Method for making and slurrying wax beads

Claim 2

A process for transporting a hydrocarbon mixture as a slurry, the process comprising: 1. fractionating the hydrocarbon mixture into at least a relatively low pour point fraction and a relatively high pour point fraction, 2. introducing at least a portion of the relatively high pour point fraction into the bottom of a tower having a continuous stream of water flowing countercurrent to the introduction of the relatively higher pour point fraction and wherein the water enters the top portion of the tower at a temperature at least about 5°F. below the congelation temperature of the relatively high pour point fraction, 3. dispersing into the water within the tower the high pour point fraction as particles having an average diameter within the range of about 0.05 to about 20 mm, said dispersion being under nonturbulent flow conditions, and permitting the dispersed particles to stay in contact with the water for sufficient time to substantially congeal the particles, 4. passing the resulting congealed particles through an interface, the interface being the juncture between a liquid hydrocarbon comprised of the low pour point fraction introduced into the top of the tower, and the water within the tower, 5. withdrawing at least a portion of the resulting slurry of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon at about the interface and thereafter transporting the slurry at temperature below those which bring about substantial solution of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is a "waxy" crude oil.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is a crude oil having an average wax concentration of about 1 to about 80 % by weight.

Claim 5

The process of claim 1 wherein the "waxy" crude oil has an average pour point above about the average seasonably minimum temperature of the transportation system.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is a crude oil having an average pour point of about -10° to about 200°F.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein the transportation system is a conduit.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 wherein the relatively high pour point fraction is equivalent to about 20 to about 70% of the weight of the hydrocarbon mixture.

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 wherein slurrying is effected at a temperature at least about 5°F. below the solution temperature of the congealed particles in the low pour point fraction.

Claim 10

The process of claim 1 wherein the particles are congealed at a temperature at least about 5°F. below the pour point of the high pour point fraction.

Claim 11

The process of claim 1 wherein an equivalent amount of up to about 50% by weight of the high pour point fraction is cracked before it is dispersed into the tower.

Claim 12

The process of claim 1 wherein the average diameter of the congealed particles is about 0.1 to about 10 mm.

Claim 13

The process of claim 1 wherein a liquid diluent soluble in the liquid hydrocarbon is admixed with the low pour point fraction before, during or after the slurrying.

Claim 14

The process of claim 1 wherein the relatively high pour point fraction is introduced into the bottom of the tower under turbulent flow.

Claim 15

The process of claim 1 wherein the average diameter of the congealed particles is about 0.5 to about 5 mm.

Claim 16

A process of transporting a "waxy" crude oil in a conduit as a slurry, the process comprising: 1. fractionating the crude oil into at least a relatively low pour point fraction and a relatively high pour point fraction, 2. dispersing the high pour point fraction at a temperature of about 15° to about 200°F. above its average congelation temperature into water within the bottom of a tower as particles having an average diameter of about 0.05 to about 20 mm., the dispersion being under nonturbulent flow conditions, the tower having a continuous stream of water flowing countercurrent to the introduction of the high pour point fraction and the water entering the tower is at least 5°F. below the average congelation temperature of the high pour point fraction, 3. permitting the dispersed particles to remain in contact with the water for sufficient time to at least substantially congeal the particles, 4. passing the congealed particles upward through the tower and through an interface within the upper portion of the tower, the interface being the juncture of water within the tower and a liquid hydrocarbon introduced into the tower at a position above the interface, the liquid hydrocarbon comprised of the relatively low pour point fraction, and 5. withdrawing at least a portion of the resulting slurry of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon and transporting the slurry in a conduit at a temperature below about the solution temperature of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon.

Claim 17

A process of transporting a "waxy" crude oil in a conduit as a slurry, the process comprising: 1. fractionating the crude oil into at least a relatively low pour point fraction and a relatively high pour point fraction, 2. dispersing the high pour point fraction at a temperature of about 15° to about 200°F. above its average congelation temperature into water within the bottom of a tower as particles having an average diameter of about 0.05 to about 20 mm., the dispersion being under nonturbulent flow conditions, the tower having a continuous stream of water flowing countercurrent to the introduction of the high pour point fraction and the water entering the tower is at least 5°F. below the average congelation temperature of the high pour point fraction, 3. permitting the dispersed particles to remain in contact with the water for sufficient time to at least substantially congeal the particles, 4. passing the congealed particles upward through the tower and through an interface within the upper portion of the tower, the interface being the juncture of water within the tower and a liquid hydrocarbon introduced into the tower at a position above the interface, the liquid hydrocarbon comprised of the relatively low pour point fraction, and 5. withdrawing at least a portion of the resulting slurry of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon and transporting the slurry in a conduit at a temperature below about the solution temperature of the congealed particles in the liquid hydrocarbon.

Claim 18

The process of claim 15 wherein the average diameter of the congealed particles is about 0.1 to about 10 mm.

Claim 19

The process of claim 15 wherein the pour point of the "waxy" crude oil is about 0° to about 150°F.

Claim 20

The process of claim 15 wherein the relatively high pour point fraction is equivalent to about 20% to about 70% by weight of the crude oil.

Claim 21

The process of claim 15 wherein a portion of the crude oil is cracked during fractionation.

Claim 22

The process of claim 15 wherein fractionation is effected by distillation.

Claim 23

The process of claim 15 wherein an oleophilic surfactant is admixed with the high pour point fraction before it is congealed.

Claim 24

The process of claim 21 wherein about 0.001 to about 20% by volume, based on the high pour point fraction, of surfactant is admixed.

Claim 25

The process of claim 15 wherein a gas miscible wit the low pour point fraction is admixed with the slurry either before or during transportation of the slurry.

Claim 26

The process of claim 15 wherein a crude oil soluble in the liquid hydrocarbon is admixed with the slurry either before or during transportation of the slurry.

Claim 27

The process of claim 15 wherein the congealed particle is substantially coated with a solid material.

Claim 28

The process of claim 15 wherein the average diameter of the congealed particles is about 0.5 to about 5 mm.

Claim 29

The process of claim 15 wherein the concentration of congealed fraction in the slurry is about 1% to about 80% by weight.

Claim 30

The process of claim 15 wherein the concentration of congealed fraction in the slurry is about 10% to about 50% by weight.

Claim 31

The process of claim 15 wherein the congealed particle is substantially spherical.

Claim 32

The process of claim 15 wherein the high pour point fraction is dispersed through nozzles into the bottom of the tower.

Claim 33

The process of claim 15 wherein the high pour point fraction is at a temperature of about 30° to about 180°F. above the average congelation temperature of the high pour point fraction.