U.S. patent application number 17/603570 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for methods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid & increasing light hydrocarbon fractions.
This patent application is currently assigned to Active Resource Technologies Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Active Resource Technologies Ltd.. Invention is credited to David Atkinson, Larisa Bolotnikov, Konstantin Lennykh.
Application Number | 20220204868 17/603570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006257127 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220204868 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atkinson; David ; et
al. |
June 30, 2022 |
METHODS FOR REDUCING THE VISCOSITY OF A LIQUID & INCREASING
LIGHT HYDROCARBON FRACTIONS
Abstract
The subject of this patent application relates generally to
industrial converting of liquids using acoustic mechanical
vibrations (resonance excitation) with or without a magnetic source
to influence viscosity, and more particularly to methods for
reducing the viscosity of a liquid, improving fractionation
efficiency, blending of liquids, liquids and solids and its effects
upon a H.sub.2O mixed with hydrocarbon liquid.
Inventors: |
Atkinson; David; (London,
GB) ; Lennykh; Konstantin; (Ekaterinburg, RU)
; Bolotnikov; Larisa; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Active Resource Technologies Ltd. |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Active Resource Technologies
Ltd.
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
1000006257127 |
Appl. No.: |
17/603570 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
April 14, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/060421 |
371 Date: |
October 13, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62833643 |
Apr 12, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10G 2300/302 20130101;
C10G 15/08 20130101; C10G 31/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C10G 15/08 20060101
C10G015/08; C10G 31/00 20060101 C10G031/00 |
Claims
1. A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light
hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a
magnetic flux field of a first liquid using a device that is
capable of producing a resonance excitation of said liquid, the
method comprising the steps of: a. closing a shutoff valve of the
device; b. draining the device of air; c. establishing a flow
through the device of the first liquid; d. recording the flow of
the first liquid using a flow meter of the device. e. converting
the first liquid using resonance excitation; f. establishing if the
converted material should be recirculated, and to what percentage,
back into the first and or second liquid mix for a multiple
exposure to resonance excitation. g. If the first liquid needs
additional cutter liquid, mixing the first liquid with one or more
other liquids which have a lower viscosity; h. producing a
preferred viscosity by determining an optimal ratio between the
first liquid and the one or more other liquids using a flow meter;
i. modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of a
viscometer, a density meter, or a mass meter; and, j. monitoring
the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a preferred blend ratio
thereof; and performing a fractioning process on said liquids. k.
placing the processed liquid through a heating system and into a
reciprocal, selected from a heated tank, heated pipeline and/or a
heated tanker for a period of curing time to effect the viscosity
improvement.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more liquids mixed
with the first liquid are of a lower density than the first
liquid.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more liquids
constitute a diluent.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first liquid is bitumen,
paraffin wax or other heavy oil.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first liquid comprises a
mixture of two or more other liquids or liquids mixed with
solids.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first liquid is DilBit or a
heavy hydrocarbon liquid.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of heating
the first liquid.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first liquid is heated to a
temperature equal to or above the Initial Boiling Point of the
first liquid;
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet pressure of the first
liquid is maintained at a minimum of 1 bar (or 14.504 psi) and not
higher than 10 bar (or 145.038 psi).
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the discharge pressure of an at
least one liquid is maintained at a pressure equal to at least the
suction pressure.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure does not exceed 10
bar (145.038 PSI) above the suction pressure.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first liquid is a
hydrogen-bonded liquid.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hydrogen-bonded liquid is a
heavy fuel oil.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first liquid is a high
paraffinic crude oil.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first liquid is a Bitumen,
DilBit, Dilsynbit, Neatbit, Railbit, Synbit, Treater Blend DilBit,
standard DilBit, lightened Dilbit, enhanced DilBit, emulsion,
conventional light oil, conventional oil medium, convention oil
heavy, sweet oil, sour oil, hydrocarbon liquid blended with coal,
hydrocarbon mixed with H.sub.2O.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the fractioning process
comprises: a. diverting a portion of a general flow of the first
liquid and treating the first liquid to resonance excitation; b.
establishing if the converted material should be recirculated, and
to what percentage, back into the first and or second liquid mix
for a multiple exposure to resonance excitation. c. combining the
diverted portion of the converted first liquid and a non-diverted
portion of the general flow of said, first liquid; and, d. feeding
the combined liquid into a fractioning tower.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the non-diverted portion of the
general flow is also treated with resonance excitation.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of: a. returning a
portion of a residual fraction from the fractioning tower back into
the fractioning tower; and b. subjecting the returned residual
fraction to a preliminary conversion treatment with resonance
excitation.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of diluting the first
liquid comprises the addition of a diluent to the first liquid, and
further wherein, the diluent is provided through a separate line in
the device.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first liquid is mixed with
one or more other liquids, wherein the one or more other liquids
are a light hydrocarbon, and further wherein, the addition of the
one or more other liquids reduces the viscosity and/or specific
gravity of the first liquid.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first liquid is mixed with
a condensate, and further wherein, the addition of the condensate
reduces one or more of the viscosity or specific gravity of the
first liquid.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first liquid is mixed with
a Hydrocarbon Diluent, and further wherein, the addition of the
Hydrocarbon Diluent reduces one or more of the viscosity or
specific gravity of the first liquid.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing of the first liquid
and the one or more other liquids is done using resonance
excitation generated by an electric motor producing 2950-2999
RPM.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing of the first liquid
and the one or more other liquids is done using a resonance
excitation generating a frequency between 1 kHz-64 kHz
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing of the first liquid
and the one or more other liquids are passed through a solid state
magnetic flux field of no less than: Coercive force: 12.3 kOe, 955
KA/mg; Magnetic induction: 13.0-13.2 kG; Magnetic energy: 40-42
MG-Oe, 318-342 KJ/m3.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing of the first liquid
and the one or more other liquids using an electric motor to
produce the basic frequency of resonance excitation.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the first
liquid is reduced by: a. moving the first liquid and one or more
other liquids into a cavity of a rotor, accelerated by an inner
impeller comprised of a set of backwards curved, aero foiled
centrifugal blades, that rotates inside a single walled stator of
the device; and b. discharging the liquids through a series of
outlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference of the
rotor, into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall (stator)
and the peripheral circumference of the rotor, at which point the
resonant excitation of the mixture of liquids is converted.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the first
liquid is reduced using resonance excitation, with or without solid
state magnetic influence by: a. moving the first liquid and one or
more other liquids into a cavity of a rotor, accelerated by an
inner impeller comprised of a set of backwards curved, aero foiled
centrifugal blades, that rotates inside a stator of the device; and
b. discharging the liquids through a series of outlet openings
provided along a peripheral circumference of the rotor, into an
annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall (stator) and the
peripheral circumference of the rotor, at which point the resonant
excitation of the mixture of liquids is affected. c. Passing the
pre and post processed liquid through a solid state magnetic flux
field. d. Putting the processed liquid into a heated environment
for a period of time.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of controlling the
rotation frequency of the rotor is based one or more of the
following factors, the viscosity of the first and one or more other
liquids, the pour point, flash point of the first and one or more
other liquids, the asphaltene and wax content of the first and one
or more other liquids, the paraffin content of the first and one or
more other liquids, the flow temperature of the first and one or
more other liquids, the chemical composition of the first and one
or more other liquids, and the rheology of the first and one or
more other liquids.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the first liquid is maintained
in a heated storage vessel following resonance excitation with or
without solid state magnetic influence, further wherein, the
resonance excitation, with or without solid state magnetic
influence, was for a time period of no less than 1 minute and no
more than 10 hours following the exposure of the first liquid to
the resonance excitation. This heat and time process is known as
ART-TMP, or a "Thermal Maturing Period".
31. The method of claim 29,wherein the first liquid is maintained
in a general product pipe line, which can store the first liquid
following exposure of the first liquid to the resonance excitation,
with or without solid state magnetic influence.
32. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion, between
1%-100%, of the first liquid is diverted, recirculated back into
the preprocessed inflow into the device following the exit of the
first liquid from the device.
33. The method of claim 23, wherein the rotation frequency (RPM) of
the rotor is determined based on at least one of, the viscosity of
the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the pour point the
first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, flash point of the
first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the asphaltene and wax
content of the first liquid and/or the one or more liquids, the
paraffin content of the first liquid and/or the one or more
liquids, the flow temperature of the first liquid and/or the one or
more liquids, the chemical composition of the first liquid and/or
the one or more liquids, the frequency of the rotor in the HE-ART
Converter Device, and the rheology of the first liquid and/or the
one or more liquids.
34. The method of claim 1 wherein a flow through the device of the
first liquid and/or the one or more liquids comprises the step of
installing solid state magnets on the casing of the device
configured for resonance excitation.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the solid state magnets are
installed on the inlet flange of the device configured for
resonance excitation.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the solid state magnets are
installed on the discharge flange of the device configured for
resonance excitation.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the solid state magnets are
installed on the diluent line of the device configured for
resonance excitation.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the solid state magnets are
installed on the recirculation line of the device configured for
resonance excitation.
39. The method of claim 28, wherein the heating of the first liquid
occurs once and further wherein, the first liquid is heated to a
temperature of 30.degree. C.-99.degree. C. to complete the process
of resonant excitation of an at least one liquid.
40. The method of claim 1 wherein the flow one of the first liquid
is mediated through the installation on the device of additional
gaskets that are comprised of one or more of copper, zinc or other
materials of natural mineral origin on the intake flange of the
device, and further wherein the additional gaskets are configured
for resonance excitation.
41. The method of claim 28, wherein the pre-installation of the
additional gaskets that are comprised of one or more of copper,
zinc or other materials of natural mineral origin on the discharge
flange of the device and further wherein the additional gaskets are
configured for resonance excitation.
42. The method of claim 28, wherein the pre-installation of
insulation kits on all bolts and flanges.
43. These are comprised of nylon sleeves, natural gaskets and
O-ring seals so as to reduce frequency travel along the process
flow piping.
43. A method for increasing the molecular stability and increasing
light hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations
and a solid state magnetic flux field of the first liquid using a
device configured for resonance excitation of said first liquid,
the method comprising the steps of: a. establishing a flow through
the device of the first liquid; b. recording the flow of the first
liquid using a flow meter of the device; c. diluting the first
liquid with a one or more other liquids of relatively lower density
wherein the first liquid and the one or more other liquids are
mixed using resonance excitation; d. establishing a desired ratio
between the first liquid and the one or more other liquids using
the flow meter; e. modulating the flow of the first liquid and the
one or more other liquids using at least one or more of, a
viscometer, a density meter, or a mass meter; f. monitoring the
viscosity of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids to
achieve a desired blend ratio of the first liquid and the one or
more other liquids; g. recirculating a portion of a general flow of
the first liquid and the one or more other liquids that is
subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation; h.
combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the
general flow of the first liquid and the one or more other liquids;
and i. feeding the combined first liquid and the one or more other
liquids into a fractioning tower.
44. A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light
hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a
solid state magnetic flux field of a heavy fuel oil using a device
configured for resonance excitation of said heavy fuel oil, the
method comprising the steps of: a. establishing a flow through the
device of the heavy fuel oil; b. recording the flow of the heavy
fuel oil using a flow meter; c. diluting the heavy fuel oil with a
light hydrocarbon liquid of relatively lower density by mixing the
heavy fuel oil and hydrocarbon liquid using resonance excitation;
d. establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using the flow
meter; e. modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one
of, a viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter; f. monitoring
the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio
thereof; g. recirculating a portion of a general flow of said
liquid to be subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance
excitation; h. combining the diverted portion and non-diverted
portion of the general flow of said liquid; and i. feeding the
combined liquid into a fractioning tower.
45. A method for separating hydrocarbon material from H.sub.2O
using a device configured for resonance excitation of said
Hydrocarbon polluted H.sub.2O, the method comprising the steps of:
a. establishing a flow through the device of the Hydrocarbon and
H.sub.2O mixed liquid; b. Establishing the need for diverting a
portion of the resonance excitation processed material or allowing
all the processed material to go to point e. c. diverting a portion
of a general flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary
treatment with resonance excitation; d. combining the diverted
portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of said
liquid; and e. feeding the combined processed liquid into settling
tank for a period of time between 1 hr and 48 hrs. f. After the
settling period completes. Using industry standard techniques,
extract each stratified liquid separately.
46. A method for reducing the viscosity and increasing light
hydrocarbon fractions using acoustic mechanical vibrations and a
solid state magnetic flux field of a heavy fuel oil using a device
configured for resonance excitation of said heavy fuel oil, the
method comprising the steps of: j. establishing a flow through the
device of the heavy hydrocarbon liquid; k. recording the flow of
the heavy hydrocarbon liquid using a flow meter; l. diluting the
heavy hydrocarbon liquid oil with a light hydrocarbon liquid of
relatively lower density by mixing the heavy hydrocarbon liquid and
lighter hydrocarbon liquid using resonance excitation with or
without solid state magnetic flux influence; m. establishing a
desired ratio between said liquids using the flow meter; n.
modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of, a
viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter; o. monitoring the
viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof;
p. recirculating a portion of a general flow of said liquid to be
subjected to a preliminary treatment with resonance excitation; q.
combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the
general flow of said liquid; and r. placing the processed material
into a heated environment for a period of time to effect the
lowering of viscosity.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims priority to U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/833,643 filed on Apr. 12, 2019.
The contents of the aforementioned application is incorporated by
reference herein. Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by
reference any and all patents and published patent applications
cited or referred to in this application
BACKGROUND
[0002] Much of the crude oil that is being pumped out of the earth
is classified into different grades. The value of these grades is
propionate to the amount of lighter fractions (lower boiling point
fractions) produced in distillation, e.g. propane, butane,
gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, as well as other fractions from the
heavier oil. However, the value of the heavier oil that produce few
of these lighter fractions, such as heavy oil, fuel oil,
rectification residues and other known fractions (higher boiling
point fractions) can be considered to be of a lower value.
[0003] Heavy crude oil is very difficult to transport to the final
customer, e.g. through pipelines, rail cars, trucks and other means
of transportation. etc. Heavy crude oil or extra heavy crude oil is
oil that is highly viscous, and cannot easily flow from production
wells under normal reservoir conditions. It is referred to as
"heavy" because its density or specific gravity is higher than that
of light crude oil. Heavy crude oil has been defined as any liquid
petroleum with an API gravity less than 20.degree.. This includes
bitumen, crude bitumen or asphalt, which is not to be confused with
asphalt concrete. The largest reserves of crude bitumen or asphalt
are found in the Canadian province of Alberta in the Athabasca Oil
Sands. These heavy oils have a viscosity similar to that of cold
molasses.
[0004] Physical properties that differ between heavy crude oils and
lighter grades include higher viscosity and specific gravity, as
well as heavier molecular composition. In 2010, the World Energy
Council ("WEC") defined extra heavy oil as crude oil having a
gravity of less than 10.degree. and a reservoir viscosity of over
10,000 centipoises. When reservoir viscosity measurements are not
available, extra-heavy oil is considered by the WEC to have a lower
limit of 4.degree. API (i.e., with density greater than 1000
kg/m.sup.3 or, equivalently, a specific gravity greater than 1 and
a reservoir viscosity of more than 10,000 centipoises) Heavy oils
and asphalt are dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). The
method herein is also applicable to hydrocarbon liquids and
hydrocarbon containing liquids with density lower than water.
[0005] In some instances, when the viscosity of the oil is so thick
that it does not flow easily, for example, when put into a
pipeline. This can result in a requirement that the oil be treated
by cutting it with solutions that can be expensive and
environmentally damaging to produce. For instance, to create
diluted bitumen, also known as DilBit, which generally includes
bitumen diluted with naphtha. Other forms of diluted bitumen
include syncrude, which is bitumen upgraded to synthetic crude or
synbit, which is synthetic crude blended with bitumen.
Additionally, to reduce viscosity, the pipeline can be heated or
the oil can be shipped through another means, for instance, in a
tanker truck, heated railway car, or other energy consuming means
of transportation. Each of these adds cost to the production of the
oil, which is reflected in higher operating costs, plus indirectly
creating more environmentally damaging processes, for producers.
Additionally, during the refining process of oil, among the
fractions that can be separated out include those that are sticky,
darkly colored, even black, and highly viscous. Among these are
rectification residues, refined bitumen and/or asphalt.
[0006] The distillation process tends to be heat intensive and can
be environmentally challenging as heavy oil feed stock can require
more processing to create the lighter distillation cuts of value.
To distill heavy crude oil, crude oil blends and vacuum residuum,
atmospheric bottoms and other fractions of heavy crude oil can use
a large amount of energy, and therefore, can result in high
CO.sub.2 emissions. This is especially relevant in the use of
visbreakers and/or delayed coker units which extract lighter cuts
from the heaviest cuts from atmospheric and vacuum distillation.
The visbreakers and delayed coker units run at high pressures and
high temperatures (like a reactor); which again creates an
environmentally challenging environment.
[0007] The blending industry continues to create new blends that
meet different specifications for commercial requirements, like low
sulphur maritime fuels (IMO2020). However, the blending industry
continues to have issues with the molecular separation of the final
blended fuels. To determine a fuel blend, factors that are commonly
evaluated include stability, which is commonly dealt with through
the addition of fuel additives. These additives tends to be
expensive and can be challenging when trying to identify an
environmentally friendly fuel blend.
[0008] The exploration and production of heavy crude oil, crude
oil, bitumen, crude bitumen or asphalt can involve a process of
extraction and cleaning which involves large amount of H.sub.2O.
This is used as steam in stimulating flow below the surface, or in
mining from the physical source of reservoir, sand, rock or other
mineral, using for example, Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage,
(SAGD). This oil water mix then has to go through a process of
H.sub.2O removal. The H.sub.2O that is removed usually has a small
amount of hydrocarbon still within it. This then needs to be
extracted through expensive filters or via settling ponds. This is
a resource heavy, environmentally damaging and expensive
process.
[0009] Methods are known that disclose techniques for reducing: (i)
viscosity; (i), converting a proportion of the higher boiling
components of crude oil (e.g. heavy oil, fuel oil, etc.
components); or, (iii) petroleum residues to lower boiling point
components (e.g. propane, butane, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, etc.
components). Several of these methods use resonance excitation of
the crude oil, petroleum residues, hydrocarbon liquid, mineral
oils, hydrocarbon solid and liquid blends, hydrocarbon H.sub.2O
blended liquid, by subjecting them to acoustic mechanical
vibrations.
[0010] Thus, there is a need to provide a device and a method that
can condition a liquid comprised of large molecules, such as heavy
oil, recombining its molecular structure so that it has a lower
viscosity to help the liquid to flow better, improve molecular
stability and increase the distillation of lighter boiling point
fractions. Additionally, it can help to reduce energy usage and
CO.sub.2 emissions that occur during the fractionation and
production of diluents and solvents, as well as being able to
separate the hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon polluted H.sub.2O in
order to reduce energy usage, expensive filtering processes and the
reduced use of settling ponds.
[0011] Further, there is a need for methods for converting
hydrocarbon-containing liquids, such as crude oil or petroleum
residuum, hydrocarbon solid and liquid blends, H.sub.2O mixed with
hydrocarbon liquid, by use of a low intensity acoustic mechanical
vibration sources with, or without, solid state magnets. There is
also a need for a device and a process to make it possible to
reduce viscosity, increase the percentage output of more-valuable
lighter hydrocarbons, blending stability, and separate hydrocarbons
from H.sub.2O. A device and a process described herein is to help
improve and refine the invention and create a commercially viable
solution to the prior art that is described within this
document.
[0012] In our view, their needs to be an alternative way of
implementing this technology, that keeps the process to a simple
industrial implementation, reliable results, ultrasound contained,
cost effective, environmentally (ESG) beneficial, to implement
without creating a "cracked" molecular structure in crude oil,
petroleum residuum, liquid blending, solid and liquid blending, or
hydrocarbon blended with H.sub.2O etc. being converted.
[0013] The present invention allows to reduce the viscosity,
increase the proportion of low boiling point components, plus
stability in the treated crude product by destabilizing complex
structural units (CSU) in the crude dispersion system of crude oil,
components of crude, or mixtures thereof or components of crude
such as petroleum residuum, with acoustic mechanical vibrations and
with or without solid state magnetic flux fields of low
intensity.
SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE AND METHOD
[0014] In an aspect, a device and a method are disclosed to process
one or more liquids to reduce their viscosity, specific gravity,
density, stability and to improve distillation properties. Among
the liquids that can be processed using the device and a method are
a heavy hydrocarbon crude oil. In another aspect, following the
application of an acoustic mechanical vibration, including a
resonance excitation, with or without a solid state magnetic flux
field, an upgraded hydrocarbon liquid can be produced. In a further
aspect, the invention also comprises a method and a procedure for
converting one or more heavy hydrocarbon crude oils to produce a
lighter hydrocarbon crude oil. In an aspect, the invention also
comprises a method and a procedure for (i) converting a pre-blended
liquid; (ii) mixing two or more liquids; (iii) mixing two or more
liquids that comprise a hydrocarbon, (iv) mixing two or more
liquids that comprise a hydrocarbon solid; (v) processing a
hydrocarbon to produce a hydrocarbon liquid with improved
characteristics; as well as, (vi) separating the hydrocarbon from a
liquid that comprise a hydrocarbon and H.sub.2O blend.
[0015] In an aspect, the present invention solves the problems
described above by providing methods for reducing the viscosity of
a liquid, increasing the percentage of lower boiling point
fractions in distillation and separation of hydrocarbons from
H.sub.2O.
[0016] In another aspect, a device and method are disclosed to
process one liquid comprising a blend of two or more liquids,
wherein the blending occurred prior to administration of the one
pre-blended liquid to the device or mix two or more liquids to
reduce their viscosity, specific gravity or density .
[0017] In another aspect, the device and method can also take a
heavy fuel oil and following treatment, produce a lighter fuel
oil.
[0018] In an aspect, the invention and inventive process also
allows to condition a heavy crude oil, and following a process to
improve its density, viscosity and other transportation and
qualitative properties.
[0019] In an aspect, the invention and inventive process comprises
a method and procedure for converting a pre-blended liquid, mixing
two or more liquids of natural hydrocarbon liquid as well as
converting hydrocarbon liquid to produce a hydrocarbon liquid with
improved characteristics, whether for transportation or fractional
processing.
[0020] In an aspect the invention and inventive process comprises a
method and procedure for mixing hydrocarbon liquids with solids to
help improve stability, viscosity and distillation improvements
below 350.degree. C. In an aspect the invention and inventive
process also comprises a method and procedure for mixing two or
more liquids as well as producing a lighter fuel oil from a heavy
fuel oil.
[0021] In an aspect the invention and inventive process can also
influence hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon H.sub.2O solution blend
resulting in a stratified liquid.
[0022] Other features and advantages of aspects of the present
invention will become apparent from the following more detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of
the invention, areas of deployment, and results from field
trials.
[0023] Objects of the invention are achieved by the method for
treating a crude oil and/or components of the crude, and/or
components of the crude mixed with H.sub.2O according to claim 1
and through the use of the device according to claim 46.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES IN APPENDIX
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a simple schematic drawing of the arts
process.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a primary mechanical components of the HE-ART
Converter device.
[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a working wheel (rotor) section and inside
cavity/stator section.
[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the casing of HE-ART
Converter device and magnets.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the HE-ART Converter device
and magnets.
[0029] FIG. 6 depicts a working wheel (rotor) inside cavity,
openings and dimensions.
[0030] FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the HE-ART Converter device,
piping and magnets.
[0031] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the HE-ART Converter device
piping equipment.
[0032] FIG. 9 depicts the inventions usage in a refinery
environment (upgrading)
[0033] FIG. 10 depicts the inventions usage in a E&P
environment (upgrading & viscosity)
[0034] FIG. 11 depicts the inventions usage in a hydrocarbon life
cycle.
[0035] FIG. 12 depicts the results of a 902 cst at 10.degree. C.,
DilBit test.
[0036] FIG. 13 depicts the results of a 26553 cst at 10.degree. C.,
DilBit test.
[0037] FIG. 14 depicts the results of a 41.7 cst at 50.degree. C.,
Mazut/Naphtha test.
[0038] FIG. 15 depicts the results of a 1842 cst at 50.degree. C.,
Bitumen/Gasoline test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method
using resonance excitation of a liquid with, or without, solid
state magnetic influence of low intensity, including, without
limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, through the
use of an oscillatory exposure of a liquid, including, without
limitation, one liquid or a mixture of two or more liquids, for
deconstructive recombination of their chemical bonds at a molecular
level to facilitate a relatively lower viscosity, increasing the
percentage of lower boiling point fractions in distillation,
stability of the blended liquid, and the influence of hydrocarbons
in H.sub.2O, by the action using acoustic mechanical vibrations
(resonance excitation, ultrasonic oscillations) with, or without a
solid state magnetic flux field of low intensity. The contents of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0040] Furthermore, the methods disclosed herein, are in at least
one embodiment carried out, using an acoustic mechanical device,
also known as a "HE-ART Converter Device" similar to that taught in
Nikolai Selivanov, EP1260266 "Hydrogen Activator Device". Thus, any
reference made herein to exemplary devices or structural
components, including those disclosed herein, are intended to be
referring to said HE-ART Converter Device/Devices and/or structural
components described in EP1260266, PCT/RU2002/000220 and EP0667386
in at least one embodiment. This HE-ART Converter device subjects
the flow of liquid to be treated to acoustic mechanical vibrations
which gives out a low frequency to activate specific molecular
structures. The addition of solid state magnets, as discussed in
David Glass U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,872, creates a magnetic flux field
that allows the liquids molecular structure to redistribute and
stabilize in an ordered manner, so presenting the processed liquid
to further processes to enhance upgrading, such as our `Thermal
Maturity Period`, (ART-TMP) process.
[0041] Through the use of the methods disclosed herein, in
combination with such a `HE-ART Converter Device`, and in another
embodiment, in combination with solid state magnets , a liquid,
such as heavy oil, hydrocarbon liquid, rectification residues,
hydrocarbon H.sub.2O blended liquid, etc., could be transformed
such that the liquid that is converted in an acoustic mechanical
excitation device (HE-ART Converter Device), with or without
passing through a solid state magnetic flux field: is made to flow
better by reducing the viscosity; increasing its stability of the
liquid; and or increase the yield of more valuable light
hydrocarbons within the processed hydrocarbon based oil fraction
obtained during the refinement and/or distillation of the liquid;
and allow for the transport of the liquid or its fraction through a
pipeline, rail car, ship etc.; or extract hydrocarbons from the
hydrocarbon H.sub.2O blend. In at least this saves money, time,
environmental footprint and effort. This same HE-ART Converter
Device and process is also capable of using resonance excitation to
process one or mix two or more liquids, including two or more
different fractions obtained during distillation or from waste oil,
rectification residues or different types of oil obtained from
different sources, or blend hydrocarbon solids with one or more
liquids, and separate one or more hydrocarbon liquids from
H.sub.2O.
[0042] For example, a heavy oil with a cutter, known as DilBit in
Canada; (cutter is also known as diluent, which can be a less
viscous fraction of oil obtained through the refining of a crude
oil e.g. a gas condensate, naphthenes cut, gasoil cut or other
light hydrocarbon cut and/or liquid). See FIGS. 12 & 13 for a
representative Canadian DilBit results.
Hydrocarbon Molecular Composition
[0043] In an embodiment, oil is comprised of at least one of the
following hydrocarbon molecules: alkanes (paraffins), naphthenes,
aromatics and/or asphaltics. The concentration of each can vary,
but alkanes generally comprise between 15% to 60% of an oil;
naphthenes comprise generally comprise between 30% to 60% of an
oil; aromatics comprise between 3% to 30% of an oil and the
remainder is asphaltics. For example, in Canadian DilBit, there can
be on average a high asphaltine (14%) content.
Design--The Acoustic Mechanical Excitation Device (HE-ART Converter
Device)
[0044] In an embodiment, the resonance excitation occurs through
the transfer of the energy created by acoustic mechanical
vibrations (ultrasound oscillations), by, without limitation, a
source (rotor) placed into a liquid that is capable of operating on
one of the basic low frequencies.
[0045] In an embodiment, this can include a device through which
the liquid is moving that places the liquid in direct contact or
the proximal location of the device capable of creating energy by
acoustic mechanical vibrations. Through the use of such a resonance
excitation, the viscosity of a liquid, including without
limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur bonded liquid, including,
without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a
high paraffinic crude oil is reduced. The distillation of lower
boiling point components, naphtha, gasoline, diesel, without
limitation, percentage volume is increased. Hydrocarbon polluted
H.sub.2O is processed so as to create separation of each fraction,
without limitation, a hydrocarbon liquid, or solid, is blended with
another liquid is molecularly stabilized, without limitation. In an
embodiment, a basic frequency abides by the common
relationship:
[0046] For Hydrogen Conversion (4-64 kHz) [0047] FN=F1N.sup.-1/2,
where N>=1--the selected integer; [0048] F1=63.992420 [kHz]--the
basic hydrogen oscillation frequency at N=1.
[0049] For Carbon Activation (1-8 kHz) [0050] FN=F1N.sup.-1/2,
where N>=1--the selected integer; [0051] Fi=7.99905 NF.sup.-1/2
[kHz]--the basic carbon oscillation frequencies at N=1
[0052] In another embodiment, a method for resonant excitation of a
single liquid or a mixture of two or more liquids is administered
through the excitation of the hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded
liquids with a rotary hydrodynamic source.
[0053] In another embodiment, a method for resonant excitation of a
mixture of two or more liquids, including H.sub.2O, is administered
through the excitation of the hydrogen liquid with a rotary
hydrodynamic source.
[0054] In an embodiment, a hydrodynamic source uses acoustic
mechanical vibration. In a further embodiment, the acoustic
mechanical vibrations are effectuated on a single liquid, or two or
more liquids into a cavity of a rotor, (FIG. 2, no 2 and FIG. 3, no
3).
[0055] In a further embodiment the mechanical oscillations are
effectuated on a single liquid, or two or more liquids (FIG. 2, no
1) by moving the liquid through a/or a number of solid state
magnetic flux field/fields (FIG. 4 no 14, FIG. 5, no 14, and FIG.
7, no 14), into a cavity of a rotor, (FIG. 2, no 4 and FIG. 3, no
3). The liquid is accelerated by an inner impeller, inside the
rotor, (FIG. 2, no 1 FIG. 3, no 4) comprised of a set of backwards
curved (aero foiled) centrifugal blades, that rotates inside a
single stator (FIG. 3, no 2).
[0056] In this embodiment, one, two or more liquids are discharged
thorough a series of outlet openings that are evenly spread on the
peripheral circumference of the rotor (FIG. 2, no5, FIG. 3, no
1&5, FIG. 6, no H, Plane A), into an annular chamber created by
the stator coaxial wall and the peripheral circumference of the
rotor (FIG. 2 no 3 and FIG. 3, no 2&3).
[0057] In a further embodiment (FIG. 3, no 1&5, FIG. 6, no H,
Plane A), the outlet openings are not evenly spread. In another
embodiment the openings are the same size. In a further embodiment,
the openings are of two or more different sizes. In a still further
embodiment, two or more openings are of the same size, while one or
more openings are of a different size.
[0058] In an embodiment (FIG. 3, no 1&5, FIG. 6, no H, Plane
A), at least two or more openings are of the same size. In another
embodiment, at least two or more openings are of the same size and
one or more openings are of a different size. In an embodiment, at
least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven,
twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen,
nineteen, twenty or more openings are of the same size. In an
embodiment, at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,
ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen,
seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or more openings are of a
different size.
[0059] In another embodiment, the single liquid, or two or more
liquids, liquid and solids blends by moving the liquid into a
cavity of a rotor, accelerated by an inner impeller comprised of a
set of backwards curved (aero foiled) centrifugal blades (FIG. 3,
no 4), that rotates inside a single stator coaxial wall (FIG. 3,
no2), or two stator coaxial walls or three stator coaxial walls, or
four stator coaxial walls, or five stator coaxial walls.
Overview of the Acoustic Mechanical Device (HE-ART Converter)
Design--Rotor & Stator (FIG. 3 & FIG. 6)
[0060] In an embodiment, a device for resonant excitation of
liquids, including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or
sulfur-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, bitumen
and DilBit, is effectuated with the use of a rotary hydrodynamic
source of acoustic mechanical vibrations.
[0061] In an embodiment, and without limitation, a rotary
hydrodynamic source of acoustic mechanical vibrations includes,
without limitation, a rotor (4), a shaft resting on bearings and/or
at least one rotor installed on the shaft, wherein, the rotor
includes, without limitation, a disc (rotor) with a peripheral
annular wall (1) having a series of outlet openings for a liquid,
(5) including, without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid,
including, without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without
limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, a hydrocarbon liquid mixed
with a solid or a bitumen and DilBit, that are evenly spaced along
the circumference; a stator, having, without limitation, a wall
coaxial to the rotor (91); an intake opening (90) for the supply of
a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen bonded liquid,
including, without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without
limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil and Hydrocarbon blended
with H.sub.2O, that is capable of communicating with a cavity of
the rotor; a discharge opening for outflow of a liquid, including,
without limitation, a hydrogen bonded liquid, including, without
limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a high
paraffinic crude oil, a hydrocarbon liquid mixed with a solid or a
bitumen or DilBit and Hydrocarbon blended with H.sub.2O; an annular
chamber formed by the coaxial wall of the stator and/or peripheral
annular wall of the rotor and communicating with the discharge
opening of the stator, and a means for driving the rotor with a
preset rotation frequency, such that the value of the external
radius of the peripheral annular wall of the rotor constitutes:
[0062] R=2.8477729.sup.n-2/30.10 4 [mm], where n=14.651908 F
3[r.p.m.]--the rotation frequency of the rotor; [0063] F=63.992420
N-1/2 [kHz]--the basic frequency of resonant excitation; [0064]
N>=1-the selected integer, While the value of the internal
radius of the coaxial wall of the stator constitutes [0065] R 1=R+B
S(2.pi.)-1 [mm],
[0066] where B>=1--the selected integer; [0067] S=7.2973531
[mm]--the pitch of outlet openings of the rotor along the
circumference of the radius R.
[0068] In an embodiment, the converting of one or a mixture of two
or more liquids is affected, at least in part, by the relationship
set forth in the following formula: [0069] n R=1.16141 F, where
n[1/s]--the rotation frequency of the rotor; [0070] R [m]--the
radius of the peripheral annual surface of the rotor.
Design Rotor--Number of Outlets for Liquid Discharged (FIG. 3, no
5, & FIG. 6, no 5)
[0071] In an embodiment, the number of outlet openings through
which the liquid is discharged following excitation can vary, but
can be at least 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190,
200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 245, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310,
320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400 or more openings. In a
further embodiment, the number of outlet openings through which the
liquid is discharged following excitation are no more than 100,
110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230,
240, 245, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350,
360, 370, 380, 390, 400 or more openings. However the ideal amount
is between 120 and 360.
Design Rotor--The Pitch of the Outlet Openings (FIG. 6, plane
A)
[0072] In an embodiment, the pitch of the outlet openings is
determined based on the number of outlet openings.
Design Rotor--The Pitch of the Outlet Openings is Equal to the
Width of the Opening (FIG. 6, plane A)
[0073] In another embodiment, the pitch of the outlet openings is
equal to the width of an opening.
Design Rotor--The Radial Extent of an Outlet Openings (FIG. 6)
[0074] In an embodiment, the radial extent of an outlet opening of
a rotor of a device is made multiple to the value S(2.pi.)-1, as
seen on the equation on page 9.
[0075] In a further embodiment, a schematic view of the outlet
openings is depicted in FIG. 6. The outlet openings (FIG. 6, no 5)
are evenly spread on the peripheral circumference (FIG. 6, no R) of
the rotor (FIG. 6, no 1). The spacing between the outlet openings
(FIG. 6, no 5) can in an embodiment equal the length H and set an
angle to the annular wall (FIG. 6, angle .alpha.) that can comprise
from 1.degree. to 179.degree..
[0076] In an embodiment, the radial extent of an outlet opening of
a rotor is made equal to the value S(2.pi.)-1, on page 9.
Design Rotor--The Annular Opening Angle (FIG. 6)
[0077] In another embodiment the annular openings are set at an
angle of 1.degree. to 179.degree. to the rotor annular wall. In a
further embodiment, the annular openings are set an angle of at
least 1.degree., 2.degree., 3.degree., 4.degree., 5.degree.,
10.degree., 15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree., 30.degree.,
35.degree., 40.degree., 45.degree., 50.degree., 55.degree.,
60.degree., 65.degree., 7-5.degree., 80.degree., 85.degree.,
90.degree., 95.degree., 100.degree., 105.degree., 110.degree.,
115.degree., 120.degree., 125.degree., 130.degree., 135.degree.,
140.degree., 145.degree., 150.degree., 155.degree., 160.degree.,
165.degree., 170.degree., 175.degree. or 179.degree. to the rotor
annular wall.
[0078] In another embodiment, the annular openings are set an angle
of at no more than 1.degree., 2.degree., 3.degree., 4.degree.,
5.degree., 10.degree., 15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree.,
30.degree., 35.degree., 40.degree., 45.degree., 50.degree.,
55.degree., 60.degree., 65.degree., 7-5.degree., 80.degree.,
85.degree., 90.degree., 95.degree., 100.degree., 105.degree.,
110.degree., 115.degree., 120.degree., 125.degree., 130.degree.,
135.degree., 140.degree., 145.degree., 150.degree., 155.degree.,
160.degree., 165.degree., 170.degree., 175.degree. or 179.degree.
to the rotor annular wall.
[0079] In a further embodiment, the annular openings are set an
angle of about 1.degree., 2.degree., 3.degree., 4.degree.,
5.degree., 10.degree., 15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree.,
30.degree., 35.degree., 40.degree., 45.degree., 50.degree.,
55.degree., 60.degree., 65.degree., 7-5.degree., 80.degree.,
85.degree., 90.degree., 95.degree., 100.degree., 105.degree.,
110.degree., 115.degree., 120.degree., 125.degree., 130.degree.,
135.degree., 140.degree., 145.degree., 150.degree., 155.degree.,
160.degree., 165.degree., 170.degree., 175.degree. or 179.degree.
to the rotor annular wall.
HE-ART Converter Device Auxiliary Equipment (FIG. 8)
Equipment--Electrical Motor, Piping and VFD's
[0080] In an embodiment, a device to mix/blend a liquid, including,
without limitation a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid,
including, without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without
limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, hydrocarbon liquid and
solid blend, bitumen or DilBit, includes, without limitation, a 30
Hz or 75 Hz frequency electric motor; a variable frequency drive
for adjustment of the rotation speed of the electric motor; a feed
supply line to the HE-ART Converter Device, including, without
limitation, a primary line; and one or more auxiliary lines for
supply of the required amount of liquids and a/or a number of
recirculation lines between liquid discharge and untreated liquid
supply line and/or a blend discharge line that runs from the
device.
Equipment--Valves, Meters and Gauges, Plus an Additional Pump or
Pumps (FIG. 8)
[0081] In an embodiment, each line is equipped, without limitation,
with a frequency monitor, pressure meter or pressure gauge; a
thermocouple or temperature gauge; a flow meter; a viscosity meter;
a mass meter; a density meter; a primary flow shut off valve; an
automatic or manual driven flow adjustment valve; and/or an
additional pump/pumps to facilitate the flow of a liquid through
the device.
Equipment--Manual and Automated Control Based Off Liquid
Composition
[0082] In an embodiment, a device is automated so that it can
adjust automatically to changes in the composition of the liquid
that is run through it. For instance, if the liquid is a heavy fuel
oil, as the composition of the fuel oil changes, the device is
adjusted automatically to take into account the change in the
composition of the fuel oil. This adjustment can be done manually
or through the use of software on a computer as set forth herein,
including through the use of an Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Equipment--Skid Frame and Solid Base Construction
[0083] In an embodiment to reduce vibration and mitigate any art
induced frequency transfer throughout the physical system, other
than in the precise areas that we create in the acoustic mechanical
device (HE-ART Converter) and with or without in areas of solid
state magnetic flux treatment, the device is fixed on a custom
fabricated skid frame.
Equipment--Solid Base Construction
[0084] In another embodiment to reduce vibration and mitigate any
art induced frequency transfer throughout the physical system,
other than in the precise areas that we create in the acoustic
mechanical device (HE-ART Converter) and with or without in areas
of solid state magnetic flux treatment, the a device is fixed on a
solid surface, including, without limitation, a hard wood floor, a
tile floor, a concrete floor, an asphalt floor, a dirt floor, a
ceramic floor, a vinyl floor and/or any other floor that is capable
of supporting the device.
Equipment--Isolation Kits
[0085] In another embodiment to reduce vibration and mitigate any
art induced frequency transfer throughout the physical system,
other than in the precise areas that we create in the acoustic
mechanical device (HE-ART Converter) and with or without in areas
of solid state magnetic flux treatment, isolation kits are
installed on all flanges and nuts. These nylon sleeves, gaskets and
O-ring seals, prevents the metal making contact with a flange, thus
preventing frequency moving throughout the connected piping. This
helps keep the low frequency effect in the location that it is
created and not system wide.
Equipment--Fixed Onto Movable Transportation
[0086] In an embodiment to reduce vibration and mitigate any art
induced frequency transfer throughout the physical system, other
than in the precise areas that we create in the acoustic 440
mechanical device (HE-ART Converter) and with or without in areas
of solid state magnetic flux treatment, the a device is fixed on a
vehicle that is able to move, including, without limitation, a
truck, a trailer, a plane, a boat, including, without limitation, a
barge, a tanker and/or a super tanker, oil rig and sea floor.
Equipment--Gasket Material (FIG. 2)
[0087] In an embodiment, the primary mechanical components of the
HE-ART Converter device are those that are set forth in FIG. 2. As
depicted in FIG. 2, in one embodiment a liquid, including an oil,
further including a heavy oil such as a paraffin wax, hydrogen
blended liquid with a solid, bitumen, DilBit or a hydrocarbon
blended with H.sub.2O, flows through a pipe or other form of a tube
that attaches to the device, which can be any shape that is able to
connect with the inlet opening (FIG. 2. no12 & 13) of the
device, connected through a leak proof prominent packing and an
additional gasket/gaskets, which in one embodiment is a gasket
containing copper, zinc or other materials of a natural mineral
origin.
Equipment--Liquefied Gas Compressor
[0088] In this embodiment, a liquefied gas supply line is without
limitation, equipped with a compressor.
Equipment--Liquefied Gas Sensors, Meters, Valves (FIG. 8)
[0089] In an embodiment, a blend discharge line through which a
blended liquid flows is equipped with a gas flow meter; frequency
monitor, a pressure meter or pressure gauge; a thermocouple or
temperature gauge; a flow meter; a viscosity meter; a mass meter; a
density meter; a primary flow shut off valve; an automatic or
manual driven flow adjustment valve; and/or an additional pump to
facilitate the flow of a liquid through the HE-ART Converter
Device.
Controlling the Process and Effect
Process Control--Rotation Frequency
[0090] In an embodiment, the control of the rotation frequency of a
rotor is manifested through a device, wherein the rotation
frequency is adjusted to take into consideration such elements as,
and without limitation, the viscosity, the pour point, flash point,
the asphaltene, including bitumen and wax content, including the
paraffin content, H.sub.2O content, hydrocarbon solid content
and/or the flow temperature.
[0091] In a further embodiment, the control of the rotation
frequency of a rotor is manifested through a device wherein the
rotation frequency is adjusted to take into consideration such
elements as, and without limitation, the chemical composition
and/or rheology of the liquid. This may include without limitation,
using an in line viscosity meter, density meter, chemical
composition meter, and/or any other metering device that allows to
assess the chemical composition and/or rheology and other
properties of the crude oil, liquid, liquid solid blend,
hydrocarbon mixed with H.sub.2O.
[0092] In an embodiment, a mechanism for driving a rotor comprises
a system for controlling the rotation frequency of the rotor,
wherein, the deviation of rotation is at least 0.1%, .about.0.2%,
.about.0.3%, .about.0.4%, .about.0.5%, .about.0.6%, .about.0.7%,
.about.0.8%, .about.0.9%, .about.1%, .about.2%, .about.3%,
.about.4%, .about.5%, .about.6%, .about.7%, .about.8%, .about.9%,
.about.10%, .about.11%, .about.12%, .about.13%, .about.14%,
.about.15%, .about.16, .about.17%, .about.18%, .about.19%,
.about.20%, .about.21%, .about.22%, .about.23%, .about.24%,
.about.25%, .about.26%, .about.27%, .about.28%, .about.29%,
.about.30%, .about.35%, .about.40%, .about.45% or .about.50% from
the calculated value thereof.
[0093] In an embodiment, a control of the rotation frequency of a
rotor is manifested through a device, wherein the device includes,
without limitation a computer and/or a mechanical device, either of
which is able to control the rotation frequency of a rotor.
[0094] In an embodiment, a computer includes a program to control
the rotation frequency of a rotor. In an embodiment, and without
limitation, the program is a software program.
[0095] In an embodiment, the software program is able to make
adjustments to the regulation of one or more aspect of the rotation
frequency of a rotor by controlling the revolutions per minute
(RPM).
[0096] In another embodiment, the software program includes an AI
(Artificial Intelligence) that is able to continually monitor the
adjustments to the regulation of one or more aspect of the rotation
frequency of a rotor via RPM.
[0097] In a further embodiment, the AI is able to continually learn
such that it is able to continually monitor the adjustments to the
regulation of one or more aspect of the rotation frequency of a
rotor.
[0098] In another embodiment, a software program regulates all
aspects of the rotation frequency of a rotor.
[0099] In another embodiment, a software program regulates some,
but not all aspects of the rotation frequency of a rotor.
[0100] In an embodiment, a software program adjusts the rotation
frequency of a rotor based on the density of a liquid, including,
without limitation, a hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without
limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a high
paraffinic crude oil, without limitation, hydrocarbon liquid
blended with a solid, a bitumen or DilBit, without limitation, a
H.sub.2O blended with Hydrocarbon material.
[0101] In an embodiment, the flow may be adjusted and the
proportion of the liquids being blended may be adjusted taking into
consideration such elements as viscosity, and other factors that
can affect viscosity. In an embodiment, the flow may be adjusted in
real time based on the viscosity of the blended liquid to ensure
that the blended liquid is of a desired viscosity.
[0102] In one embodiment, this desired viscosity is known to one of
skill in the art, but at a minimum, is a viscosity that allows for
the reasonable flow of the blended liquid through a pipeline with
minimal additional assistance, such as heating the pipeline or
requiring the addition of further liquids to further dilute the
blended liquid.
HE-ART Converter Device Conversion Process Description (FIG. 2,
FIG. 3)
[0103] The conversion of the liquid into the device starts at the
inlet opening (FIG. 2, no 12), which is located in casing (FIG. 2,
no 2) of the device. The liquid continues to flow into the device,
entering the cavity where the resonance excitation of the liquid
occurs. Within the cavity of the device in FIG. 3, are located the
curved blades (FIG. 2, no 1, FIG. 3, no 4), also called the rotor
of the device (FIG. 2, no 1, FIG. 3, no 1), that create the
resonance energy that is transferred to the liquid. The rotor of
the device (FIG. 3, no 1) is accelerated by the impeller (inside
the rotor) comprised of a backward curved aero foiled blades (FIG.
3, no 4). The liquid then exits the cavity through a set of outlet
openings (FIG. 3, no 5), into an annular chamber (FIG. 2, no 3,
FIG. 3, no 3) created by the coaxial wall of the stator casing
(FIG. 3, R1) the peripheral circumference of the rotor (FIG. 3, R).
Then the liquid then exits the device through the single annular
discharge stator channel (FIG. 2, no 6) and the discharge pipe
(FIG. 2, no 13) into a pipe or other form of tube connected with
the discharge pipe through a leak proof prominent packing and an
additional gasket containing copper, zinc or other materials of
natural mineral origin. As further depicted in FIG. 2, in an
embodiment, the device is driven by an electric motor (FIG. 2, no
10) transferring the torque to the shaft (FIG. 2, no 7) through a
flexible coupling (FIG. 2, no 11). The shaft rests on at least one
bearing (FIG. 2, no 8). The liquid is prevented from leaking form
the device onto the rotor side through the use a mechanical seal or
multiple seals (FIG. 2, no 9).
Solid State Magnetic Flux Field Influence & Process (FIG. 7,
FIG. 4, FIG. 5)
[0104] As discussed in prior art, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,128,043A and
6,056,872A, the magnetic influence allows the magnetic field to
move the particles in a predictable direction. The benefits of
using solid state magnetic flux field/fields gives our art the
basis for helping the organic liquid to flow better and present
itself to the acoustic mechanical vibrations in a more organized
molecular structure, therefore helping to induce a stronger
resonance excitation on the liquid presented. The technique is also
employed after resonance excitation, this helps in maintaining
order and stability in the molecular rheology.
[0105] The use of solid state magnets (magnetic flux fields) also
helps in stopping clogging of piping from natural buildup of
heavier molecules, hence helping the flow of liquid, and reducing
corrosion. In hydrocarbon liquid, its movement through piping is
usually susceptible to scaling, corrosion, and algae, because of
the large amount of high mineral content. Many hydrocarbon liquid
deposits are high in paraffin, causing heavy `paraffining` of the
pumps and tubing, eventually stopping the flow of hydrocarbon
fluid.
Process--Solid State Magnets Pole Alignment
[0106] In one embodiment, the solid state magnets are set around
the casing of the HE-ART Converter Device (FIG. 4, no 14, FIG. 5 no
14 and FIG. 7) and prior to resonance excitation converting and on
the exit piping as shown in (FIG. 7, FIG. 5, no 14). Where by our
solid state magnets are used with the alignment of the South Pole
magnetic flux being the most effective at effecting the molecular
structure of the converted liquids.
Process--Solid State Magnets Prior to Resonance Excitation
[0107] In one embodiment, the solid state magnets are set around
the casing of the HE-ART Converter device (FIG. 4, no 14, FIG. 5 no
14 and FIG. 7) and prior to resonance excitation converting and on
the exit piping (FIG. 7, FIG. 5, no 14).
Process--Solid State Magnets on Outer Casing of HE-ART Converter
Device
[0108] In an embodiment, the front view of the casing of the device
is depicted in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the resonant excitation
and flow of material can be improved through the use of a number of
solid state magnets (FIG. 4, no14, FIG. 5, no 14 and FIG. 7). These
solid state magnets can be set around the HE-ART Converter casing,
pre-processed liquid pipe casing, exit processed pipe casing and
recirculation pipe casing .
Process--Solid State Magnets Prior to Resonance Excitation
[0109] In another embodiment, the position of the solid state
magnets can be set around the casing in different patterns that can
vary depending on the extent of stability in the magnetic flux
field that is required to obtain the desired reduction in
viscosity, increase in lower boiling point fractionation
hydrocarbon products or separation of hydrocarbon in a
liquid/liquids passing through the HE-ART Converter device.
Process--Solid State Magnets on the HE-ART Converter Device
Piping
[0110] In another embodiment, the side view of the HE-ART Converter
casing of the device is depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 5. The solid
state magnets (FIG. 7, FIG. 5, no 14) are situated on the inlet
pipe (FIG. 5, no 12) and at the inlet point (FIG. 5, no 14), on the
casing (FIG. 5, no 2), on the outlet pipe prior to recirculation,
if needed (FIG. 7).
Process--Solid State Magnets Improving the RPM and Torque
Transfer
[0111] In an embodiment, aligning the solid state magnets (FIG. 5,
no 14) in this manner can improve the stability of the acoustic
mechanical oscillations at a desired frequency (F) and improve the
torque transfer of the electric motor (FIG. 5, no 10) to the shaft
(FIG. 5, no 7) that is supported by at 595 least one bearing (FIG.
5, no 8) through the flexible coupling (FIG. 5, no 11).
Process--Magnetic Flux Field (FIG. 2)
[0112] In one embodiment, a liquid prior to this opening FIG. 2
no12, a heavy oil such as a paraffin wax, bitumen, DilBit or a
hydrocarbon blended with H.sub.2O will pass through a solid state
magnetic flux field before entering the inlet opening (FIG. 2,
no12).
Process--Resonant Excitation on Exit from HE-ART Converter Device
with Solid State Magnetic Flux Field Influence
[0113] In an embodiment, following prior to converting and after
the discharge of the converted liquid or a mixture of two or more
liquids from the annular chamber and after passing through a solid
state magnetic flux field/fields, the resonant excitation of the
converting of one or mixture of two or more liquids is increased.
In an embodiment, the increase in the resonant energy for the
mixture of two or more liquids is at least 1%, at least 2%, at
least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at
least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at
least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%,
at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least
22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at
least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%,
at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least
36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at
least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%,
at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least
50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at
least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%,
at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least
64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at
least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%,
at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least
78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at
least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%,
at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least
92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at
least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 100% greater than
the resonant energy of the two or more liquids prior to entering
the annular chamber.
Liquid Conversion Process (FIG. 8 and FIG. 2)
Process Rotor--Number of Rotors
[0114] In another embodiment, the converted material may be
recycled through at least one acoustic mechanical vibration
device's rotor (HE-ART Converter) in one enclosed structural unit
or in separate units attached to each other through connecting
processed flow piping, or in parallel or series with , at least two
rotors, at least three rotors, at least four rotors, at least five
rotors, at least six rotors, at least seven rotors, at least eight
rotors, at least nine rotors, at least then rotors, at least eleven
rotors, at least twelve rotors, at least thirteen rotors, at least
thirteen rotors, at least fourteen rotors, at least fifteen rotors,
at least sixteen rotors, at least seventeen rotors, at least
eighteen rotors, at least nineteen rotors, at least twenty rotors.
or more rotors.
Process--Liquid Mixed with Recirculated Material (FIG. 2)
[0115] In one embodiment a liquid prior to this opening FIG. 2,
no12, a heavy oil such as a paraffin wax, bitumen, DilBit or a
hydrocarbon blended with H.sub.2O may mix with recirculated
processed material before entering the inlet opening (FIG. 2, no
12).
Process--Mixed with Recirculated Material and or a Lighter
Hydrocarbon Liquid Prior to Converting. (FIG. 2)
[0116] In another embodiment prior to this opening FIG. 2, no 12, a
heavy oil such as a paraffin wax, bitumen, DilBit or a hydrocarbon
blended with H.sub.2O may mix with recirculated processed material
before entering the inlet opening and a lighter hydrocarbon liquid,
such as Naphtha, diesel etc prior to the opening (FIG. 2, no
12).
Process--Liquid and Solid Mixed with Recirculated Material and or a
Lighter Hydrocarbon Liquid Prior to Converting. (FIG. 2)
[0117] In another embodiment prior to this opening FIG. 2, no 12, a
heavy oil such as a paraffin wax, bitumen, DilBit , Hydrocarbon
solids or a hydrocarbon blended with H.sub.2O may mix with
recirculated processed material before entering the inlet opening
and a lighter hydrocarbon liquid, such as Naphtha, diesel etc prior
to the opening (FIG. 2, no 12).
Process--On One or Multiple Liquids
[0118] In another embodiment, a device capable of creating a low
frequency resonance excitation which can convert one or a mixture
two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more
liquids.
Process--Multiple Liquids can Mix Evenly
[0119] In a further embodiment, a device capable of creating a low
frequency resonance excitation which can mix two or more liquids
evenly.
Process--On Multiple Liquids can Blend Multiple Liquids
[0120] In an embodiment, a device capable of creating a resonance
excitation can process one or mix two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten or more liquids evenly and the liquids stay
evenly mixed (stable) for a period of time after the mixing occurs.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more
liquids stay evenly mixed (stable) for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4
days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12
days, 13 days, 14 days, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7
weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 13 weeks, 14
weeks, 15 weeks, 16 weeks, 17 weeks, 18 weeks, 19 weeks, 20 weeks,
21 weeks, 22 weeks, 23 weeks, 24 weeks, 25 weeks, 26 weeks, 27
weeks, 28 weeks, 29 weeks, 30 weeks, 31 weeks, 32 weeks, 33 weeks,
34 weeks, 35 weeks, 36 weeks, 37 weeks, 38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40
weeks, 41 weeks, 42 weeks, 43 weeks, 44 weeks, 45 weeks, 46 weeks,
47 weeks, 48 weeks, 49 weeks, 50 weeks, 51 weeks, 52 weeks, 13
months, 14 months, 15 months, 16 months, 17 months, 18 months, 19
months, 20 months, 21 months, 22 months, 23 months, 24 months, 25
months, 26 months, 27 months, 28 months, 29 months, 30 months, 31
months, 32 months, 33 months, 34 months, 35 months, 36 months, or
more. In our tests we have proved stability.
Carbon Activator
[0121] n Ri=9.29128 Fi, where n[1/s]--the rotation frequency of the
working wheel; R [m]--the radius of the peripheral annular surface
of the working wheel.
Recirculation Technique Optionality
[0122] Process Recirculation--Percentage of Converted Material that
is Recirculated
[0123] In another embodiment, through the methods disclosed herein,
a combination of recycling of the acoustic mechanical vibration
(ultrasound oscillations , resonance excitation) converted material
on its own or also passing through a solid state magnetic flux
field, can be recycled through one or more recirculation lines. The
placing of the recirculation line can be placed directly after the
mechanical ultrasound device (HE-ART Converter), similar to that
taught in PCT/RU92/00195 & PCT/RU92/00194 (Kladov recirculation
line) or further downstream of the acoustic mechanical device
(HE-ART Converter), either in an open mode, where by 100% of the
converted material passes out of our system into the clients
desired operational system, or a recycled mode. Where by the amount
of converted liquid can be recycled at least 0%, at least 1%, at
least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at
least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at
least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%,
at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least
21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at
least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%,
at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least
35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at
least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%,
at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least
49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at
least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%,
at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least
63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at
least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%,
at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least
77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at
least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%,
at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least
91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at
least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least
100%, of the converted flow. However, the ideal recirculation flow
is between 18% and 50%, depending on the type of liquid being
converted.
[0124] This optional recirculation of the resonance excited
converted flow into the inflow of the acoustic mechanical device
(HE-ART Converter Device) for repeated treatment, in order to
further optimize the reorganizing of the molecular bonds within the
liquid. The process of recycling the converted flow of treated
liquid causes growth and stabilization of the acoustic mechanical
effect. This phenomenon has been described with the previous art as
being associated with the process of relaxation of the absorbed
energy of the resonating frequency of the intermolecular links
between molecules resonating from the molecular liquid structure
within the acoustic mechanical vibrations (HE-ART Converter Device)
treatment chamber. The relaxation phase where by the recycled
material helps to strengthen and stabilize the low frequency,
leading to an increase in the process of breakup of solvation
molecular shells and paramagnetic cores of the converted molecules.
The use of recycled processed material is not always necessary,
this will always depend on the type and quality of the untreated
liquid being converted.
[0125] Examples of recirculation and non-recirculated liquid
results are shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14 & 15
Process Recirculation--Number Passes of Recirculated Material
[0126] In another embodiment, the processed material can be
recirculated a number of time to improve the effect of acoustic
mechanical vibration frequency. This can be at least once, least
twice, at least three times, at least four times, at least five
times, at least six times, at least seven times, at least eight
times, at least nine times, at least ten times, at least eleven
times, at least twelve times, at least thirteen times, at least
fourteen times, at least fifteen times, at least sixteen times, at
least seventeen times, at least eighteen times, at least nineteen
times, at least twenty times, twenty one times, twenty two times,
twenty three times, twenty four times, twenty five times, twenty
six times, twenty seven times, twenty eight times, twenty nine
times, thirty times, or more times.
Process Recirculation--The Amount of Time You Recirculate Converted
Material
[0127] In another embodiment, the converted material can be
recirculated for a period of time to improve the effect of acoustic
mechanical vibration frequency. This can be at least 1 minute, at
least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 4 minutes, at least 5
minutes, at least 6 minutes, at least 7 minutes, at least 8
minutes, at least 9 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 12
minutes, at least 13 minutes, at least 14 minutes, at least 15
minutes, least 16 minutes, at least 17 minutes, at least 18
minutes, at least 19 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 21
minutes, at least 22 minutes, at least 23 minutes, at least 24
minutes, at least 25 minutes, at least 26 minutes, at least 27
minutes, at least 28 minutes, at least 29 minutes, at least 30
minutes, at least 31 minutes, at least 32 minutes, at least 33
minutes, at least 34 minutes, at least 35 minutes, at least 36
minutes, at least 37 minutes, at least 38 minutes, at least 39
minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 41 minutes, at least 42
minutes, at least 43 minutes, at least 44 minutes, at least 45
minutes, at least 46 minutes, at least 47 minutes, at least 48
minutes, at least 49 minutes, at least 50 minutes, at least 51
minutes, at least 52 minutes, at least 53 minutes, at least 54
minutes, at least 55 minutes, at least 56 minutes, at least 57
minutes, at least 58 minutes, at least 59 minutes, at least 1 hour,
at least 1 hour, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. The
period of the recirculation is for no more than zero to 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. The period of recirculation is for
at least zero to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours.
Commercial Process--HE-ART Converter Device Example (FIG. 1)
[0128] In an embodiment, a process flow diagram is provided that
sets forth the steps involved in the preconditioning of one, two or
more liquids is depicted in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 1, Steps
1-16 are set forth. In one embodiment, these steps entail; [0129]
FIG. 1, no 1--The pre-converting and buffering of a heavy oil,
herein referred to as a heavier hydrogen bonded stream in a storage
tank; pre-converting may include without limitations pre blending
the heavy oil with a lighter stream (FIG. 1, no 2C), pre blending
heavy oil or fractional residuum or a hydrocarbon solids with a
lighter stream, which still leaves the resulting liquid for
converting as heavy hydrocarbon stream. [0130] FIG. 1, no
L1--Diluent, which is herein referred to as a lighter hydrogen
bonded stream in a storage tank; [0131] FIG. 1, no 2C--The lighter
hydrocarbon stream can be pre blended in a heavier stream in tank 1
(FIG. 1, no 1) [0132] FIG. 1, no 1A--The heavier hydrogen bonded
stream passes through a temperature induction device to heat and/or
cool of the heavier hydrogen bonded stream; [0133] FIG. 1, no
2B--The flow through the whole unified system is controlled using a
number of controllers that control the speed of the mixture of a
heavier hydrogen bonded stream and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream
and the pressure exerted on the mixture as it passes through the
device; [0134] FIG. 1, no 1C--The heavier hydrogen bonded stream
passes through a feed pump for the heavier hydrogen bonded stream
that is equipped with a device for controlling the speed and the
supply of pressure; [0135] FIG. 1, no 1D--The heavier hydrogen
bonded stream then passes through a filtering element; [0136] FIG.
1, no 1E--The heavier hydrogen bonded stream next passes through a
metering station that evaluates the rate of flow, the temperature,
the pressure and the viscosity of heavier hydrogen bonded stream;
[0137] FIG. 1, no 3A--One or both blended stream/streams pass
through a solid state magnetic flux field/fields. [0138] FIG. 1, no
2 & 3B--HE-ART Converter Device--The heavier hydrogen bonded
stream and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream are mixed and begin to
pass through the device as described in an embodiment for FIG. 2
and FIG. 5 herein; the heavier hydrogen bonded stream and a lighter
hydrogen bonded stream may be pre-blended before entering FIG. 1,
no 1A, from tank 1, and fed to the device in a unified stream of
the main supply line. [0139] FIG. 1, no 2A--The HE-ART Converter
Device is controlled by a relationship between RPM and frequency,
density, viscosity, chemical composition etc. [0140] FIG. 1, no
3C--The flow of processed material after passing through the HE-ART
Converter Device is passed through another solid state
magnet/magnets creating a magnetic flux field. [0141] FIG. 1, no
4--The flow of converted material can be recirculated back into the
main line between 0% and 100%, if deemed beneficial to create the
desired outcome. [0142] FIG. 1, no 2C--As the mixture of a heavier
hydrogen bonded stream and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream pass
through the HE-ART Converter Device, they pass through a
temperature induction device that is able to heat and/or cool the
mixture; [0143] FIG. 1, no 5--After passing through the HE-ART
Converter Device, the mixture of a heavier hydrogen bonded stream
and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream is then stored. This part of
the upgrading process we call the `Thermal Maturity Period`
(ART-TMP). This ART-TMP period of the storage combined with heat
can be for up to 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5
minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 15
minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40
minutes, 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 55 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 or more hours. The period of the storage is for no more
than zero to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. The
period of the storage is for at least zero to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 or more hours. The storage of the converted liquid
following passage through the HE-ART Converter Device is at a
temperature that ranges from ambient or room or outside temperature
to one hundred degrees centigrade. This may take place in the
general product line, which has a higher volume, velocity and
capacity than the device discharge line, thus acting as a reservoir
for completion of the resonance excitation process and effects.
[0144] FIG. 1, no 6--After a period of time in storage (ART-TMP),
which can be in a storage tank, a static tank, a tanker car or
truck, a pipe, a pipeline or other means of storage of the
converted liquid, the mixture of a heavier hydrogen bonded stream
and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream can then be tested for
upgrading effects. These effects could be , viscosity improvement,
distillation improvements, pour point improvement, stability,
hydrocarbon separation from H.sub.2O, to name but a few upgrading
improvements by using the HE-ART Converter Device. When meeting
upgrading targets, the mixture is transferred out of the tank or
existing pipeline infrastructure. The mixture of a heavier hydrogen
bonded stream and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream can be
transferred to a tanker truck, a tanker rail car, a pipeline or
other means of transferring the converted liquid from the site
where the liquid was processed by the HE-ART Converter Device and
process to another site, which in an embodiment is in a different
location or at the converting location.
Blending Technique
[0145] In an embodiment, a method and a HE-ART Converter Device may
be used to convert a liquid or blend two (or more) liquids
including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded
liquid, and further including, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil,
hydrocarbon liquid blended with a solid, DilBit or bitumen, blended
into a liquid containing a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur bond, or a
liquid and/or a liquefied hydrogen containing a gas. This technique
has to be employed initially for all upgrading improvements without
limitation: viscosity, fractionation and effects upon hydrocarbon
mixed with H.sub.2O etc.
Blending--Physical Starting Procedure for Blending Liquids
[0146] In an embodiment, a method to use a HE-ART Converter Device
to blend a liquid, including, without limitation, a hydrogen,
carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, and further including, without
limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a high
paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen, or mix/blend two or more
different liquids, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid,
includes, but is not limited to the following steps: initiating a
method to close a shutoff valve; followed by draining the system of
air; establishing a flow through the device of a liquid, including,
a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid and further including, a
heavy oil, including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude
oil, DilBit or bitumen; use of a flow meter to record the flow of a
liquid; wherein a cutter is added to the liquid through a cutter
line; wherein, a flow meter is used to establish a desired ratio
between a cutter and a liquid; and the flow of the liquid and the
cutter is modulated through the use of a viscometer, a density
meter and/or a mass meter; wherein the viscosity readings are
monitored to achieve the desired blend ratio of a liquid and a
cutter.
Blending--Ratio for Liquids
[0147] In an embodiment, a method and a HE-ART Converter Device are
suitable for blending two or more streams to produce fuel oils of
all standard grades.
[0148] In a further embodiment, use of the device for molecular
blending results in an upgraded liquid, including, without
limitation a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, including,
without limitation, a heavy feedstock, wherein the liquid is
diluted with a liquid of lower density or specific gravity,
including, a light feedstock, wherein, without limitation, the
ratio of a heavy feedstock and a lighter feedstock can be mixed in
any proportion. The ratio of a heavy feedstock to a lighter
feedstock is 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10,
1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 2:1,
3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1,
15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 2:3, 3:2, 2:5, 5:2, 2:7, 7:2,
2:9, 9:2, 2:11, 11:2, 2:13, 13:2, 2:15, 15:2, 2:17, 17:2, 870 2:19,
19:2, 3:5, 5:3, 3:7 7:3, 3:8, 8:3, 3:10, 10:3, 3:11, 11:3, 2:13,
13:3, 3:14, 14:3, 3:16, 16:3, 3:17, 17:3, 3:19, 19:3, 4:5, 5:4,
4:7, 7:4, 4:9, 9:4, 4:10, 10:4, 4:11, 11:4, 4:13, 13:4, 4:14, 14:4,
4:15, 15:4, 4:17, 17:4, 4:18, 18:4, 4:19, 19:4, 5:7, 7:5, 5:8, 8;5,
5:9, 9:5, 5:11, 11:5, 5:12, 12:5, 5:13, 13:5, 5:14, 14:5, 5:16,
16:5, 5:17, 17:5, 5:18, 18:5, 5:19, 19:5 or other ratio.
Blending--Resonant Excitation on Exit from HE-ART Converter
Device
[0149] In an embodiment, following the discharge of a converted
liquid or a mixture of two or more liquids from the rotor chamber,
the resonant excitation of the converting of one or mixture of two
or more liquids is increased. In an embodiment, the increase in the
resonant energy for the mixture of two or more liquids is at least
1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least
6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least
11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at
least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%,
at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least
25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at
least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%,
at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least
39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at
least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%,
at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least
53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at
least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%,
at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least
67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at
least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%,
at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least
81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at
least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%,
at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least
95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at
least 100% greater than the resonant energy of the two or more
liquids prior to entering the annular chamber.
Blending--Liquid Designations for Fuel Oils
[0150] In an embodiment, a liquid includes, without limitation,
fuel oils Nr. 1 thru 6; MGO, MDO, IFO, MFO, HFO, IFO 380, IFO 180,
LS380, LS180, LSMGO, ULSMGO, RMA 30, RMB 30, RMD 80, RME 180, RMF
180, RMG 380, RMH 380, RMK 380, RMH 700, RMK 700, IMO2020.
Blending--Liquid Specifications for Liquid Cutters
[0151] In an embodiment, a blended liquid consists of, without
limitation, ATB, VTB, distillate slurry, distillate cutters,
rectification distillates, light oil cutters, shale oil cutters,
and liquefied gas cutters.
Blending--Liquid Types of Base Liquids as Targets for Stability
Improvements
[0152] In an embodiment, a liquid includes, without limitation,
bitumen, condensate, DilBit, treater blend DilBit, dilsynbit,
diluent, neatbit, railbit, synbit, standard DilBit, lightened
DilBit, enhanced DilBit, emulsion, conventional oil light,
conventional oil medium, conventional oil heavy, sweet oil, sour
oil, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid, or other liquid for
which the methods and devices disclosed herein are capable of
blending and stability improvements.
Blending--Liquid Blend Percentage Based Desired Target Grade
[0153] In an embodiment, the blend proportions may vary depending
on the desired grade of fuel oil, including, without limitation, a
quantity of light cutter that comprises no more than 1%, no more
than 2%, no more than 3%, no more than 4%, no more than 5%, no more
than 6%, no more than 7%, no more than 8%, no more than 9%, no more
than 10%, no more than 11%, no more than 12%, no more than 13%, no
more than 14%, no more than 15%, no more than 16%, no more than
17%, no more than 18%, no more than 19%, no more than 20%, no more
than 21%, no more than 22%, no more than 23%, no more than 24%, no
more than 25%, no more than 26%, no more than 27%, no more than
28%, no more than 29%, no more than 30%, no more than 31%, no more
than 32%, no more than 33%, no more than 34%, no more than 35%, no
more than 36%, no more than 37%, no more than 38%, no more than
39%, no more than 40%, no more than 41%, no more than 42%, no more
than 43%, no more than 44%, no more than 45%, no more than 46%, no
more than 47%, no more than 48%, no more than 49%, no more than
50%, no more than 51%, no more than 52%, no more than 53%, no more
than 54%, no more than 55%, no more than 56%, no more than 57%, no
more than 58%, no more than 59%, no more than 60%, no more than
61%, no more than 62%, no more than 63%, no more than 64%, no more
than 65%, no more than 66%, no more than 67%, no more than 68%, no
more than 69%, no more than 70%, no more than 71%, no more than
72%, no more than 73%, no more than 74%, no more than 75%, no more
than 76%, no more than 77%, no more than 78%, no more than 79%, no
more than 80%, no more than 81%, no more than 82%, no more than
83%, no more than 84%, no more than 85%, no more than 86%, no more
than 87%, no more than 88%, no more than 89%, no more than 90%, no
more than 91%, no more than 92%, no more than 93%, no more than
94%, no more than 95% or no more than 96% compared to conventional
blending and mixing methods that do not utilize a HE-ART Converter
Device, including, without limitation, a device that blends using
acoustic mechanical energy or resonance excitation.
Viscosity Reduction Technique (FIG. 1 and FIG. 10)
[0154] In an embodiment, a method and a device are capable, without
limitation, of converting one or blending a mixture of two or more
liquids, including without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or
sulfur-bonded liquid, and further, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, a
hydrocarbon liquid blended with a solid, DilBit or a bitumen with a
diluent, including, without limitation, a light cutter stock, such
as, without limitation, a diluent, or solvent, which is a light
hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the
crude oil being processed. Including, but not limited to a straight
run diesel distillate, a straight run kerosene distillate, a
straight run naphtha distillate, a straight run distillate slurry,
an oil product slurry, a liquefied hydrogen containing gas, a gas
condensate and/or a lighter or high API crude, including, but not
limited to, a shale oil, a light high API crude oils, other crude
oils, including, without limitation, a crude oil that is lighter
than a liquid into which a diluent is added, including a crude oil,
a hydrocarbon solid and a hydrocarbon blended H.sub.2O liquid.
Viscosity--Ratio for Liquids
[0155] In a further embodiment, use of a device results in a
reduction of viscosity of a liquid, including, without limitation a
hydrogen, carbon or sulfur--bonded liquid, including, without
limitation, a heavy feedstock, wherein the liquid is diluted with a
liquid of lower density or specific gravity, including, a light
feedstock, wherein, without limitation, the ratio of a heavy
feedstock and a lighter feedstock can be mixed in any proportion.
The ratio of a heavy feedstock to a lighter feedstock is 1:1, 1:2,
1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14,
1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1,
8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1,
19:1, 20:1, 2:3, 3:2, 2:5, 5:2, 2:7, 7:2, 2:9, 9:2, 2:11, 11:2,
2:13, 13:2, 2:15, 15:2, 2:17, 17:2, 2:19, 19:2, 3:5, 5:3, 3:7 7:3,
3:8, 8:3, 3:10, 10:3, 3:11, 11:3, 2:13, 13:3, 3:14, 14:3, 3:16,
16:3, 3:17, 17:3, 3:19, 19:3, 4:5, 5:4, 4:7, 7:4, 4:9, 9:4, 4:10,
10:4, 4:11, 11:4, 4:13, 13:4, 4:14, 14:4, 4:15, 15:4, 4:17, 17:4,
4:18, 18:4, 4:19, 19:4, 5:7, 7:5, 5:8, 8;5, 5:9, 9:5, 5:11, 11:5,
5:12, 12:5, 5:13, 13:5, 5:14, 14:5, 5:16, 16:5, 5:17, 17:5, 5:18,
18:5, 5:19, 19:5 or other ratio.
Viscosity--Liquid Types of Base Liquids as Targets for Viscosity
Reduction
[0156] In an embodiment, a liquid includes, without limitation,
bitumen, condensate, DilBit, treater blend DilBit, dilsynbit,
diluent, neatbit, railbit, synbit, standard DilBit, lightened
DilBit, enhanced DilBit, emulsion, conventional oil light,
conventional oil medium, conventional oil heavy, sweet oil, sour
oil, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid, or other liquid and
solids for which the methods and devices disclosed herein are
capable of reducing the viscosity.
Viscosity--Thermal Maturity Period (ART-TMP) Temperature.
[0157] In one embodiment, after passing through the HE-ART
Converter Device, the mixture of a heavier hydrogen bonded stream
and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream is then stored, which the
process is termed the `Thermal Maturity Period` (ART-TMP). The
temperature of this processed material should be maintained at a
minimum of the HE-ART Converter Device exit temperature. This
thermal temperature should be at least 1.degree. C., at least
2.degree. C., at least 3.degree. C., at least 4.degree. C., at
least 5.degree. C., at least 6.degree. C., at least 7.degree. C.,
at least 8.degree. C., at least 9.degree. C., at least 10.degree.
C., at least 11.degree. C., at least 12.degree. C., at least
13.degree. C., at least 14.degree. C., at least 15.degree. C., at
least 16.degree. C., at least 17.degree. C., at least 18.degree.
C., at least 19.degree. C., at least 20.degree. C., at least
21.degree. C., at least 22.degree. C., at least 23.degree. C., at
least 24.degree. C., at least 25.degree. C., at least 26.degree.
C., at least 27.degree. C., at least 28.degree. C., at least
29.degree. C., at least 30.degree. C., at least 31.degree. C., at
least 32.degree. C., at least 33.degree. C., at least 34.degree.
C., at least 35.degree. C., at least 36.degree. C., at least
37.degree. C., at least 38.degree. C., at least 39.degree. C., at
least 40.degree. C., at least 41.degree. C., at least 42.degree.
C., at least 43.degree. C., at least 44.degree. C., at least
45.degree. C., at least 46.degree. C., at least 47.degree. C., at
least 48.degree. C., at least 49.degree. C., at least 50.degree.
C., at least 51.degree. C., at least 52.degree. C., at least
53.degree. C., at least 54.degree. C., at least 55.degree. C., at
least 56.degree. C., at least 57.degree. C., at least 58.degree.
C., at least 59.degree. C., at least 60.degree. C., at least
61.degree. C., at least 62.degree. C., at least 63.degree. C., at
least 64.degree. C., at least 65.degree. C., at least 66.degree.
C., at least 67.degree. C., at least 68.degree. C., at least
69.degree. C., at least 70.degree. C., at least 71.degree. C., at
least 72.degree. C., at least 73.degree. C., at least 74.degree.
C., at least 75.degree. C., at least 76.degree. C., at least
77.degree. C., at least 78.degree. C., at least 79.degree. C., at
least 80.degree. C., at least 81.degree. C., at least 82.degree.
C., at least 83.degree. C., at least 84.degree. C., at least
85.degree. C., at least 86.degree. C., at least 87.degree. C., at
least 88.degree. C., at least 89.degree. C., at least 90.degree.
C., at least 91.degree. C., at least 92.degree. C., at least
93.degree. C., at least 94.degree. C., at least 95.degree. C., at
least 96.degree. C., at least 97.degree. C., at least 98.degree.
C., at least 99.degree. C., or a maximum of 100.degree. C.
Viscosity--Thermal Maturity Period (ART-TMP) Time.
[0158] In one embodiment, after passing through the HE-ART
Converter Device, the mixture of a heavier hydrogen bonded stream
and a lighter hydrogen bonded stream is then stored, which the
process is termed the `Thermal Maturity Period` (ART-TMP). The
period of the storage combined with heat can be for up to 1 minute,
2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8
minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes,
30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 55
minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. The period of
the storage is for no more than zero to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10 or more hours. The period of the storage is for at least zero to
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more hours. The storage of the
mixture following passage through the HE-ART Converter device is at
a temperature that ranges from ambient or room or outside
temperature to a specific temperature below one hundred degrees
centigrade. This may take place in the general product line, which
has a higher volume, velocity and capacity than the device
discharge line, thus acting as a reservoir for completion of the
resonance excitation process and effects.
Viscosity--Viscosity Reduction Percentage
[0159] In a further embodiment, through converting of a liquid
using a device, including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon
or sulfur-bonded liquid, wherein, the converting reduces the
viscosity of a liquid, including, without limitation, a
hydrogen-bonded liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a processed high paraffinic crude
oil, DilBit or bitumen, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid is
reduced by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at
least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at
least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%,
at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least
19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at
least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%,
at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least
33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at
least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%,
at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least
47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at
least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%,
at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least
61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at
least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%,
at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least
75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at
least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%,
at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least
89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at
least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%,
at least 99% or at least 100%.
Viscosity--Liquid Cutter Blending Percentage Reduction Based on
Target Viscosity
[0160] In an embodiment, the amount of a cutter that is added to a
liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil, and further,
without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen,
hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid that is run through a
device is reduced by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at
least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at
least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%,
at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least
18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at
least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%,
at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least
32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at
least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%,
at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, at least
46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at
least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%,
at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least
60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at
least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%,
at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least
74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at
least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%,
at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least
88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at
least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%,
at least 98%, at least 99% as compared to the amount of cutter used
when a device is not utilized.
Viscosity--Pour Point Reduction
[0161] In another embodiment, the pour point of a liquid,
including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded
liquid, including, without limitation, a heavy oil, including,
without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen,
hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid is reduced by at least 1%,
at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at
least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at
least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%,
at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least
21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at
least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%,
at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least
35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at
least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%,
at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least
49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at
least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%,
at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least
63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at
least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%,
at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least
77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at
least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%,
at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least
91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at
least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least
100%.
Fractionation Technique (FIG. 1 and FIG. 9)
[0162] In an embodiment, a method and a device are capable, without
limitation, of converting one or blending a mixture of two or more
liquids, including without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or
sulfur-bonded liquid, and further, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil,
hydrocarbon liquid blended with a solid, DilBit or a bitumen with a
diluent, including, without limitation, a light cutter stock, such
as, without limitation, a diluent, or solvent, which is a light
hydrocarbon to improve the distillation of lighter cuts below 350
deg C. The hydrocarbon liquid being processed, including, but not
limited to a straight run diesel distillate, a straight run
kerosene distillate, a straight run naphtha distillate, a straight
run distillate slurry, an oil product slurry, a liquefied hydrogen
containing gas, a gas condensate and/or a lighter or high API
crude, including, but not limited to, a shale oil, a light high API
crude oils, other crude oils, including, without limitation, a
crude oil that is lighter than a liquid into which a diluent is
added, including a crude oil, a hydrocarbon liquid blended with a
solid, or a bitumen, DilBit and a hydrocarbon blended H.sub.2O
liquid.
Fractionation--Unit Equipment
[0163] In an embodiment, the invention includes, without
limitation, a plant to fractionate a liquid, including, without
limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, and further
including, without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without
limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen,
hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid by way of distillation,
comprising: interconnecting by pipelines a feeding pump; at least
one fractionating tower; and a pre-installed HE-ART Converter
Device for the preliminary treatment of liquid, wherein the HE-ART
Converter Device for the preliminary treatment of liquid effects
resonant excitation of a liquid and the acoustic mechanical device,
HE-ART Converter, is sequentially installed between the outlet of
the feeding pump and the inlet of the fractionating tower.
[0164] In an embodiment, an inlet of a device for resonant
excitation of a liquid including, without limitation, a hydrogen,
carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, and further including, without
limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a high
paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen, hydrocarbon solids blended
into a liquid is connected to an inlet of a fractionating tower
through a shut-off-control element.
[0165] In another embodiment, a loop of a partial return into a
fractionating tower of a residual fraction, comprises, without
limitation, a feeding pump and a heating device sequentially
interconnected by a pipeline, wherein, and without limitation, into
the loop of a partial return of a residual fraction there is
sequentially installed a second HE-ART Converter Device for
resonant excitation of the liquid including, without limitation, a
hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded liquid, and further including,
without limitation, a heavy oil, including, without limitation, a
high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit or bitumen, hydrocarbon solids
blended into a liquid.
Fractionation--Process
[0166] In an embodiment, a fractionation process of a liquid,
including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded
liquid, and further including, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit
or bitumen, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid by way of
distillation, comprising, without limitation, a preliminary
treatment of the liquid with the help of a HE-ART Converter Device,
including, without limitation, a pre-installed rotary hydrodynamic
source of acoustic mechanical oscillations, followed by, without
limitation, the supply of the preliminarily converted liquid into a
fractionating tower and the outflow of distilled and residual
fractions.
[0167] In a further embodiment, a fractionation process includes a
diversion of part of a general flow of a liquid that is to be
fractionated, wherein the diverted part of a general flow is
subjected to a preliminary converted treatment with a HE-ART
Converter Device, following which the diverted converted flow and a
non-diverted flow are combined prior to feeding the combined liquid
into a fractionating tower.
[0168] In a further embodiment, a fractionation process includes a
diversion of part of a general flow of a liquid that is to be
fractionated, wherein the diverted part of a general flow is
subjected to a preliminary conversion treatment with a HE-ART
Converter Device and the non-diverted flow is also subjected to a
preliminary treatment with a HE-ART Converter Device, wherein,
without limitation the diverted flow and non-diverted flow are
subject to the same preliminary conversion treatment or are
subjected to a different preliminary treatment, following which the
diverted converted flow and a non-diverted converted flow are
combined prior to feeding the combined liquid into a fractionating
tower.
Fractionation--Improving % of Target Cut in Distillation
[0169] In an embodiment, if the target cut is blended into the
heavier main stream we have observed that this lighter stream will
increase in percentage on return to the fractionation tower. The
amount of target cut blended into the main stream should be least
1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least
6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least
11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at
least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%,
at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least
25% of the total processed liquid.
Fractionation--Process liquid Blending Percentages
[0170] In an embodiment, a partial flow amounts to at least 1%, at
least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at
least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at
least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%,
at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least
21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at
least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%,
at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least
35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at
least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%,
at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least
49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at
least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%,
at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least
63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at
least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%,
at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least
77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at
least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%,
at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least
91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at
least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or more of the
full flow.
Fractionation--Distillation Improvement of Lights Below 350 Deg
C.
[0171] In an embodiment, the increase of lights below 350 deg C. is
at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at
least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at
least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%,
at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least
20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at
least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%,
at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least
34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at
least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%,
at least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least
48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at
least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%,
at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least
62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at
least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%,
at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least
76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at
least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%,
at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least
90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at
least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%
or more of the full flow.
H.sub.2O Separation Technique
[0172] EP0667386 and RU2060785C1 discusses in depth the influence
of acoustic mechanical vibrations on H.sub.2O mixed with
hydrocarbon, and either how to blend it into the hydrocarbon.
[0173] However, have found that when employing the HE-ART Converter
process, the hydrocarbon and other mineral elements have separated
and formed into stratified layers.
Process H.sub.2O--Acoustic Mechanical Treatment
[0174] In an embodiment, the invention includes, without
limitation, H.sub.2O amounts to be at least 1%, at least 2%, at
least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at
least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at
least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%,
at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least
22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at
least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%,
at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least
36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at
least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%,
at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least
50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at
least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%,
at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least
64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at
least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%,
at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least
78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, of the H.sub.2O liquid hydrocarbon
mix.
Process H.sub.2O--Acoustic Mechanical Treatment and Environmental
Cleaning Unit
[0175] In an embodiment, the invention includes, without
limitation, a plant to separate hydrocarbon from H.sub.2O,
including, without limitation, a hydrogen, carbon or sulfur-bonded
liquid, and further including, without limitation, a heavy oil,
including, without limitation, a high paraffinic crude oil, DilBit
or bitumen, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid, by way of
separation, comprising: interconnecting by pipelines a feeding
pump; at least one separation tank; and a pre-installed acoustic
mechanical device (HE-ART Converter device) for the preliminary
treatment of liquid, wherein the device for the preliminary
treatment of liquid effects resonant excitation of a liquid and the
acoustic mechanical device (HE-ART Converter) is sequentially
installed between the outlet of the feeding pump and the inlet of
the separation tank/tanks.
Patents/Patent Applications Incorporated by Reference
[0176] The following patents and patent applications are hereby
incorporated herein in their entirety: EP0667386, WO/1994/010261,
WO/1994/009894, RU2149886, EP1260266, WO/2003/093398,
WO/2003/92884, WO/2011/127512, WO/2002/093398, US 2018/0355260, US
2018/0355261, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,128,043, 6,056,872, 4,210,535,
4,367,143, 4,153,559, 5,227,683, 5,269,916, 5,637,226, 5,161,512,
4,568,901, 4,146,479, 4,372,852, 4,605,498, 5,122,277, 5,030,344,
5,024,759, EP1233049, RU2215775, US/2008/0156701, WO/2011/086522,
EP0667386, WO/1994/010261, WO/1994/009894, RU2060785C1,
WO/2011/086522 and RU14022000.
INDUSTRIAL USES
VISCOSITY REDUCTION EXAMPLES (FIG. 11)
Example 1--Reduction of Viscosity on a Waterborne Vessel
[0177] A device of the invention is manufactured and fixed onto a
river or ocean going vessel. The vessel is in the harbor and is
brought in close proximity of the jetty, pier, terminal or other
type of dock, or to another vessel of the same size, smaller size
or bigger size. A pipe providing heavy oil, including but not
limited to high paraffinic crude oil, heavy fuel oil, long residue,
including but not limited to flexible pipe, pipe equipped with a
CAM-lock, coming from the shore or the other vessel is connected to
a tube that is attached to a pipe that leads into the device;
another pipe providing a diluent including but not limited to
straight run diesel or gasoil, kerosene, naphtha, gas condensate,
shale oil, vacuum gasoil, diesel fuel, kerosene fuel, MGO,
including but not limited to flexible pipe, pipe equipped with a
CAM-lock, coming from the shore or the other vessel is connected to
the a tube that is attached to a pipe that leads into the
device.
[0178] A second flexible pipe is attached to a pipe that is
attached to the device and which receives the outflow of a liquid
put through the device. The second flexible pipe is then attached
to a connection on the same vessel as the invention, the second
vessel, or on the shore, wherein the connection is attached to a
pipe that leads into an empty tank. Following the setup of the
device with the jetty, pier, terminal or other type of dock or the
second vessel, a heavy oil and a cutter are pumped from the jetty,
pier, terminal or other type of dock or the second vessel into the
HE-ART Converter Device. The HE-ART Converter Device is activated
and as a result, the heavy oil and the cutter are recombined in a
way that results in an oil product that has a reduced viscosity
and/or density. The heavy oil is pumped from the device into the
empty tank on the same vessel as the invention, the second vessel,
or on the shore. The number of cutter streams may be 1, 2, 3 or
more. However, it must be noted that for distillation, stability
improvements, no heating is needed. However, for viscosity
improvements, heating via the ART-TMP process will need to be
employed.
Example 2--Reduction of Viscosity on a Sled
[0179] A HE-ART Converter device of the invention is manufactured
and fixed onto a sled at an oil field. Following collection of a
heavy oil, including but not limited to high paraffinic crude oil,
bitumen or DilBit, hydrocarbon solids blended into a liquid, but
prior to it being put into a pipeline, the heavy oil is pumped
through the HE-ART Converter Device directly, or blended with a
cutter. Through the use of the HE-ART Converter Device, the amount
of cutter used is reduced to reach desired viscosity targets after
using the ART-TMP finishing process.
Tank Farm Blending (FIG. 10)
Example 1--Tank Farm
[0180] A HE-ART Converter Device/Devices of the invention are
installed on a fixed base where by it is connected to a tank of
hydrocarbon based liquid or hydrocarbon liquid solid blend,
destined for general sale. Or the liquid is passed through the
technology pre blended with an appropriate lighter cut and/or a
solid hydrocarbon, (like Gas Oil and or waste Coal) and placed in a
heated tank to settle for a period (or on permanent recirculation
for a period of time) before being sold as commercial fuel. Or the
liquid is passed through the HE-ART Converter technology and
ART-TMP process, and if possible back into the same heated tank and
left to settle for a period (or on permanent recirculation for a
period of time in a heated tank). The results are expected to show,
increased lighter fractions below 350 deg.sup.C, increased
calorific value, lower viscosity, improved pour point, and better
stability of converted liquid.
FRACTIONATION EXAMPLES (FIG. 9)
Example 1--Tank Farm Blending
[0181] The HE-ART Converter Device/Devices of the invention are
installed on a fixed base where by it is connected to a tank of
hydrocarbon based liquid or hydrocarbon liquid solid blend (such as
vacuum residue and/or coal solids) destined for the fractionation
tower. This liquid is passed through the technology and blended
with a specific target cut (like diesel) and either recirculated
immediately back into the atmospheric of vacuum tower etc or placed
in a heated tank to settle for a period (or on permanent
recirculation for a period of time) before entering the
fractionation process. The results will be that the lighter
fraction below 350 deg.sup.C will increase in volume, especially
the target cut that was blended into the liquid prior to
fractionation.
Example 3--Atmospheric Distillation
[0182] A HE-ART Converter process/Device/Devices of the invention
are installed on a fixed base where by it is connected to the
atmospheric tower. The HE-ART Converter process/Device/Devices take
a proportion of the tower bottoms and blend with a cutter such as
Gas oil, heavy or light kerosene, heavy naphtha. This is then fed
back into the atmospheric tower to create more lighter distillates
below 350 deg.sup.C. This will also increase the target cuts that
are a reflection of the cutter that was blended into the heavier
stream (tower bottoms).
Example 3--Vacuum Distillation
[0183] A HE-ART Converter process/Device/Devices of the invention
are installed on a fixed base where by it is connected to the
atmospheric tower. The HE-ART Converter process/Device Devices,
take up to proportion of the vacuum tower bottoms and blend this
with a cutter such as Heavy Vacuum Gas Oil (HVGO) or Light Vacuum
Gas Oil (LVGO). This is then fed back into the fractionation
process to create more lighter distillates below 350 deg.sup.C.
This will also increase the target cuts that are a reflection of
the cutter that was blended into the heavier stream (tower
bottoms).
Aspects of the Claims
[0184] Aspects of the Present Specification may also be Described
as Follows:
[0185] 1. A method for reducing the viscosity of an at least one
liquid, molecular stability of a liquid, and increasing light
hydrocarbon fractions using a device configured for resonance
excitation of said at least one liquid, the method comprising the
steps of: closing a shutoff valve of the HE-ART Converter Device;
draining the device of air; establishing a flow through the device
of the at least one liquid; recording the flow of said liquid using
a flow meter of the device; potentially, but not always necessary,
diluting the at least one liquid with a further liquid of
relatively lower density by mixing said liquids using resonance
excitation; if cutter is needed, establishing a desired ratio
between said liquids using the flow meter; modulating the flow of
said liquids, or liquid, using at least one of a viscometer, a
density meter, and a mass meter of the HE-ART Converter Device;
monitoring the viscosity of said liquids, or liquid, to achieve a
desired blend ratio thereof; and performing a fractioning process
on said liquids.
[0186] 2 The method according to embodiment 1, further comprising
the step of passing through a magnetic flux field produced by solid
state magnets (of same, or different strengths or different sizes),
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more
times.
[0187] 3. The method according to embodiment 1&2, further
comprising the step of maintaining an even mixture of at least one
liquid for an appropriate period of time.
[0188] 4. The method according to embodiments 1-3, wherein the step
of establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of at
least one liquid comprises the step of establishing a flow through
the HE-ART Converter Device of an at least one hydrogen-bonded
liquid.
[0189] 5. The method according to embodiments 1-4, wherein the step
of establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of at
least one hydrogen-bonded liquid comprises the step of establishing
a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of a heavy fuel oil.
[0190] 6. The method according to embodiments 1-5, wherein the step
of establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of a
heavy fuel oil comprises the step of establishing a flow through
the HE-ART Converter Device of a high paraffinic crude oil.
[0191] 7. The method according to embodiments 1-6, wherein the step
of performing a fractioning process comprises the steps of:
diverting a portion of a general flow of said liquid to be
subjected to a preliminary conversion treatment with resonance
excitation through a HE-ART Converter Device; combining the
diverted portion and non-diverted portion of the general flow of
said liquid; and feeding the combined liquid into a fractioning
tower device.
[0192] 8. The method according to embodiments 1-7, further
comprising the step of subjecting the non-diverted portion of the
general flow to a preliminary conversion treatment with resonance
excitation.
[0193] 9. The method according to embodiments 1-8, further
comprising the steps of: returning a portion of a residual fraction
from the fractioning tower back into said fractioning tower; and
subjecting said returned residual fraction to a preliminary
conversion treatment with resonance excitation through a HE-ART
Converter Device.
[0194] 10. The method according to embodiments 1-9, wherein the
step of diluting at least one liquid comprises the step of adding a
cutter to the at least one liquid through a cutter line of the
HE-ART Converter Device.
[0195] 11. The method according to embodiments 1-10, wherein the
step of adding a cutter to the at least one liquid comprises the
step of adding a light hydrocarbon to the at least one liquid to
reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the at least one
liquid.
[0196] 12. The method according to embodiments 1-11, wherein the
step of mixing the liquids using resonance excitation, with or
without solid state magnets, comprises the steps of: moving the
liquids into a cavity of a rotor that rotates inside a stator of
the HE-ART Converter Device; and discharging the liquids through a
series of outlet openings provided along a peripheral circumference
of the rotor, into an annular chamber formed by a coaxial wall
(stator) and the peripheral circumference of the rotor, at which
point the resonant excitation of the mixture of liquids is
converted.
[0197] 13. The method according to embodiments 1-12, further
comprising the step of controlling the rotation frequency of the
rotor based on at least one of the liquids viscosity, the pour
point of the liquids, flash point of the liquids, the asphaltene
and wax content of the liquids, the paraffin content of the
liquids, the flow temperature of the liquids, the chemical
composition of the liquids, the revolutions per minute of the
motor, and the rheology of the liquids.
[0198] 14. A method for reducing the viscosity of a liquid and
increasing light hydrocarbon fractions of an at least one liquid
using a device configured for resonance excitation, with or without
solid state magnets, of at least one liquid. The method comprising
the steps of: establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter
Device of the at least one liquid; recording the flow of said
liquid using a flow meter; diluting at least one liquid with a
further liquid of relatively lower density by mixing said liquids
using resonance excitation with or without solid state magnets;
establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using the flow
meter; modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of a
viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter of the HE-ART
Converter Device; monitoring the viscosity of said liquids to
achieve a desired blend ratio thereof; diverting a portion of a
general flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary
converted treatment with resonance excitation, with or without
solid state magnets; combining the diverted converted portion and
non-diverted portion of the general flow of said liquid; and
feeding the combined liquid into a fractioning tower downstream of
the HE-ART Converter Device.
[0199] 15. A method for increasing light hydrocarbon fractions of a
heavy fuel oil using a device configured for resonance excitation,
with or without solid state magnets, of said oil, the method
comprising the steps of: establishing a flow through the HE-ART
Converter Device of the fuel oil; recording the flow of the fuel
oil using a flow meter of the HE-ART Converter Device; diluting the
fuel oil with a light hydrocarbon liquid of relatively lower
density by mixing the fuel oil and hydrocarbon liquid using
resonance excitation, with or without solid state magnets;
establishing a desired ratio between said liquids using the flow
meter; modulating the flow of said liquids using at least one of a
viscometer, a density meter, and a mass meter of the device;
monitoring the viscosity of said liquids to achieve a desired blend
ratio thereof; diverting a portion of a general flow of said liquid
to be subjected to a preliminary conversion treatment with
resonance excitation; combining the diverted portion and
non-diverted portion of the general flow of said liquid; and
feeding the combined liquid into a fractioning tower downstream of
the HE-ART Converter Device.
[0200] 16. A method for reducing the viscosity liquid and
increasing light hydrocarbon fractions of a heavy fuel oil using a
device configured for resonance excitation, with or without solid
state magnets, of said oil, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of the
hydrocarbon liquid, or; recording the flow of the fuel oil using a
flow meter of the device; diluting the fuel oil with a light
hydrocarbon liquid of relatively lower density by mixing the fuel
oil and hydrocarbon liquid using resonance excitation, with or
without solid state magnets; establishing a desired ratio between
said liquids using the flow meter; modulating the flow of said
liquids using at least one of a viscometer, a density meter, and a
mass meter of the device; monitoring the viscosity of said liquids
to achieve a desired blend ratio thereof; a portion of a general
flow of said liquid to be subjected to a preliminary conversion
treatment with resonance excitation, with or without solid state
magnets; combining the diverted portion and non-diverted portion of
the general flow of said liquid; and diverting the processed liquid
through the ART-TMP process, whereby it will go through a period of
heat and time to effect the viscosity reduction process.
[0201] 17. The method according to embodiments 1-2, wherein the
step of establishing a flow through the HE-ART Converter Device of
hydrocarbon liquid blended with H.sub.2O, where by the Hydrocarbon
liquid is separated from the H.sub.2O.
[0202] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of
the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific
embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles
of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be
understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited
to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc.,
described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or
alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be
made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from
the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the
present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and
described.
[0203] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Of course, variations on these described
embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects
skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the
inventors intend for the present invention to be practiced
otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this
invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject
matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by
applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described
embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by
the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context.
[0204] Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of
the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each
group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any
combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is
anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in,
or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or
patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the
specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus
fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in
the appended claims.
[0205] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a
characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so
forth used in the present specification and claims are to be
understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
As used herein, the term "about" means that the characteristic,
item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified
encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below
the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter,
property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,
the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and
attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very
least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the
doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical
indication should at least be construed in light of the number of
reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding
techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values
setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations,
the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples
are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or
value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily
resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective
testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values
herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate numerical value falling
within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each
individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the
present specification as if it were individually recited
herein.
[0206] The terms "a," "an," "the" and similar referents used in the
context of describing the present invention (especially in the
context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both
the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can
be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any
and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided
herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present
invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the
invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present
specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed
element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0207] Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited
in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of
language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per
amendment, the transition term "consisting of" excludes any
element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The
transition term "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a
claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not
materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s).
Embodiments of the present invention so claimed are inherently or
expressly described and enabled herein.
[0208] All patents, patent publications, and other publications
referenced and identified in the present specification are
individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for
example, the compositions and methodologies described in such
publications that might be used in connection with the present
invention. These publications are provided solely for their
disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.
Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the
inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of
prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the
date or representation as to the contents of these documents is
based on the information available to the applicants and does not
constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or
contents of these documents.
[0209] It should be understood that the logic code, programs,
modules, processes, methods, and the order in which the respective
elements of each method are performed are purely exemplary.
Depending on the implementation, they may be performed in any order
or in parallel, unless indicated otherwise in the present
disclosure.
[0210] While aspects of the invention have been described with
reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly
understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not
limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be
interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is
made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed
subject matter is the invention.
* * * * *