated from disengage, is employed to enforce further cracking hydrocarbon to light olefins, with low methane yield. Moreover, the spent catalysts discharged from the outlet of the dense bed reactor can be introduced into the stripper via a specific catalyst transporting channel, to maintain catalyst concentration in the dense bed reactor that can be advantageous to deeper cracking of the intermediate products to produce more light olefins, particularly propylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved design for use in fluid cracking processes, preferably used in either a fluid catalytic cracking (“FCC”) process or a fluid coking process. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and process for improving the separation and distributing spent catalyst and gases in a spent catalyst riser associated with a fluid cracking process, and most preferably for use in a spent catalyst riser associated with an FCC regenerator vessel. A novel catalyst distributor design and associated processes are presented herein which significantly improve combustion in the dense-phase fluidized catalyst bed of a regenerator and results in improved regenerator dense bed combustion and lower migration of oxygen into the regenerator overhead region.

Abstract: An FCC process may include a distributor disposed in a recess in a wall of the riser for distributing gaseous hydrocarbon feed to a riser. The distributor may be shielded from upwardly flowing catalyst by a shield. An array of nozzles from the distributor may extend through openings in the shield.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of C3 and C4 olefins and gasoline by: (a) contacting in a fluidised bed reactor a light hydrocarbon feedstock with a first catalyst inventory comprising a medium pore size zeolite catalyst, wherein the first catalyst inventory is a fresh catalyst inventory; (b) combining at least part of the catalyst inventory as used in step (a) with one or more catalyst streams to form a second catalyst inventory comprising a medium pore size zeolite catalyst and a large pore size zeolite catalyst; (c) contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with the second catalyst inventory in a reactor riser to form cracked products.

Abstract: A system comprising a reactor comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock and a regenerated catalyst under catalytic cracking conditions to yield a cracked reactor product and a spent catalyst, the spent catalyst comprising a hydrocarbon layer; a regenerator comprising a spent catalyst feedstock and an oxygen containing gas feedstock to burn at least a portion of the hydrocarbon layer to regenerate the spent catalyst, the regenerator output comprising a first conduit comprising a regenerated catalyst, and a second conduit comprising a flue gas, the first and second conduits fluidly connected to the reactor; the second conduit fluidly connected to a heated oxygen containing gas source; and a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the second conduit comprising the flue gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the reduction of CO2 emissions from the flue gas of a cracking catalyst regenerator that is part of a fluidized catalytic cracking system which cracks petroleum feedstocks such as petroleum distillates of residual or crude oil which, when catalytically cracked, provide either a gasoline or a gas oil product. This process may also be utilized with regard to the cracking of synthetic feeds having boiling points of from 400° F. to about 1000 as exemplified by oils derived from coal or shale oil. By reducing the CO2 emissions in the regeneration step of catalytic cracking, the further goal of maximizing the production of CO in the flue gas is achieved, the CO being further utilized as a fuel in the refinery or further processed to produce hydrogen.

Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via fluidized catalytic cracking with selected hydrocarbon fractions including light olefins being obtained via absorption and separation product recovery.

Abstract: An FCC process comprising an enlarged riser section and a distributor in an elevated position and with an opening in its tip away from riser walls may reduce coke build-up along the interior walls of a riser. Catalytic mixing may be improved, which could reduce riser coking by increasing hydrocarbon contact with catalyst before contacting the riser wall. Increasing the distance between the introduction of the hydrocarbon and the riser wall may increase this likelihood for hydrocarbon-catalyst contact. Highly contaminated hydrocarbons cause greater coking than do normal hydrocarbons and this FCC process may be effective in decreasing riser coking on such heavy hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effective pyrolysis of a biomass utilizing rapid heat transfer from a solid heat carrier or catalyst. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses which incorporate progressive temperature quenching and rapid disengagement of the heat carrier material and reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of gasoline and for the co-production of propylene employing a catalytic cracking unit having at least one principal reactor operating in riser mode or in downer mode, processing a conventional heavy feed, and in which the principal reactor further processes a feed primarily constituted by olefinic C4, C5 and C6 cuts introduced upstream or as a mixture with said heavy feed, said olefinic feed deriving from the inter-stage of the wet gas compressor, i.e. upstream of the separation section of the catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of production of light olefins, with the objective of maximizing the production of propylene and in particular ethylene by the use of a special catalyst containing high-silica zeolite, whose composition also includes a dehydrogenating metal, so as to generate light olefins and appreciable deposition of coke on the catalyst. Gains in selectivity for light olefins are observed, and at the same time the energy deficiency of catalytic cracking in petrochemical operations with light hydrocarbons is minimized, avoiding problems due to the need to burn heating oil in the catalyst regenerating section to make up for the energy deficit of the converter.

Abstract: A processing scheme and arrangement for enhanced olefin production involves cooling or treating an olefin cracking reactor effluent stream by contacting the olefin cracking reactor effluent stream with a quench oil stream in a single contact cooler contact zone to produce a cooled vapor stream and to form a heated quench oil stream. A pressure differential across the single contact cooler is less than about 3.5 kPa. The heated quench oil stream can be subsequently cooled and returned to the single contact cooler.

Abstract: The production of light hydrocarbons consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylenes, and of gasoline is enhanced by introducing a virgin paraffinic naphtha feedstream derived from an external source into an ancillary downflow reactor that utilizes the same catalyst composition as an adjacent FCC unit for cracking the naphtha and withdrawing the desired lighter hydrocarbon reaction product stream from the downflow reactor and regenerating the catalyst in the same regeneration vessel that is used to regenerate the spent catalyst from the FCC unit. The efficiency of the recovery of the desired lighter olefinic hydrocarbons is maximized by limiting the feedstream to the downflow reactor to paraffinic naphtha that can be processed under relatively harsher conditions, while minimizing production of undesired by-products and reducing the formation of coke on the catalyst.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for discharging at least one fluid in a spray pattern into a fluid stream in a vessel, such as an atomized mixture of oil and steam in a fluidic catalytic cracking unit, wherein the nozzle alters the flow patterns of the fluid stream in the vicinity of the nozzle to inhibit erosion of the nozzle and maintain the spray pattern. The nozzle comprises an inlet member defining at least one inlet conduit and an outlet member in fluid communication with the inlet member. The outlet member includes an exterior surface and a plurality of bosses angularly spaced relative to each other about an axis of the outlet, each boss defining an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit having a length (L) and a diameter (D) and an axially extending wall, wherein the axially extending wall extends outwardly a length (X) greater than about ? inch relative to the exterior surface and L/D is at least about ½.

Abstract: The production of light hydrocarbons consisting of ethylene, propylene, butylenes, and of gasoline is enhanced by introducing a heavy oil feedstream derived from an external source into an ancillary downflow reactor that utilizes the same catalyst composition as an adjacent FCC unit for cracking the heavy oil and withdrawing the desired lighter hydrocarbon reaction product stream from the downflow reactor and regenerating the catalyst in the same regeneration vessel that is used to regenerate the spent catalyst from the FCC unit. The efficiency of the recovery of the desired lighter olefinic hydrocarbons is maximized by limiting the feedstream to the downflow reactor to heavy oils that can be processed under relatively harsher conditions, while minimizing production of undesired by-products.

Abstract: A method for hydroconversion of a combined feed of at least one low value petroleum derived hydrocarbon and at least one biorenewable feedstock in a hydroconversion reaction zone in the presence of a hydroconversion catalyst at hydroconversion reaction conditions for a period of time sufficient to form a hydroconversion reaction product.

Abstract: This invention describes a two-stage regeneration zone that has a regenerated catalyst circuit such as the one that results from the mixing of a partially regenerated catalyst with a residual coke rate of between 0.3 and 0.7% and a totally regenerated catalyst with a coke rate that is less than 0.15%. All things being equal, this double-population regenerated catalyst enables the maximization of the LCO yield.

Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via hydrocarbon cracking processing with selected hydrocarbon fractions being obtained via absorption-based product recovery while minimizing or avoiding loss of light olefins via system purging.

Abstract: Systems for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using the systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns doped catalysts on a mixed zeolite/alumino-silicate support with a low macropore content, and hydrocracking/hydroconversion and hydrotreatment processes employing them. The catalyst comprises at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table and a doping element in a controlled quantity selected from phosphorus, boron and silicon, and a support based on zeolite Y defined by a lattice parameter a of the unit cell in the range 24.40×10?10 m to 24.15×10?10 m and silica-alumina containing a quantity of more than 5% by weight and 95% by weight or less of silica (SiO2).

Abstract: Partial conversion hydrocracking process comprising the steps of (a) hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feedstock with a hydrogenrich gas to produce a hydrotreated effluent stream comprising a liquid/vapor mixture and separating the liquid/vapor mixture into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, and (b) separating the liquid phase into a controlled liquid portion and an excess liquid portion, and (c) combining the vapor phase with the excess liquid portion to form a vapor plus liquid portion, and (d) separating an FCC feed-containing fraction from the controlled liquid portion and simultaneously hydrocracking the vapor plus liquid portion to produce a dieselcontaining fraction, or hydrocracking the controlled liquid portion to produce a diesel-containing fraction and simultaneously separating a FCC feed-containing fraction from the vapor plus liquid portion. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the partial conversion hydrocracking process.

Abstract: An FCC process and apparatus may include injecting hydrocarbon feedstock at different radial positions while at the same elevation inside a riser. Multiple distributors may be used to position the tips for injecting feedstock at multiple radial positions. The distributors with tips more deeply positioned in the riser will penetrate a dense catalyst column we discovered generates in risers of larger diameter over 1.3 meters.

Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for removing poisonous metals from hydrocarbons are provided. The compositions comprise hydrotalcite having one or more trapping metals dispersed on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of a nozzle reactor of the type useable to inject a first material feed stock and a second material feed stock to cause interaction between the first material feed stock and second material feed stock are described herein. According to one embodiment, the nozzle reactor includes a reactor body having a reactor body passage with an injection end and an ejection end. The nozzle reactor also includes a first material injector having a first material injection passage and being mounted in the nozzle reactor in material injecting communication with the injection end of the reactor body. The first material injection passage can have an enlarged volume injection section, an enlarged volume ejection section, and a reduced volume mid-section intermediate the enlarged volume injection section and the enlarged volume ejection section. The first material injection passage can also have a material injection end and a material ejection end in injecting communication with the reactor body passage.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system, the apparatus comprising a regenerative pyrolysis reactor comprising a stabilized refractory grade zirconia in a reactive region of the reactor system. In another aspect, this invention includes a method for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock using a reverse flow regenerative pyrolysis reactor comprising the steps of providing a reverse flow regenerative pyrolysis reactor including a stabilized refractory grade zirconia in a heated reaction zone of the reactor; and pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock within the reactive region.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.

Abstract: Methods, systems and other embodiments associated with upgrading heavy oil are presented. A method of upgrading heavy oil comprising heating heavy oil to produce heated heavy oil. The method further comprises creating high pressure pulses in the heated heavy oil to crack the heated heavy oil to produce an oil with a lower viscosity than the heavy oil.