Unipure Corporation

Thomas H Laity

Ernest O Ohsol

Thomas E Gillespie

John W Pinkerton

A method is described for making a high purity coke fuel or anode grade coke from a heavy petroleum residuum by contacting a molten anhydrous alkali metal hydroxide with the heavy petroleum residuum at a temperature and for a time sufficient to extract substantially all sulfur and heavy metals contained in the petroleum residuum to the alkali metal hydroxide and recovering the coke product.

Conversion of heavy petroleum oils to coke with a molten alkali metal

A process for upgrading heavy crude oil production is described which involves adding a diluent, or solvent, which is a light hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the crude oil being processed. After dilution, the emulsions in the crude are broken and the separation of the crude into the components follows, aided by a second injection of diluent. This upgrades the crude and enhances the amount recovered for processing at a refinery. A high asphalt content of a heavy crude can also be tolerated in the practice of this invention resulting in environmentally-benign solids and water exiting a process which due to the modularization of equipment can be practiced at the well-head itself.

Growing community of inventors

Nassau Bay, TX, United States of America

Thomas H Laity