TH54385A - Methods for treating hydrocarbon-containing sources - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (24/12/52) This invention reveals a method for on-site hydrocarbon source treatment and hydrocarbon fluid generation from such source, where the hydrocarbons present at the source are thermally decomposed at increased pressures, with pressure/temperature control such that the pressure is at least equal to the calculated pressure at a chosen temperature, or at most equal to the calculated temperature at a chosen pressure, according to the equation (chemical formula) , where P is pressure (absolute bar), T is temperature (°C), and A and B are predetermined parameters related to the quantitative, compositional, or qualitative properties of the produced hydrocarbon fluid. The method may include, optionally, subsequent steps, namely, on-site syngasification, which involves reacting the hydrocarbon source treated by this invention with the syngasification fluid. The resulting hydrocarbons are then generated, optionally, by converting the produced syngas back into hydrocarbons and/or generating energy. By expansion and/or combustion of the produced syngas, or by using the produced syngas in fuel cells, this invention reveals a method for on-site treatment of hydrocarbon sources and production of hydrocarbon fluids from such sources, where the hydrocarbons present at the source are destructured at increased pressures with pressure/temperature control such that the pressure is at least equal to the pressure quantified at a chosen temperature, or at most equal to the temperature quantified at a chosen pressure, as determined by the equation (chemical formula), where P is absolute pressure (bar), T is temperature (°C), and A, B are predetermined parameters related to the quantitative, composite, or qualitative properties of the produced hydrocarbon fluid. Such a method may include subsequent steps depending on the choice, namely a on-site syngas production step, which involves reacting the hydrocarbon source treated by this invention with the syngas-producing fluid. Hydrocarbons, which are converted into products, can be generated either by converting the produced syngas into hydrocarbons and/or by generating energy through the expansion and/or combustion of the produced syngas, or by using the produced syngas in fuel cells.

Claims (20)

1. A method for treating hydrocarbon sources at the production site and generating hydrocarbon fluids from such sources. This method involves breaking down the hydrocarbon structure at the source with pressure/temperature control in a way that ensures the pressure is at least equal to the pressure calculated at a chosen temperature, or that the temperature is at most equal to the temperature calculated at a chosen pressure, as determined by the equation (chemical formula), where P is absolute pressure (bar), T is temperature (°C), and A,B are predetermined parameters related to the properties associated with the quantity, composition, or quality of the produced hydrocarbon fluid. 2. Methods as requested in claim 1, where the source of the substance contains hydrocarbons including kerogen, such as coal or oil shale, or heavy hydrocarbons such as tar and sand. 3. Methods as requested in claim 1 or 2, whereby a heat source is arranged to heat the said substance by conduction. 4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 3, where hydrocarbons present in the source are structurally broken down by heating at temperatures ranging from 250°C to 400°C, and especially in the range of 260°C to 375°C. 5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 4, where a pressure of at least 1.4 bar is required, and where if the pressure is 3.52 bar and structural deformation occurs at a temperature of up to 301.7 °C, a heat source other than radiofrequency heating may be used. 6. Methods for treating hydrocarbon sources at the production site and producing hydrocarbon fluids from such sources. These methods involve breaking down the hydrocarbon structure present at the source during hydrocarbon fluid production, with pressure/temperature control to ensure the pressure is at least equal to the achievable pressure at a chosen temperature, or at most equal to the achievable temperature at a chosen pressure, according to the equation (chemical formula) where P is absolute pressure (bar), T is temperature (°C), and A and B are predetermined parameters related to the quantitative, compositional, or qualitative properties of the produced hydrocarbon fluid. This is done under conditions where hydrogen has a partial pressure of at least 0.5 bar, for example, in the range from 1 bar to 10 bar, particularly in the range from 5 bar to 7 bar. 7. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 14,000 and B has a value of 25. 8. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A equals 24,146 and B equals 43.349. 9. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 30,864 and B has a value of 50.676. 10. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A equals 16,947 and B equals 33.603. 11. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 57,379 and B has a value of 83.145. 12. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 5,492.8 and B has a value of 14.234. 13. The method requested is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 38,360 and B has a value of 60.531. 14. The method requested is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 6,613.1 and B has a value of 16.364. 15. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A has a value of 28,554 and B has a value of 47.084. 16. The method used is to claim any one of claims 1 through 6, where A equals 11,118 and B equals 23.156. 17. Methods for synthesis gas production, which include: - Providing a hydrocarbon source that has been treated according to site treatment methods, and producing hydrocarbon fluid from such a source. This method involves breaking down the hydrocarbon structure present in the source during hydrocarbon fluid production, with pressure/temperature control to ensure the pressure is at least equal to the calculated pressure at the chosen temperature, or at most equal to the calculated temperature at the chosen pressure, according to the equation (chemical formula) where P is absolute pressure (bar), T is temperature (°C), and A,B are predetermined parameters related to the quantitative, compositional, or qualitative properties of the produced hydrocarbon fluid; and - Allowing at least a portion of the treated hydrocarbon source to react with the synthesis gas production fluid following the first step. 18. Methods for the production of hydrocarbons, which include the provision of synthesis gas, which is produced in accordance with claim 17, and the conversion of the synthesis gas into hydrocarbons. 19. The method as requested in claim 18, where syngas is converted to paraffin by the Fischer-Trop hydrocarbon synthesis process and paraffin is converted into products in the hydrocracker. 20. Methods for energy production, which include the provision of syngas, where the syngas is produced in accordance with claim 17 and the expansion and/or combustion of such syngas, or by the use of such syngas in fuel cells.