CANADIAN HEAVY

OIL ASSOCIATION

SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763
PS2005-343

Heavy-Oil Dilution
J.-F. Argillier, I. Hénaut, P. Gateau, and J.-P. Héraud, Inst. Français du Pétrole, and P. Glénat, Total S.A.

Copyright 2005, SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2005 SPE International Thermal Operations
and Heavy Oil Symposium held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1–3 November 2005.
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Abstract
Heavy or extra heavy crude oils cannot be transported by
pipeline without a prior reduction of their viscosity. This is
commonly obtained by blending the oil with light
hydrocarbons. In that case, the resulting viscosity of the
mixture depends only on the dilution rate, and on the
respective viscosities and densities of the oil and of the
diluent. Classical diluent are light crudes, condensates,
naphtha. Availability of the diluent and its possible recycling
needs of course to be taken in account. In this work we have
studied the influence of composition of the diluent on the
viscosity reduction efficiency. In particular we show that the
addition of a polar solvent to a solution of asphaltenes in
toluene acts on the colloidal structure of the asphaltenes. The
relative viscosity of the solution decreases, as well as the size
of the aggregates of asphaltenes. In the same way, by mixing
hydrocarbons and solvents owning polar functional groups in
their molecule, it is shown that the efficiency of the dilution of
heavy crude oils is enhanced. Hansen's theory can be used to
screen the solvent efficiency. At constant dilution rate, the
higher the polarity parameter or the hydrogen bonding
parameter of the solvent, the greater the relative viscosity
reduction of the diluted crude oil. Nevertheless, solvent
owning high hydrogen bonding are generally more viscous
than hydrocarbons. The influence of their interactions with the
asphaltenes is hidden when the results are expressed in
absolute viscosity. Polar solvents giving few hydrogen
bonding give a significant reduction of the viscosity of the
diluted crude oil. From an economical point of view, any
improvement of the efficiency of the thinner could be a benefit
for the process, by reducing the amount of solvent needed to
get an acceptable viscosity, and therefore allowing a greater
quantity of crude to be transported.
Introduction
The increasing oil demand and advances in heavy oil
production technologies is leading to the increased production
of this type of hydrocarbon. The reserves in Alberta, Canada
represent a potential resource of 1.7 billion barrels of oil and a
further 1.3 billion are considered to exist in the orinico belt
fields, Venezuela. The API gravity of these oils is extremely
low Athabascan heavy oil has an API gravity of between 8°-
10° API and Orinico Belt heavy oil has an API gravity of 10°-
12°. These high densities lead to correspondingly high
viscosities in the Athabascan case over 1,000,000 centiPoise
and between 1,500 and 3,000 for Venezuelan heavy oils at
reservoir temperatures. These physical properties make heavy
oil difficult to produce, separate and then transport. Most
pipeline systems require the dehydrated crude to have an API
gravity specification of 19°API (400 cP viscosity).
Although potential alternatives exist (Partial Upgrading on
site, Oil in water emulsion, Core Annular Flow) this
specification is in most cases obtained by dilution with a
lighter hydrocarbon additive. Condensates have been used
until the end of the 80's to transport almost the whole
production of the Canadian crude [1, 2]. Another choice to
dilute heavy oils is to use of a light crude, with an API gravity
range from 35 to 42 [2, 3]. Light oils are less efficient in
reducing the viscosity of heavy oils than condensates and they
are subjected to the same limitations of availability and of
compatibility with asphaltenes. Naphtha seems to be an
interesting alternative to the use of condensates [1]. Because
its high API gravity, it is very efficient in diluting heavy oils.
Naphthas show a good compatibility with asphaltenes and are
easily recycled. Dilution with naphtha associated with solvent
recycling has been used in Canada and in Venezuela.
This study aims at showing that the polarity of the thinner
has some influence of the viscosity reduction of the solution.
Some of the results presented here have been described
elsewhere [4].
2 SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763

Experimental part 25
Dilute regime Concentrated
regime
Heavy oil sample and naphtha characteristics 20

Relative viscosity
The heavy crude used in this study is Venezuelan extra C*
heavy oil, 8.5 API degree. SARA analysis is shown in Table 1. 15

10
SARA SARA (% weight) on C20+
(% weight) pentane heptane heptane SARA fractions 5
original heavy crude
C20+ C H N O S
0
Asphaltenes 17 14.1 83.8 7.5 1.3 1.7 4.8 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
% weight asphaltenes
Resins 33 37.3 82.8 8.9 1.5 2.0 4.3
Aromatics 37 37.2 84.3 10 <0.3 1.1 4.0 Figure 1: Concentration regimes: influence of asphaltene
content on heavy oil viscosity.
Saturates 12 11.4 86.6 13 <0.3 <0.2 <0.1

Table 1: Properties of the heavy crude. Dilution by Naphtha

For asphaltene studies, asphaltenes have been precipitated Evolution of the viscosity of the mixture of the Venezuelan
with pentane using the norm ASTM 863-69 and then grinded. heavy oil and naphtha is shown on Figure 2 for different
Remixing of asphaltenes in maltenes is carried out at 80°C for concentrations of naphtha. As expected the viscosity decreases
an hour. strongly with the diluent weight fraction.
The naphtha used as diluent has been analysed by gas
chromatography: it is composed of 24.9 weight % of Lederer [7] proposed a modified version of the classic
n-paraffin, 29.4% of iso-paraffin, 30.9% of cyclic paraffin and Arrhenius expression to represent the mixture viscosity:
14.8% of aromatic.
⎛ αVO ⎞ ⎛ αVO ⎞
log µ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ log µ O + ⎜⎜1 − ⎟⎟ log µ S
Viscosity measurements ⎝ αVO + VS ⎠ ⎝ αVO + VS ⎠
Samples have been mixed under gentle steering for 24
hours before viscosity measurements are performed using a a where VO, µO, VS, µS are respectively the volume fraction and
controlled stress rheometer AR2000 from TA Instruments. the viscosity for the oil (O) and the solvent (S) and where α is
The geometry used is cone-plate (Ø 6 cm, angle 2°). Double an empirical constant varying between 0 and 1. The fitting of
cylinder Couette geometry was used to measure viscosity of the parameter α to the values presented in Figure 2 using a
different diluent mixtures. least-square method leads to the value of 0.418 for α.

Origin of the viscosity of heavy oil

1000

100
Schematically, heavy crude oils can be divided into a non
colloidal liquid, the maltenes and a dark brown powder, the 10
Viscosity (Pa.s)

asphaltenes. Many papers have shown that these particular 1

solid components can self associate and increase the viscosity 0.1
of the middle with which they are mixed. In previous papers
0.01
[5,6] we investigated the influence of asphaltenes in their
natural environment by recombining maltenes and various 0.001

amounts of asphaltenes. By varying the concentration of 0.0001

asphaltenes in maltenes, we found the existence of a critical 0 20 40 60 80 100
Naphtha concentration (%w/w)
concentration above which the colloidal particles overlap
(figure 1). This structural change dramatically increases the
Figure 2: Influence of naphtha weight fraction on the
viscosity of the heavy crude oils. Limitation of overlapping
viscosity of the diluted Venezuelan heavy oil (T=20°C).
will likely reduce the viscosity. This could be enhanced by
increasing interactions between the solvent and the polar
compounds of the crude oil (mainly the asphaltenes) and An expression of α able has been proposed by Shu [8] to
breaking the asphaltenes/asphaltenes interactions. In the represent the viscosity of heavy oils or bitumen diluted with
following, we will see how this action can be done using polar light hydrocarbons. He correlated this parameter with the
solvent. viscosity ratio and the densities of solvent ρS and oil ρO:
SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763 3

17.04( ρ O − ρ S ) ρ O3.2745 ρ S1.6316 parameters are close from those of ASTM Fuel B for which
0.5237

α= solubilities parameters are known: δd = 15.3, δp = 0.4, δh = 0.6.

⎛µ ⎞
ln⎜⎜ O ⎟⎟
⎝ µS ⎠ In order to evaluate the influence of the polar component
The introduction in the former equation of the density and of the Hildebrand parameter, different organic solvents of
viscosity for our Venezuelan heavy oil and Naphtha leads to a different δp have been selected, keeping as constant as
α value of 0.407. This value agrees well with α obtained by possible the others solubility parameters (Table 2).
fitting the experimental values of the viscosity. This is an
indication that light hydrocarbons reduce the viscosity of
δd δp δh
heavy oils in the same way than for bitumen. Solvent
1/2 1/2
(MPa ) (MPa ) (MPa1/2)

Influence of the polarity of the diluent Naphtha 15.3 0.4 0.6

Ethyl acetate 15.8 5.3 7.2
Different polar solvents have been used to study the
influence of the polarity of the diluent to the efficiency of Butyraldehyde 14.7 5.3 7.0
viscosity reduction. Methylethylketone 16.0 9.0 5.1
Characterization of solvent polarity Butyronitrile 15.3 12.5 5.1

According to the theory of Hildebrand, the parameter δt is
a measure of molecular interactions. The solubility parameter
is defined by:
1
⎛ ∆E ⎞ 2
δ = ⎜⎜ LV ⎟⎟
⎝ VM ⎠ The solvents have been mixed with naphtha at 10 and 50%
with ∆ELV as cohesion energy and VM as molar volume.
In order to be able to distinguish between dispersion
forces, polar interactions and hydrogen bonding, Hansen [see
ref. 9] divided this solubility parameter in three parts, i.e. the
dispersion part δd, the polar part δp and the hydrogen bonding
part δh, called cohesion energy parameters:
δ 2t = δ d2 + δ 2p + δ 2h
The cohesion energy parameters of solvent mixtures can
be calculated from the parameters of each solvent using the
following equation:
i =n
δ = ∑ δ i × Vi
i =1
where δ is the Hansen parameter of the mixture (dispersion,
polar or hydrogen bonding part), δi is the Hansen parameter of
the pure solvent i and Vi is the volume fraction of the solvent i
in the mixture.
The dispersion component of the Hildebrand parameter
quantifies the London dispersion forces (or induced dipole-
Table 2: Hansen parameters of naphtha (approximation)
and polar co-solvents.
Efficiency of polar solvent as diluent
v/v. This allows getting synthetic solvents with polarity
parameter varying from 0 to 6.4. The Venezuelan heavy oil
has been diluted with 15% by weight with the synthetic
solvents. Viscosity measurements have been performed at
20°C. To compare dilution efficiency of solvents, results are
presented using relative viscosity defined as:
ηrel(c,T) = η(c,T) ηdiluent (T) with:
- η(c, T ) , the viscosity of the diluted crude at a concentration
c and temperature T (Pa.s).
- η diluent (T ) , the viscosity of the thinner at the temperature T
(Pa.s).
This representation allows taking no account of the simple
dilution effect and on the contrary to emphasis the eventual
contribution from organisation and structural modifications.
3500
3000

induced dipole forces). These forces correspond to weak Van

Relative Viscosity

der Waals interactions and we can think they will not have any 2500

effect on the asphaltene organisation. For the two other

components, we can expect an influence of their value on the 2000

association of the asphaltenes and therefore on the viscosity of

1500
the diluted crude. To verify this hypothesis, hydrocarbons
have been mixed with organic solvents of different δp and δh
1000
parameters, the resulting parameters of the synthetic mixture 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
being calculated according to last equation. The selected δ p (MPa 1/2
)
hydrocarbon is naphtha. Naphtha is the hydrocarbon mixture
commonly used to dilute heavy oils. From its composition,
one can assume in first approximation that its Hansen Figure 3: Influence of diluent polarity on the viscosity of
the diluted heavy oil.
4 SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763

We can see on Figure 3 that increasing the polarity of the hexanol, the dissociation phenomenon is maximal and
solvent leads to a decrease of the relative viscosity of the linkages between the elementary particles are broken. An
diluted oil. When the polar parameter becomes high, the increase of the hexanol fraction from 10 to 50% in toluene
efficiency with naphtha tends to a plateau. Note that if we use leads to an increase of both the radius of gyration and the
nonane instead of naphtha, the relation between the polar relative viscosity. Hhexanol, like heptane, is a non-solvent of
parameter δp of the solvent and the relative viscosity is almost the asphaltenes. Then, when all the possible sites able to
linear [4]. One can think that the maximum in efficiency is establish associations between the alcohol functions and the
reached when all the polar sites, even the weakest, are asphaltenes are saturated, hexanol acts as a flocculant,
associated with solvent molecules. An optimum of viscosity inducing an increase of the gyration radius and of the relative
reduction is reached in naphtha with methylethylketone, and viscosity.
using an even more polar solvent like butyronitrile does not
seem to improve significantly the efficiency of viscosity Influence of hydrogen bonding
reduction.
We have studied the influence of the hydrogen bonding
Role of polar components on asphaltenes properties parameter following the same approach as for polarity. The
selected products and their Hansen parameters are listed in
In order to better understand the influence of polar solvent, Table 3.
we dissolved asphaltenes precipitated with pentane in solvent
mixtures containing increasing amounts of hexanol, up to δd δp δh
toluene/hexanol (50/50 v/v). Optical microscopic observations Solvent
1/2 1/2
show that no flocculation occurs even at 50%. Viscosity (Mpa ) (Mpa ) (Mpa1/2)
measurements have been performed at low temperature (3°C) Octanoic acid 15.1 3.3 8.2
in order to emphasis the difference of viscosity between the
solutions and the solvent. Results are given in terms of relative Butyric acid 14.9 4.1 10.6
viscosity defined as η rel (c, T ) = η(c, T) η diluent (T ) . In parallel,
1-Octanol 17.0 3.3 11.9
small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements have been
performed to get an estimation of the radius of gyration of 1-Butanol 16.0 5.7 15.8
asphaltenes. Hexanol 15.0 8.5 13.7

80 1.3 Table 3: Hansen parameters of hydrogen bonding solvents.

75 1.25
Contrary to the polar solvents, it has not been possible to
use mixtures of hydrogen bonding solvents with naphtha and
Radius of gyration (Å)

70 1.2
Relative viscosity

nonane at the concentration of 50% volume. Indeed, due to

65 1.15 their ability of giving hydrogen bonding, these solvents are
viscous. The following tests have been conducted with the
60 1.1 Venezuelan oil diluted with 15% in weight of mixtures 10/90
(by volume) of solvents and naphtha or nonane.
55 1.05 Increasing the hydrogen bonding parameters reduces the
relative viscosity of the dilute crude in nonane as well as in
50 1 naphtha (Figure 5). However, there is no evident relationship
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
between the δh parameter and the efficiency improvement.
Volume fraction of hexanol (%)
This probably comes from the dispersion of the values of the
polarity parameter as well ranging from 3.3 to 8.5.The
Figure 4: Influence of solvent composition solvents may be classified in the same order in naphtha and in
(toluene/hexanol) on asphaltene radius of gyration and nonane.
solution relative viscosity.

Figure 4 shows that there is a minimum for the radius of

gyration and for the relative viscosity. This minimum is
observed for a hexanol content of 10% in toluene. This
confirms that hexanol has an effect on the organisation of the
asphaltenes in the dilute regime. The decrease of the relative
viscosity and of the radius of gyration can be explained by
some disruption of the asphaltene particles. One can think that
hexanol is able to establish hydrogen bonds and polar
interactions with the asphaltenes and replace that way some of
the asphaltenes/asphaltenes interactions. With 10% of
SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763 5

3500
oil by naphtha is about 27 vol% which represent 22.5 wt% of
dilution. As shown in Figure 7, the addition of 30 wt% of
3000 MEK as the diluent decreases the crude oil dilution rate of 2
points.
Relative Viscosity

2500

2000
25
1500 24 Correlation
23 Experimental
1000

Crude dilution (wt %)

22
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
δ h (MPa 1/2
) 21
20

Figure 5: Influence of diluent hydrogen bonding 19

parameter on the viscosity of the diluted heavy oil. 18

17
Expressed in absolute viscosity, results obtained with
16
solvents having high hydrogen bonding parameters are poor.
15
This is due their high own viscosity. To have a good 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
efficiency in terms of viscosity reduction the diluent should MEK in diluent (wt %)
have a strong polar parameter and a small hydrogen boonding
parameter. Among the tested products, methylethylketone
Figure 7: Influence of diluent composition on the crude
(MEK) is a good candidate.
dilution rate for a diluted crude viscosity of 400 cP.
Process advantages of a co-diluent naphtha / MEK As an example, we consider a pipeline capacity of
utilization 140 kBPSD which is a typical pipeline capacity for
Venezuela. In Table 4, the evolution of crude and diluent
Increase in the crude oil capacity flowrates is shown when the MEK fraction increases in the
diluent. The increase in crude production, for the same
As mentioned above methylethylketone is one of the most pipeline capacity, is about 5 vol% if 50 wt% of MEK in the
effective solvent among the tested products. Figure 6 shows diluent is introduced.
the influence of the diluent composition (mixtures of
naphtha/MEK with varying ratios) on the viscosity of the Diluted crude composition
MEK in diluent Pipeline Capacity
diluted heavy oil (dilution rate 20% (w/w)). We can see that Crude Diluent
(wt %) (kBPSD) (kBPSD) (kBPSD)
the dilution efficiency of the diluent increases with the weight 0 102.2 37.8 140
fraction of MEK. Replacing 20% of naphtha by MEK 5 102.8 37.2 140
decreases the viscosity by 30%. 10 103.3 36.7 140
20 104.4 35.6 140
0,7 30 105.5 34.5 140
Crude diluted at 20%
35 106.0 34.0 140
40 106.6 33.4 140
0,6 50 107.7 32.3 140

Table 4: Evolution of crude and diluent flowrates with the

Viscosity (Pa.s

0,5 MEK fraction in diluent considering iso pipeline capacity.

0,4
0,3
0,2
0 20
% MEK in the diluent
Figure 6: Influence of diluent composition (naphtha/MEK)
on the viscosity of the diluted heavy oil.
The other influence of methylethylketone as co-diluent is
the reduction on the crude oil dilution rate with the rise in
MEK. Indeed, in Venezuelan case, the dilution ratio of crude
As a result, the use of methylethylketone as a diluent with
naphtha presents two advantages:
- reduction of the diluted crude viscosity,
- increase of crude oil production.
Therefore, the process feasibility and economic viability of
MEK must be studied in the upgrading process.
40 60 80 100 Basic process and economic studies
In this part, we compare the economic influence of diluent
composition on the upgrading process. The aim of this process
is to convert heavy crude oil into synthetic crude oil (SCO)
with high quality properties.
The process scheme is represented in Figure 8. At the inlet
of the topping, crude oil is diluted by a naphtha cut or a co-
solvent naphtha / MEK as mentioned in the last part. At the
6 SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763

topping's outlet, three products are found: the first one is economic viability evaluation. Later on, the MEK losses will
naphtha (C180-) which can contain MEK, the second one is vary between 0 wt% to 10 wt%.
diesel (C180- - C380-) and the last one is atmospheric residue. To
maximise the conversion, this last one is divided in a vacuum For the basic economic study, hypothesis on products
distillation in two streams: vacuum gasoil and vacuum residue, prices are:
which is also upgraded in a coking unit. To obtain synthetic - heavy crude oil: 8 $/bbl,
crude oil properties, naphtha and diesel from topping and - methylethylketone : 900 $/t,
coker must be hydrotreated and the vacuum gasoil - SCO: 27 $/bbl (for a Brent price at 30 $/bbl),
hydrocracked in mild conditions. The final product, SCO, is - coke: 11 $/t.
the result of these different products blend.
To compare the different cases and the influence of MEK
EXTRACTION PIPELINE UPGRADING

M EK M ake-Up
losses, the net realization is defined by the difference between
Diluent Naphtha and
finished products prices (receipts) and raw materials costs
MEK
(expenses). We do not consider an additional cost for
RECOVERY
UNIT investment and operating cost.
HYDROTREATER

Diesel
Synthetic
Crude
Oil
Figure 9 shows the evolution of the net realization with the
T
O
P
P
MEK losses. As we can see it decreases when the MEK losses
Diluted Crude
I
N
G
Vacuum Gasoil MILD
HYDROCRAKER
increase.
D
I

V
S
T
490
A I 0% MEK in diluent
C L

Atmospheric Residue
U
U
L
A
480 10% MEK in diluent

Net realization (10 $/year)

M I 20% MEK in diluent
T
O 470 35% MEK in diluent
N
50% MEK in diluent
6

460
Vacuum Residue CONVERSION DES
COKER
FRACTIONS LOURDES

Crude Oil
450
Coke

440
Figure 8: Upgrading process flowsheet.
430

420
On the basis of this process, we make an approximate mass
410
balance in five different cases to determinate the quality and
0 2 4 6 8 10
quantity of SCO product. The first one is the basic case with MEK losses (wt %)
only naphtha used as diluent. In cases 2 to 5, the MEK fraction
in the diluent is increased from 10 wt% to 50 wt%. For these Figure 9: Evolution of the net realization with the MEK
cases the following hypotheses considered are: losses.
- the inlet topping flowrate is 140 kBPSD,
- diluent can be a mixture naphtha / MEK, The reference, calculated on the basic case is about
- the viscosity of the diluted crude is 400 cP, 447 $/year (dotted line). For all other cases, the net realization
- no revamping of separation, conversion and is better if the MEK losses are less than 5 wt%.
hydrotreatment units,
- SCO properties are similar (density: 29.5 °API, As a consequence, for a process application of MEK as co-
sulfur: 0.17 wt%). diluent, a process must be developed with a high MEK
recovery rate. In the last part, we will study a process solution
Case number 1 2 3 4 5 to recycle the maximum MEK flowrate.

MEK in diluent (wt %) 0 10 20 35 50 MEK recovery unit

Inlet Stream
Crude Flowrate (t/h) 670 686 694 702 718 Methylethylketone (MEK) has the advantage that it can be
Diluent Flowrate (t/h) 201 189 185 180 170 recycled as naphtha in the upgrading site. The aim of the MEK
MEK Flowrate (t/h) Function of MEK losses recovery unit is to recycle MEK in the diluent with minimum
losses and minimize the MEK content in naphtha (oxygen
Outlet Stream
SCO Flowrate (t/h) 454 467 472 478 488 components can be a process poison).
Coke Flowrate (t/h) 147 151 153 155 158
The process is divided in two parts, flash and distillation
Table 5: Approximate mass balance. units, as described in Figure 10.
As shown in Table 5, the flowrate of the MEK make-up is
not determinate yet. Indeed, MEK content in the diluent must
be constant. The MEK losses of the process must be make up
for an external flowrate. It is an important parameter for the
SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97763 7

MEK

Diluent allow recycling, the boiling point of the co-solvent must fall in
the boiling range of the hydrocarbon cut of the mixture.
F

Naphtha with MEK

L
A
Methylethylketone meets these constraints and seems to be a
S
H D
I
D
I
good candidate for an industrial use. A technico-economical
S
T
S
T
I
study is being performed to check the economy of the process.
I
L L
L L
A A
T
O
T
I
T
I
Acknowledgements
Diesel O O
P N N
Crude Oil P Naphtha to hydrotreater
I 2
N
G
1
The authors would like to thank L. Barré (IFP) for helpful
discussions and SAXS characterization. This work was partly
financially supported by the FSH (Fonds de Soutien aux
Hydrocarbures)
Atmospheric Residue

References
Figure 10: Flowsheet of the MEK recovery unit.
1. Urquhart, R.D., (1986), Heavy Oil Transportation:
After the topping, the mixture naphtha / MEK is flashed in Present and Future. J. Can. Pet. Technol., 25, 2, 68 –
flash drums. The aim of the flash is to recover the naphtha 71
flowrate used as diluent. It can be possible with an adjustment 2. Todd, C.M., (1988), Downstream Planning and
of operating conditions like temperature and pressure. With Innovation for Heavy Oil Development – A
this naphtha, an important amount ok MEK is recycled in the Producer's Perspective. J. Can. Pet. Technol., 27, 1,
diluent stream. 79 – 86
3. Guevara, E., Gonzalez, J., Nuñez, G., (1998), Highly
The second part of the recovery unit is composed of two Viscous Oil Transportation Methods in the
distillation columns. These units must reduce the MEK Venezuela Industry, Proc. 15th World Pet. Congress,
content in the naphtha. Since the MEK boiling point is about 495 – 502
80°C, in the first distillation, the heavy naphtha (C80+) is 4. Gateau, P., Hénaut, I, Barré, L., Argillier, J-F., Heavy
recovered at the bottom of the column and the light naphtha Oil Dilution, Oil & Gas Science and Techology –
cut with MEK at the top. The aim of the second distillation Rev. IFP., Vol 59 (2004), N°5 , 503-506
column is to recover the MEK at the bottom and light ends of 5. Hénaut I., Barré L., Argillier J-F., Brucy F.,
naphtha at the top. Bouchard R., (2001), Rheological and Structural
Properties of Heavy Crude Oils in Relation With
Based on the process simulation of flash and distillation, Their Asphaltenes Content, SPE 65020.
the recovery rate of MEK in naphtha is above 99 wt%. 6. Argillier J-F, Barré L., Brucy F., Dournaux J-L.,
Hénaut I., Bouchard R., (2001), Influence of
This basic study shows that MEK can present an economic Asphaltenes Content and Dilution on Heavy Oil
advantage if losses are below 5 wt%. From a technical point of Rheology, SPE 69711.
view, MEK can be easily recovered with flash and distillation 7. Lederer E.L., (1933), Proc. World Pet. Cong. (Lond.)
units. 2, 526-528
8. Shu W.R., (1984), A Viscosity Correlation for
However, other aspects of the global process (crude oil Mixtures of Heavy Oil, Bitumen, and Petroleum
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curently being performed to check the economy of the global parameters and other cohesion parameters, 2nd Ed.
process. CRC Press.

Conclusions

We have shown that mixing light hydrocarbons like

naphtha with solvents having polar functional groups in their
molecule enhances the efficiency of the dilution of heavy oils.
Hansen's theory can be used as a guide to screen candidate
solvents. At constant dilution rate, the higher the polarity of
the solvent, the greater the viscosity reduction of the diluted
crude oil provided that the absolute viscosity of the solvent is
close to the viscosity of the light hydrocarbon. This excludes
products owning high hydrogen bonding Hansen parameter.
Using such mixtures of solvents can help transporting heavy
crude oils by increasing the quantity of transported oil,
keeping constant the flow rate of the pipeline. In order to