Our company is a strategic partner in developing and implementing equipment and automation designed for cavitation treatment of heavy oil (Tecnologfa paratratamiento Cavitacional de Hidrocarburos (TCH- technology). This technology modifies the characteristics of crude oil, reducing its viscosity and density to upgrade it from an extra-heavy or heavy class to a medium class, making it easier to use and transport.
The technology delivers economic benefits by:
- reducing the density and viscosity;
- increasing the total amount of marketable oil;
- lowering transportation costs for heavy oil;
- boosting the yield of light oil products.
Scope of application of TCH- technology
The application of TCH-technology for the modification of heavy oil (API gravity of less than 20°) enables the production of commercial-grade oil in an environmentally sustainable manner. This process results in a product with reduced density, lower viscosity, a decreased pour point, and an increased content of lighter fractions. Consequently, this treatment allows the crude oil to be classified as “medium” oil, achieving an API density of 20° or higher.
The TCH-technology distinguishes itself from conventional methods by utilizing a different energy source and supply mechanism to facilitate physical and chemical processes at mild, low-temperature conditions. This approach targets the cleavage of the weakest chemical bonds in oil components and promotes the interaction of the resulting radicals with a hydrogen donor component. In traditional thermal cracking, hydrogen disproportionates within the raw material, leading to the formation of gases, lower molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons, and coke as a byproduct. This generation of gases and coke ultimately diminishes the yield of marketable products. In contrast, our technology allows for oil extraction with a higher yield of light products and reduced viscosity, all while eliminating unwanted gas formation and coke accumulation. TCH-technology employs hydrodynamic processing of raw materials, enhanced by active cavitation under specific technological conditions. We perform cavitation treatment with hydrogen-containing modifiers, tailoring their composition and dosage to match the chemical and physical characteristics of the particular petroleum feedstock.
Technology Benefits
- Reducing the density and viscosity of extra-heavy/heavy crude oil without using diluents such as naphtha.
- The cost of raw materials transportation is lower compared to the process of dilution with naphtha.
- Production increased in oil volume from 6% to 10% (due to a decrease in oil density).
- Increase in the yield of light fractions.
- The modular architecture of complexes designed for the deployment of TCH-technology offers several advantages, including:
– optimal integration with the existing infrastructure systems at the sites;
– enhanced maintenance efficiency;
– an automated process control system developed using industrial logic controllers.
TCH-technology has been successfully implemented at several oil-producing enterprises in Colombia (South America). We are ready to provide more detailed information about the advantages of this technology and will be glad to cooperate with you in a mutually beneficial way. For more information, please get in touch with us.