The separation of heavy crude oil by spray evaporation

Abstract

Studies have shown a significant intensification of the process of flash evaporation by spraying heavy oil through a nozzle. By changing the temperature in the apparatus and the pressure gradient, the carryover of the liquid phase by the distillate was set within the required limits. Results on flash evaporation of heavy crude oil at 200, 250, 300 and 350°C without spraying and with spraying through nozzles showed a significant intensification of the process with an increase in the yield of the distillate product from 22 to 67 wt %. Upon reaching a moderate degree of entrainment of 6 wt % with an increase in the yield of distillate to 43 wt % at 300°C, the viscosity of the distillate at 20°C does not exceed 15 sSt, density 0.8199 g/cm3, sulfur content no more than 2 wt %. Intensive flash evaporation process can be successfully used for the primary refinement of heavy high-viscosity oils. As a result of the process, two products from heavy oil are produced: high-quality light distillate, enriched in fuel fractions, and the residue, which can serve as raw material for the bitumen production.