METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR LIFT GAS DISTRIBUTION

[0001 ] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Application serial no. 61/428,122, titled "LIFT GAS DISTRIBUTOR FOR IMPROVED PRODUCT DISTILLATE API," filed on December 29, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to rapid thermal processing of viscous oil feedstock. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an improved lift gas distributor assembly for distributing lift gas in the rapid thermal processing for upgrading viscous heavy feedstocks.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Heavy oil and bitumen resources are supplementing the decline in the production of conventional light and medium crude oils, and production from these resources is steadily increasing. Pipelines cannot handle the crude oils unless diluents are added to decrease their viscosity and specific gravity to pipeline specifications. Alternatively, desirable properties are achieved by primary upgrading. However, diluted crudes or upgraded synthetic crudes are significantly different from conventional crude oils. As a result, bitumen blends or synthetic crudes are not easily processed in conventional fluid catalytic cracking refineries. Therefore, in either case further processing must be done in refineries configured to handle either diluted or upgraded feedstocks.

[0004] Many heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks are also characterized as comprising significant amounts of BS&W (bottom sediment and water). Such feedstocks are not suitable for transportation by pipeline, or refining due to their corrosive properties and the presence of sand and water. Typically, feedstocks characterized as having less than 0.5 wt.% BS&W are transportable by pipeline, and those comprising greater amounts of BS&W require some degree of processing or treatment to reduce the BS&W content prior to transport. Such processing may include storage to let the water and particulates settle, and heat treatment to drive off water and other components. However, these manipulations add to operating cost. There is therefore a need within the art for an efficient method of upgrading feedstock having a significant BS&W content prior to transport or further processing of the feedstock.

[0005] The use of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), or other units for the direct processing of bitumen feedstocks is known in the art. However, many compounds present within the crude feedstocks interfere with these processes by depositing on the contact material itself. These feedstock contaminants include metals such as vanadium and nickel, coke precursors such as (Conradson) carbon residues, and asphaltenes. Unless removed by combustion in a regenerator, deposits of these materials can result in poisoning and the need for premature replacement of the contact material. This is especially true for contact material employed with FCC processes, as efficient cracking and proper temperature control of the process requires contact materials comprising little or no combustible deposit materials or metals that interfere with the catalytic process.

SUMMARY

[0006] A method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a lift gas distributor comprises a plate having a surface and an underside, the plate having a first diameter; a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section; and a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole. Lift gas passes through the tubes and holes into a reactor.

[0007] The systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. It is also intended that the invention is not limited to require the details of the example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the present specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiment and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain and teach the principles of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art reactor design.

[00010] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary reactor design for use with the present system, according to one embodiment.

[0001 1 ] Figure 3A illustrates an exemplary reactor configuration for use with the present system, according to one embodiment.

[00012] Figure 3B illustrates an exemplary distributor plate hole configuration for use with the present system, according to one embodiment.

[00013] Figure 4 illustrates a prior art distributor plate.

[00014] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary CFD visualization of lift gas flow velocities in a reactor having a distributor plate according to Figure 4, according to one embodiment.

[00015] Figure 6 illustrates particle movement in an exemplary reactor design having a distributor plate according to Figure 4, according to one embodiment.

[00016] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate for use with the present system.

[00017] Figure 8 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate for use with the present system. [00018] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary CFD visualization of lift gas flow velocities in a reactor having a distributor plate according to Figure 8, according to one embodiment.

[00019] Figure 10 illustrates particle movement in an exemplary reactor design having a distributor plate according to Figure 8, according to one embodiment.

[00020] Figure 11 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate for use with the present system.

[00021 ] Figure 12 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate for use with the present system.

[00022] It should be noted that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the various embodiments described herein. The figures do not necessarily describe every aspect of the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00023] A method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a lift gas distributor comprises a plate having a surface and an underside, the plate having a first diameter; a center section of the plate having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; a predetermined number of holes having a third diameter drilled into the surface of the plate, the holes drilled at an angle, the holes evenly distributed in the center section; and a plurality of tubes welded onto the underside of the plate, each tube having a predetermined length, wherein each tube is welded onto each hole. Lift gas passes through the tubes and holes into a reactor.

[00024] The present disclosure provides an apparatus or distributor assembly that is capable of propelling and distributing lift gas into a reactor without the deficiencies associated with the prior art methods and apparatuses, and a method for using the same. The purpose of the reactor is to convert a heavy oil feedstock into a lighter end product, via pyrolysis reaction (thermal cracking) inside a circulating bed, solid heat carrier transport reactor system. These processes also reduce the levels of contaminants within feedstocks, thereby mitigating contamination of catalytic contact materials such as those used in cracking or hydrocracking, with components present in the heavy oil or bitumen feedstock. Such processes and/or methods and the related apparatuses and products are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,365; U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,362; U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,743; U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,340; U.S. Patent No. 5,961 ,786; U.S. Patent No. 7,905,990; and pending U.S. Patent Applications serial nos. 12/046,363 and 09/958,261 incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [00025] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,340 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), for the present type of pyrolysis reactor system, a feed dispersion system is required for liquid feedstock. Transport gas (lift gas) is introduced to the reactor through a plenum chamber located below a gas distribution plate. The purpose of the feed dispersion system is to achieve a more efficient heat transfer condition for the liquid feedstock by reducing the droplet size of the liquid feed to increase the surface area to volume ratio. The purpose of the lift gas distribution plate (distributor plate) is to provide the optimum flow regime of gas that facilitates the mixing of feed and solid heat carrier.

[00026] By "feedstock" or "heavy hydrocarbon feedstock", it is generally meant a petroleum-derived oil of high density and viscosity often referred to (but not limited to) heavy crude, heavy oil, (oil sand) bitumen or a refinery resid (oil or asphalt).

However, the term "feedstock" may also include the bottom fractions of petroleum crude oils, such as atmospheric tower bottoms or vacuum tower bottoms.

Furthermore, the feedstock may comprise significant amounts of BS&W (Bottom Sediment and Water), for example, but not limited to, a BS&W content of greater than 0.5 wt %. Heavy oil and bitumen are preferred feedstocks. Embodiments of the invention can also be applied to the conversion of other feedstocks including, but not limited to, plastics, polymers, hydrocarbons, petroleum, coal, shale, refinery feedstocks, bitumens, light oils, tar mats, pulverized coal, biomass, biomass slurries, biomass liquids from any organic material and mix. Preferably, the biomass feedstock is a dry wood feedstock, which may be in the form of sawdust, but liquid and vapor-phase (gas-phase) biomass materials can be effectively processed in the rapid thermal conversion system using an alternative liquid or vapor-phase feed system. Biomass feedstock materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, hardwood, softwood, bark, agricultural and silvicultural residues, and other biomass carbonaceous feedstocks.

[00027] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art reactor design. The reactor design 100 includes a tubular reactor 101 where recirculation or lift gas 102 enters at a lowest point 102a. Regenerated solid heat carrier 103 enters at a slightly higher point 103a, and reactor feed liquid 104 is introduced at a highest point 104a. Coked/spent solid heat carrier, products, and other gases and particulates 105 emanated from the top of the reactor enter a cyclone separator 106, where the gases (product vapor and other gases) and solids (solid heat carrier and particulates) separate. The product vapor and other gases continue on downstream of the process for further separation of products 107. The stream of solids 108 enters a reheater system 109 (reheater system 109 not depicted in figure but inclusion in system will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art). The solid heat carrier gets regenerated, and then passes through a lateral section to transport the regenerated solid heat carrier 103 back to the reactor 101 .

[00028] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary reactor design for use with the present system, according to one embodiment. Similar to the prior art reactor 100 depicted in Figure 1 , reactor 200 design includes a tubular reactor 201 where recirculation or lift gas 202 enters at a lowest point 202a. Regenerated solid heat carrier 203 enters the reactor 200 at a slightly higher point 203a. Reactor feed liquid 204 is introduced at a highest point 204a in relation to the entry points of the lift gas (202a) and solid heat carriers (203a). Coked/spent solid heat carrier, products, and other gases and particulates 205 emanated from the top of the reactor enter a cyclone separator 206, where the gases (product vapor and other gases) and solids (solid heat carrier and particulates) separate. The product vapor and other gases continue on downstream of the process for further separation of products 207. The solids re-enter the reactor system 208, the solid heat carrier gets regenerated, and then a lateral section transports the regenerated solid heat carrier 203 back to the reactor. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the specific methods for solid heat carrier regeneration and transport back to the reactor may have variations between embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00029] Performance of the prior art reactor design 100 depicted in Figure 1 can be evaluated by properties that indicate the effectiveness of a particular equipment configuration. The properties illustrate the distribution of feed material into both desirable and less desirable products, as well as physical properties of the final product. The desirable resulting products include any hydrocarbon liquid that remains from the thermal cracking process, because the liquid can be recovered to be blended into the final product, or perhaps get reprocessed. Meanwhile, the coke and gas produced from the process are used to generate steam for oil recovery, or electricity, depending on location and are valued at natural gas price.

[00030] A setup using the prior art design 100 that processed Athabasca Bitumen feedstock included the reactor temperature set at 525°C (typical operating temperature), Athabasca Bitumen whole crude Vanadium content: 209 ppm, ;

Athabasca Bitumen Run product Vanadium content: 88 ppm, Athabasca Bitumen whole crude Nickel content: 86 ppm, and Athabasca Bitumen Run product Nickel content: 24 ppm. Table 1 summarizes the properties obtained. Liquid Viscosity Vanadium Nickel

Yield at 40°C Removal Removal

API (wt%) (cSt) (wt%) (wt%)

12.9 74.4 201 68.7 79.2

Table 1 : Properties of prior art reactor design Athabasca Bitumen run at 525°C [00031 ] The properties shown in Table 1 serve as a baseline for design comparisons throughout the present disclosure, with emphasis on the lift gas distributor plate.

[00032] Figure 3A illustrates an exemplary reactor configuration for use with the present system, according to one embodiment. The reactor 301 is a vertical tubular vessel having a top end 301 b and a bottom end 301 a. Recycled product gas (lift gas) 302 designed to enter the reactor at a lowest point 302a from the very bottom 301 a. Regenerated solid heat carrier 303 enters the reactor 301 at a slightly higher position 303a, and finally heavy oil feed 304 enters the reactor 301 at a point 304a above the solid heat carrier entrance 303a.

[00033] The lift gas first exits the piping into the windbox 305, a short cylindrical structure with a bottom bowl built directly underneath the tubular reactor 301 . According to one embodiment, the windbox cylinder 305 spans a diameter of 14 inches, and is connected via flanges 307 and 308 to the bottom 301 a of the tubular reactor 301 , which is 4 inches in diameter. A distributor plate 306 is located between the reactor bottom 301 a and the windbox 305, and is held together by the flanges 307 and 308. As the lift gas 302 exits the windbox 305, it passes through the distributor plate 306, and into the 4" diameter reactor 301 . Ultimately, the purpose of the distributor plate 306 is to modify the flow characteristics of the lift gas 302 entering the reactor 301 , through different configurations of holes in the distributor plate 301 . [00034] Figure 3B illustrates an exemplary distributor plate hole configuration for use with the present system, according to one embodiment. A distributor plate 340 has a diameter 370 of dP, with a center section 360 having a diameter 380 of d. The center section 360 includes a count of n holes 350, and each hole 350 has a hole diameter of D. The center section 360 is fabricated using a nominal bit size of B, and has a total hole area of A. The distributor plate 340 is designed in accordance with specifications of the reactor configuration, therefore the plate 340 is circular and has a diameter dP larger than a diameter of the windbox (yet small enough to fit within the flange bolts). The holes 350 in the center area 360 of the plate conform to a boundary set by the diameter of the reactor (e.g. a 4 inch diameter).

[00035] Figure 4 illustrates a prior art distributor plate. Distributor plate 400 is a circular stainless steel plate having a thickness of 1/4 inch and a diameter dP of 18 inches. Distributor plate 400 is fabricated based on a distributor plate template depicted in Figure 3B. A center section 460 of distributor 400 has a count of 185 holes (450) with a uniform diameter D of 1/17 inches. Each hole 450 is drilled perpendicular (90° angle) to the plate surface, and is laid out in a grid pattern that resembles a regular octagon. All 185 holes (450), having a total hole area A of 0.502 in ² , are concentrated within a unit circle having a diameter d of 2.58 inches, which is well within a 4 inch diameter boundary of the reactor, according to one embodiment.

[00036] With the high number of small holes in a grid style layout, the distributor design 400 creates a uniform, dispersed gas flow with moderate mass flow rate and velocity through each hole 450. The distributor design 400 does not direct the lift gas up the reactor; as the lift gas exits the many holes of the distributor there is no directional momentum, as the lift gas slows and distributes in every direction as it exits the distributor..

[00037] One method of evaluating the performance of a reactor distributor plate is to determine the superficial velocity of the lift gas stream leaving the distributor plate holes. The superficial velocity is dependent on the volumetric flow of lift gas into the reactor, the size of the distributor plate holes, as well as the total number of holes.

[00038] Based on specifications detailed in Figure 4, the cross-sectional area of one hole 450 in the distributor 400 is calculated as follows:

[00039] D = hole diameter = (1/17 in.) x (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.0049 ft

[00040] C _A = cross-sectional area of one hole = π χ (D/2) ²

[00041 ] = π (0.0049 ft) ² ÷ 4 = 0.0000189 ft ² .

[00042] Knowing the lift gas volumetric flow rate, the superficial velocity of lift gas exiting through one of the 185 holes 450 is calculated as follows:

[00043] F = 28 ft ³ /min

[00044] D = hole diameter = 0.0049 ft

[00045] n = number of holes = 185

[00046] V _s = superficial velocity of lift gas out of one hole = F ÷ (n χ D)

[00047] = (28 ft ³ /min) ÷ (185 χ 0.0000189 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 133 ft/s.

[00048] Therefore, an exemplary superficial velocity of lift gas discharged from one hole of the distributor 400 is 133 ft/s. The significance of the lift gas velocity through one hole is the lasting effect of the gas stream from the one hole. For a gas stream with a low initial velocity, the momentum of the gas stream would dissipate quicker than a gas stream with a higher initial velocity. The momentum loss equates to the decrease of usefulness of the lift gas to carry the fluidized solid heat carrier.

[00049] Another method for evaluating the performance of a reactor distributor plate is to evaluate its ability to provide proper lift gas distribution to the reactor that best facilitate the mixing of reactor feed and fluidized solid heat carrier. As shown in

Figure 3, the lift gas 302 is released into the reactor at a lowest point 302a, followed by the solid heat carrier 303 at a higher point 303a, and finally the reactor feed 304 at the highest point 304a. The role of the lift gas is to facilitate the movement of the fluidized solid heat carrier upwards toward the release point of reactor feed, as the hot solid heat carrier enters the reactor from the auger exit.

[00050] The lift gas influences the flow of fluidized solid heat carrier in two ways. First, the flow of lift gas from the bottom of the reactor creates a high pressure zone at the bottom of the reactor, in relation to the top of the reactor. By virtue of pressure difference, the flow of fluidized solid heat carrier up the reactor is favored. Second, the flow path of lift gas, dependant on the design of the distributor plate, crosses the entry point of solid heat carrier and physically directs the fluidized solid heat carrier within its flow path towards the reactor feed entry point. To visualize the flow path of the lift gas, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software is used.

[00051 ] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary CFD visualization of lift gas flow velocities in a reactor having a distributor plate according to Figure 4, according to one embodiment. Based on the legend, the lighter grays indicate a higher velocity zone for the lift gas in the reactor. As shown in Figure 5, a uniform velocity results between 4 and 10 m/s near the bottom of the reactor when a distributor plate 400 according to Figure 4 is used, and the flow path continues upward beyond the feed entry point between 2 and 4 m/s. Therefore, from the entry point of the solid heat carrier through the entry point of the reactor feed, there is a net upward flow of lift gas that brings the solid heat carrier upwards towards the reactor feed entry (feed mixing zone).

[00052] CFD software also enables visualization of the flow of solid heat carrier particles, based on the lift gas flow regimes created by the distributor plate 400. Figure 6 illustrates particle movement in an exemplary reactor design having a distributor plate according to Figure 4, according to one embodiment. The movement of particles is tracked in the first 10 seconds after the particles entered the reactor, based on standard reactor conditions and the flow of lift gas. Based on the legend, the lighter the gray, the longer the particle was captured in the diagram. A large portion of the particles tracked traveled straight up the reactor as soon as they entered the reactor. The rest of the particles continue to swirl around the lower portion of the reactor. With the distributor plate 400 according to Figure 4, a bulk of the solid heat carrier travels in a relatively straight path upwards, through the reactor feed entry, and towards the top of the reactor in a short residence time. Hardly any particles reach the bottom of the reactor, due to the uniform and wide coverage of the reactor bottom by the distributor 400 holes 450.

[00053] Based on the CFD visualization, the distributor plate 400 is able to create a lift gas flow regime that assists the flow of fluidized solid heat carrier into the reactor feed mixing zone. In practice, it is known that a multitude of small holes leads to small bubbles created by the lift gas in the solid heat carrier to coalesce making larger bubbles, causing voids rather than plug flow regimes for efficient feed contact.

[00054] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate 700 for use with the present system. Within an exemplary 4 inch diameter (d, 780) boundary, the distributor 700 contains 1 1 (n) holes 750 laid out in a five-pointed star pattern at a center section 760 of the plate 740. Each hole 750 is drilled perpendicular (90° angle) to the plate surface 760, with a uniform size of 1/4 inch diameter (D) for each hole 750. With the fewer number of large holes, the distributor plate 700 intends to create gas streams at the reactor bottom with both higher velocity and wider flow path.

[00055] Based on specifications detailed in Figure 7, the cross-sectional area of one hole 750 of the distributor plate 700 can calculated as follows: [00056] D = hole diameter = (1 /4 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.0208 ft

[00057] CA = cross-sectional area of one hole = π χ (D/2) ²

[00058] = π (0.0208 ft) ² ÷ 4 = 0.000340 ft ² .

[00059] Knowing the lift gas volumetric flow rate, the superficial velocity of lift gas exiting through one of the 1 1 holes 750 can be calculated as follows:

[00060] F = 28 ft ³ /min

[00061 ] D = hole diameter = 0.0208 ft

[00062] n = number of holes = 1 1

[00063] V _s = superficial velocity of lift gas out of one hole = F ÷ (n χ D)

[00064] = (28 ft ³ /min) ÷ (1 1 χ 0.000340 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 125 ft/s.

[00065] Therefore, an exemplary superficial velocity of lift gas discharged from one hole 750 of the distributor 700 is 125 ft/s.

[00066] Figure 8 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate 800 for use with the present system. Within an exemplary 4 inch diameter boundary (d, 880), the distributor 800 contains 1 1 (n) holes 850 laid out in a five-pointed star pattern at a center section 860 of the plate 840. Each hole 850 was drilled perpendicular (90° angle) to the plate surface 860, with a uniform size of 1 /4 inch diameter (D) for each hole 850. At an underside 890 (facing down into the windbox) of the distributor 800, stainless steel metal rods (tubes) 895 having a length L each of 4 inches are welded onto each of the 1 1 holes 850. The tubes 895 have a hollow passage for allowing the lift gas to travel through them. Thus, the distance that the lift gas must travel between the windbox exit and the reactor entrance is 4 inches (L) through the tubes 895, and 1 /4 inches through the thickness of the distributor plate 800.

[00067] With the fewer number (n=1 1 ) of large holes 850, the distributor plate 800 creates gas streams at the reactor bottom with both higher velocity and wider flow path. The tubes 895 at the bottom 890 of the distributor plate 800 straighten the gas stream entering the reactor, and help avoid the dispersion effect of a high velocity fluid passing through a small orifice. With these implementations, the distributor 800 creates lift gas streams that are faster, bigger, and less dispersed.

[00068] Based on specifications detailed in Figure 8, the cross-sectional area of one hole 850 of the distributor 800 can be calculated as follows:

[00069] D = hole diameter = (1/4 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.0208 ft

[00070] CA = cross-sectional area of one hole = π χ (D/2) ²

[00071 ] = π (0.0208 ft) ² ÷ 4 = 0.000340 ft ² .

[00072] Knowing the lift gas volumetric flow rate, the superficial velocity of lift gas exiting through one of the 1 1 holes 850 can be calculated as follows:

[00073] F = 28 ft ³ /min

[00074] D = hole diameter = 0.0208 ft

[00075] n = number of holes = 1 1

[00076] V _s = superficial velocity of lift gas out of one hole = F ÷ (n χ D)

[00077] = (28 ft ³ /min) ÷ (1 1 χ 0.000340 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 125 ft/s.

[00078] Therefore, an exemplary superficial velocity of lift gas discharged from one hole 850 of the distributor 800 is 125 ft/s.

[00079] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary CFD visualization of lift gas flow velocities in a reactor having a distributor plate according to Figure 8, according to one embodiment. Based on the legend, the lighter grays indicate a higher velocity zone for the lift gas in the reactor. As shown in Figure 9, the lift gas stream produced by a distributor plate 800 according to Figure 8 sustains a high velocity from the moment of discharge at the distributor plate to the feed mixing zone. At the same time, the upward-flowing lift gas stream is more concentrated. In theory, distributor 800 is able to impart more upward movement of fluidized solid heat carrier in the high velocity region, and induce a more turbulent and less linear flow regime outside the high velocity region.

[00080] Figure 10 illustrates particle movement in an exemplary reactor design having a distributor plate according to Figure 8, according to one embodiment. The movement of particles is tracked in the first 10 seconds after the particles entered the reactor, based on standard reactor conditions and the flow of lift gas. Based on the legend, the lighter the gray, the longer the particle was captured in the diagram. Aside from the straight, upward travel of solid heat carrier particles, the distributor 800 also produced a high degree of random particle movement within the reactor. While the distributor 800 produced a concentrated lift gas stream that is able to bring a portion of solid heat carrier upward toward the reactor feed mixing zone, the higher and more concentrated lift gas stream also created more turbulence in regions of lower velocity. This turbulence resulted in the random movement, which increased the coverage area of solid heat carrier throughout the reactor. The effect of the random movement may include an increase in residence time of solid heat carrier in the reactor for more thorough thermal cracking, as well as decreasing the likelihood of reactor feed coating the wall, because there is a greater coverage of solid heat carriers to contact the reactor feed. Therefore, the theoretical benefits of the distributor 800 include greater level of thermal cracking, as well as a lesser chance solid particle deposition.

[00081 ] Figure 11 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate 1 100 for use with the present system. Within an exemplary 4 inch diameter boundary (not shown), the distributor plate 1 100 contains 16 (n) holes 1 150 laid out in an evenly-distributed manner at a center section 1 160 of the plate (not shown). Each hole 1 150 is drilled perpendicular (90° angle) to the plate surface 1 160, with a uniform size of 5/32 inch diameter (D) for each hole 1 150. With the smaller number of moderately large holes 1 150, the distributor 1 100 creates gas streams at the reactor bottom with both higher velocity and wider flow path. On an underside of the distributor plate 1 100, each hole 1 150 has a rod (or tube) 1 170 welded on a hole opening. Each rod has a proximal end 1 180 welded to the plate surface 1 160, and a distal end 1 190. The diameter of the rod 1 170 gradually increases from the proximal end 1 180 to the distal end 1 190. As an example, the diameter of the rod 1 170 at the distal end 1 190 is 3/16 inches.

[00082] Based on specifications detailed in Figure 11 , the cross-sectional area of one hole 1 150 of the distributor 1 100 can be calculated as follows:

[00083] D = hole diameter = (5/32 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.0130 ft

[00084] C _A = cross-sectional area of one hole = π χ (D/2) ²

[00085] = π (0.0130 ft) ² ÷ 4 = 0.000133 ft ² .

[00086] Knowing the lift gas volumetric flow rate, the superficial velocity of lift gas exiting through one of the 16 holes 1 150 can be calculated as follows:

[00087] F = 28 ft ³ /min

[00088] D = hole diameter = 0.0130 ft

[00089] n = number of holes = 16

[00090] V _s = superficial velocity of lift gas out of one hole = F ÷ (n χ D)

[00091 ] = (28 ft ³ /min) ÷ (16 χ 0.000133 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 219 ft/s.

[00092] Therefore, an exemplary superficial velocity of lift gas discharged from one hole 1 150 of the distributor plate 1 100 is 219 ft/s.

[00093] Figure 12 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of an improved distributor plate 1200 for use with the present system. Within an exemplary 4 inch diameter boundary (not shown), the distributor 1200 contains 187 (n) holes 1250 laid out in an evenly-distributed manner at a center section 1260 of the plate 1240. There are 3 different sizes of holes drilled to the distributor 1200, with each set drilled at a different angle. The first set is the inner 3 rows of holes 1210, with 1/13" diameter holes drilled perpendicular (90° angle) to the plate surface 1240. The second set is the middle 3 rows of holes 1220, with 1/15" diameter holes drilled in a 66° angle to the plate surface 1220, facing away from the reactor center. The third set is the outer 2 rows of holes 1230, with 1/17" diameter holes drilled in a 45° angle to the plate surface 1240, facing away from the reactor center. With a high number of small holes, the distributor 1200 disperses the lift gas inside the reactor and directs some of the flow toward the wall .

[00094] Based on specifications detailed in Figure 12, the cross-sectional area of one hole 1250 of the distributor 1200 can be calculated as follows:

[00095] Di = 1 /13" hole diameter = (1 /13 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.00641 ft

[00096] D ₂ = 1 /15" hole diameter = (1 /15 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.00556 ft

[00097] D ₃ = 1 /17" hole diameter = (1 /17 in.) (1 ft/12 in.) = 0.00490 ft

[00098] C _A i = cross-sectional area of 1 /13" hole (90°) = π (Di/2) ²

[00099] = π x (0.00641 ft) ² ÷ 4 = 0.0000323 ft ²

[000100] C _A 2 = cross-sectional area of 1 /15" hole (66°)

[000101 ] = π x (D ₂ /2) χ [(D ₂ /sin(66°))/2] = π χ (D ₂ ² /sin(66°)/4)

[000102] = π x (0.00556 ft) ² ÷ sin(66°) ÷ 4 = 0.0000266 ft ²

[000103] C _A 3 = cross-sectional area of 1 /17" hole (45°)

[000104] = π x (Da/2) [(D ₃ /sin(45°))/2] = π χ (D ₃ ² /sin(45°)/4)

[000105] = π x (0.00490 ft) ² ÷ sin(45°) ÷ 4 = 0.0000267 ft ² .

[000106] Knowing the lift gas volumetric flow rate, the superficial velocity of lift gas exiting through one of the holes 1250 can be calculated as follows:

[000107] F = 28 ft ³ /min

[000108] C _A i = cross-sectional area of 1 /13" hole (90°) = 0.0000323 ft ²

[000109] C _A2 = cross-sectional area of 1 /15" hole (66°) = 0.0000266 ft ²

[0001 10] CAS = cross-sectional area of 1 /17" hole (45°) = 0.0000267 ft ²

[0001 1 1 ] ni = number of 1 /13" holes = 24

[0001 12] n ₂ = number of 1 Π 5" holes = 80

[0001 13] n ₃ = number of 11\ 7" holes = 83

[0001 14] CA = total cross-sectional area of Distributor V

[0001 15] = (ni x C _A i) + (n ₂ * C _A2 ) + (n ₃ * C _A3 )

[0001 16] = (24 x 0.0000323 ft ² ) + (80 ^χ 0.0000266 ft ² ) + (83 ^χ 0.0000267 ft ² )

[0001 17] = 0.00512 ft ²

[0001 18] Fi = F x ni x C _A i ÷ C _A

[0001 19] = (28 ft ³ /min) ^χ 24 ^χ (0.0000323 ft ² ) ÷ (0.00512 ft ² ) = 4.24 ft ³ /min

[000120] F ₂ = F x n ₂ x C _A 2 ÷ C _A

[000121 ] = (28 ft ³ /min) ^χ 80 ^χ (0.0000266 ft ² ) ÷ (0.00512 ft ² ) = 1 1 .6 ft ³ /min

[000122] F ₃ = F x n ₃ x CAS ÷ C _A

[000123] = (28 ft ³ /min) ^χ 83 ^χ (0.0000267 ft ² ) ÷ (0.00512 ft ² ) = 12.1 ft ³ /min

[000124] Vsi = superficial velocity of lift gas out of 1 /13" hole = Fi ÷ (ni ^χ C _A i)

[000125] = (4.24 ft ³ /min) ÷ (24 ^χ 0.0000323 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 91 .2 ft/s

[000126] V _S2 = superficial velocity of lift gas out of 1 /15" hole = F ₂ ÷ (n ₂ ^x C _A2 )

[000127] = (1 1 .6 ft ³ /min) ÷ (80 ^χ 0.0000266 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 90.9 ft/s

[000128] V _S3 = superficial velocity of lift gas out of 1 /17" hole = F ₃ ÷ (n ₃ ^x C _A s)

[000129] = (12.1 ft ³ /min) ÷ (83 ^χ 0.0000267 ft ² ) ÷ (60 s/min) = 91 .0 ft/s [000130] Therefore, an exemplary superficial velocity of lift gas discharged from a hole in distributor 1200 is 91 .2 ft/s for the 1 /13" hole (1210), 90.9 ft/s for the 1 /15" hole (1220), and 91 .0 ft/s for the 1 /17" hole (1230).

[000131 ] Different configurations of reactor feed nozzle and lift gas distributor plates were tested to determine impacts of the lift gas distributor plates described herein. Athabasca Bitumen is a very heavy oil produced from the oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Belridge is a heavy oil produced near Bakersfield, California. EHOS (Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample) is a sample from an exploratory well that was provided for technology demonstration. The EHOS sample was from initial field production and unique to that activity and was from one sampling campaign. The EHOS sample is only representative of the sample itself. UHOS (Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample) is a sample from a heavy oil processing site that was received without designation of source or origin. The UHOS was treated as a blind sample for technology demonstration. API Gravities were measured in accordance with ASTM D70. Viscosities were measured in accordance with ASTM D445. "C7A" represents C7 Asphaltenes in the tables that follow. C7 Asphaltenes were measured in accordance with ASTM D3279. Vanadium and Nickel Content were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) in accordance with ASTM D5185. Boiling Ranges were calculated based on a High Temperature Simulated Distillation (HTSD) in accordance with ASTM D6352.

Boiling ranges in the tables that follow for baseline feed and product were estimated from distillation cut points presented in U.S. Patent No. 7,572,365. In the tables that follow, "nr" represents a measurement that was not reported.

[000132] The exemplary feed nozzle referred to herein as Nozzle I is a prior art feed nozzle design including a feed nozzle inserted horizontally into a tubular reactor. The feed nozzle is positioned perpendicular (a right angle or 90 degrees) to a vertical flow direction of lift gas and solid heat carrier. The distributor plates that were paired with the same type of feed nozzle for Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) Runs are shown in Table 2. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration.

Table 2: BHOS Runs Nozzle-Distributor Combinations

[000133] With the goal of the reactor system to convert heavy oil feedstock into light end product, the degree of success for a particular configuration is determined by the measurable properties of the run as well as the product.

[000134] The main property of concern is the liquid weight yield, which is defined as the percentage of feedstock that remains in liquid phase. In a thermal cracking unit, there can be products in the liquid, gas, and solid (coke) phases. The higher the liquid weight yield, the better. The liquid yield is the most valuable result of thermal cracking.

[000135] After liquid yield, a product property of concern is the API gravity, which is related to the density of the product and gives an indication of the "lightness" of the product. The higher the API value, the lighter the product, and thus the more success the thermal cracking process has achieved.

[000136] The other product properties of interest are the viscosity, vanadium removal, and nickel removal. The viscosity measures the "thickness" of the product, and is a practical indication of the transportability of the product. In many cases, viscosity reduction is more important than API. Vanadium and nickel are two notable metals that form chemical complexes that are detrimental in refinery processes, and the lower amount contained in the product the better. [000137] Table 3 shows the properties of whole crude used in the different Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) runs. Table 4 shows the properties of product (synthetic crude oil or SCO) used in the Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) runs. Table 5 summarizes the properties from the baseline with properties from different Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) runs.

Distributor Distributor

Whole Crude Property Baseline 400 800

API Gravity 8.6 13.2 13.2

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 40000 1 155 1 155

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 31 .7 31 .7

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 2.83 2.83

Vanadiunn Content, ppm 209 64.0 64.0

Nickel Content, ppm 86.0 51 .5 51 .5

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.240 0.240

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 0.0396 0.180 0.180

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 3.60 7.87 7.87

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 5.09 14.7 14.7

650+ °F Content, wt% 91 .3 77.0 77.0

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 20.4 25.6 25.6

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 15.7 19.2 19.2

1000+ °F Content, wt% 55.2 32.2 32.2

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 20.6 12.8 12.8

1200+ °F Content, wt% 34.6 19.4 19.4

Table 3: BHOS Runs Whole Crude Properties

Distributor Distributor

Synthetic Crude Oil Property Baseline 400 800

API Gravity 12.9 15.5 16.9

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 201 62.8 63.6

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 9.1 1 6.45

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr nr nr

Vanadium Content, ppm 88.0 25.6 27.7

Nickel Content, ppm 24.0 22.1 26.1

Boiling Ranges ¹

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.177 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 1 .92 1 .64 2.85

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 7.33 10.9 9.74

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 8.25 23.2 21 .2

650+ °F Content, wt% 82.3 64.3 66.2

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 25.7 34.2 42.6

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 19.4 15.4 16.7

1000+ °F Content, wt% 37.2 14.7 6.91

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 21 .3 4.01 6.28

1200+ °F Content, wt% 15.9 10.7 0.630

Table 4: BHOS Runs Product 'roperties

Table 5: BHOS Run Comparison of Distributor Plates

[000138] As can be seen in Table 5, both runs using distributors 400 and 800 show at least one area of improvement over the prior art baseline. Therefore, distributors 400 and 800 are preferred distributor plates.

¹ Boiling ranges were estimated from distillation cut points presented in U.S. Patent No. 7,572,362 Distributor Distributor

Run Property Baseline 400 800

Liquid Volume Yield, vol% nr 80.3 84.9

Liquid Weight Yield, wt% 74.4 77.5 82.5

Table 6: BHOS Run Properties Comparison

Table 7: BHOS Product Properties Comparison

[000139] Based on properties produced by each distributor plate shown in Table 6, distributor 800 demonstrates greater success in liquid retention. [000140] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 7, distributor 800 demonstrates superior product properties in areas of API and asphaltenes content, as well as near the best in viscosity.

[000141 ] Combining the assessment of both run and product properties, distributor 800 is superior in producing high liquid yield and API. Production of high liquid yield and API are the two most important properties for the present thermal cracking process, due to their direct reflection of the value of the process as well as product. Therefore, distributor 800 is a preferred distributor plate for Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) runs.

[000142] Table 8 lists distributor plates that were paired with the same type of feed nozzle for Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) Runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration. Representative Run Feed Nozzle Distributor Plate

E045.B Nozzle 1 Distributor 700

E045.A Nozzle 1 Distributor 1 100

Table 8: EHOS Runs Nozzle-Distributor Combinations

[000143] With the goal of the reactor system to convert heavy oil feedstock into light end products, the degree of success for a particular configuration is determined by the measurable properties of the run as well as the product. Table 9 shows the properties of whole crude used in the baseline as well as the different Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) Runs. Table 10 shows the properties of product (synthetic crude oil) used in the baseline as well as the different Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) runs. Table 11 summarizes the properties from the baseline with properties from different Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) runs.

Distributor Distributor

Whole Crude Property 700 1100

API Gravity 7.7 7.7

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt nr nr

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt 657 657

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% 13.8 13.8

Vanadiunn Content, ppm 458 458

Nickel Content, ppm 151 151

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.00

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 1 .88 1 .88

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 9.22 9.22

650+ °F Content, wt% 88.9 88.9

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 17.6 17.6

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 13.6 13.6

1000+ °F Content, wt% 57.7 57.7

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 18.3 18.3

1200+ °F Content, wt% 39.4 39.4

Table 9: EHOS Runs Whole Crude Properties

Distributor Distributor

SCO Property 700 1100

API Gravity 14.8 15.7

Viscosity <¾ 40°C, cSt 33.5 36.4

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt 6.80 6.20

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% 5.23 4.08

Vanadium Content, ppm 79.2 1 14

Nickel Content, ppm 25.1 38.2

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 4.18 4.60

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 12.9 9.41

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 23.7 19.4

650+ °F Content, wt% 59.2 66.6

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 36.6 33.6

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 15.0 14.4

1000+ °F Content, wt% 7.62 18.6

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 4.1 1 5.58

1200+ °F Content, wt% 3.51 13.0

Table 10: EHOS Runs Product Properties

Table 11 : EHOS Runs Comparison of Distributor Plates

[000144] Table 12 compares the run properties of Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) run distributor plates. Table 13 compares the product properties of Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) run distributor plates.

Table 12: EHOS Run Properties Comparison C7 Asphaltenes Removal, wt% 76.2 79.4

Vanadium Removal, wt% 89.2 82.7

Nickel Removal, wt% 89.6 82.4

1000°F+ Material Removal, wt% 91 .7 77.6

Table 13: EHOS Product Properties Comparison

[000145] Based on run properties produced by each distributor plate shown in Table 12, distributor 1 100 demonstrates greater success in liquid retention. [000146] Based on product properties produced by each distributor plate shown in Table 13, distributor 1 100 produced a higher API and lower asphaltenes content. [000147] Combining the assessment of both run and product properties, distributor 1 100 is superior in producing higher liquid yield and API. Production of higher liquid yield and API are the two most important properties for the present thermal cracking process, due to their direct reflection of the value of the process as well as product. Therefore, distributor 1 100 is a preferred distributor plate for Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) runs.

[000148] Table 14 lists lift gas distributor plates that were paired with the same type of feed nozzle for Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) Runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration.

Table 14: UHOS Runs Nozzle-Distributor Combinations

[000149] With the goal of the reactor system to convert heavy oil feedstock into light end products, the degree of success for a particular configuration is determined by the measurable properties of the run as well as the product. Table 15 shows the properties of whole crude used in the different Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) Runs. Table 16 shows the properties of product used in the different Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) runs. Table 17 summarizes the properties from different Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) runs.

Table 15: UHOS Runs Whole Crude Properties

Distributor Distributor

SCO Property 1100 1200

API Gravity 13.7 19.2

Viscosity (5) 40°C, cSt 118 24.6

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt 20.7 4.59

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% 8.84 2.52

Vanadium Content, ppm 197 72.2

Nickel Content, ppm 33.0 10.2

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 4.52 6.41

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 9.64 12.6

500 - 600 °F Content, wt% 15.4 20.7

650+ °F Content, wt% 70.4 60.3

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 23.9 29.5

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 15.1 16.7

1000+ °F Content, wt% 31.4 14.1

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 1 1.6 5.16

1200+ °F Content, wt% 19.8 8.93

Table 16: UHOS Runs Product Properties

Table 18: UHOS Run Properties Comparison

Distributor Distributor

SCO Property 1100 1200

API Gravity 13.7 19.2

Viscosity Reduction, % 97.9 99.5

C7 Asphaltenes Removal, wt% 61 .5 90.3

Vanadium Removal, wt% 66.7 89.3

Nickel Removal, wt% 70.1 91 .8

1000°F+ Material Removal, wt% 59.9 82.6

Table 19: UHOS Product Properties Comparison

[000150] Based on run properties produced by each distributor plate shown in Table 18, distributor 1 100 demonstrates the highest liquid retention. Distributor 1 100 is a preferred distributor plate.

[000151 ] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 19, distributor 1200 demonstrates superior product properties across the board, in areas of API, viscosity, asphaltenes content, removal of heavy material, as well as metal removal.

[000152] Combining the assessment of both run and product properties, distributor 1 100 is superior in producing high liquid yield, while distributor 1200 is superior in producing high API, viscosity, and removal of heavy material and metals, and low viscosity and asphaltenes content. Therefore, for Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) Runs, distributor 1 100 is a preferred distributor plate in producing high liquid yield, while distributor 1200 is a preferred distributor plate in producing the highest quality product.

[000153] Different configurations of reactor feed nozzle and lift gas distributor plates were tested. A complete discussion of each feed nozzle referred to herein can be found in U.S. patent application serial no. XX/XXX,XXX which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Table 20 summarizes a numbered selection of the feed nozzle and distributor plate combinations used in Athabasca Bitumen Runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration.

[000154] Table 21 shows the properties of whole crude used in the baseline as well as the different Athabasca Bitumen run configurations. Table 22 shows the properties of product (SCO or synthetic crude oil) used in the different Athabasca Bitumen run configurations. Table 23 summarizes the properties from different Athabasca Bitumen run configurations.

Whole Crude Property Baseline 1 2 3 4 5

API Gravity 8.6 8.1 8.9 8.2 7.7 7.7

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 40000 nr nr 18199 17854 17854

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 161 179 201 21 1 21 1

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 10.7 15.7 1 1 .9 1 1 .9 1 1 .9

Vanadium Content, ppm 209 21 1 214 223 224 224

Nickel Content, ppm 86.0 80.6 83.4 82.3 82.3 82.3

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 0.0396 0.181 0.00 0.0249 0.237 0.237

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 3.60 4.88 4.97 5.91 3.51 3.51

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 5.09 12.6 1 1 .6 13.6 9.43 9.43

650+ °F Content, wt% 91 .3 82.3 83.4 80.5 86.8 86.8

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 20.4 24.2 21 .3 24.9 17.9 17.9

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 15.7 17.4 14.8 17.1 12.9 12.9

1000+ °F Content, wt% 55.2 40.7 47.4 38.5 56.0 56.0

Table 21 : Athabasca Bitumen Runs Whole Crude Properties

SCO Property Baseline 1 2 3 4 5

API Gravity 12.9 13.3 18.1 17.5 12.6 12

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 201 nr nr 34.7 1 19 150

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr nr 4.86 4.86 11 .0 1 1.2

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 6.16 6.19 1 .37 5.73 5.57

Vanadium Content, ppm 88.0 97.9 20.1 16.5 52.6 48.6

Nickel Content, ppm 24.0 34.5 10.9 5.78 22.6 19.0

Boilinq Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.177 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 1 .92 2.84 1 .16 2.07 1.33 1 .82

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 7.33 14.1 6.92 9.09 7.18 6.75

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 8.25 23.6 21 .1 25.9 19.7 18.4

650+ °F Content, wt% 82.3 59.5 70.8 62.9 71 .8 73.0

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 25.7 33.1 50.7 41.0 35.7 37.3

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 19.4 13.4 13.3 16.7 20.3 21.7

1000+ °F Content, wt% 37.2 13.0 6.82 5.24 15.8 14.0

Table 22: Athabasca Bitumen Runs Product Properties

Table 23: Athabasca Bitumen Run Comparison

[000155] As shown in Table 23, all 5 configurations show at least one area of improvement over the baseline. Therefore, configurations 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 5 are all preferred configurations.

Run Property Baseline 1 2 3 4 5

Liquid Volume Yield,

vol% nr 76.6 104 83.9 89.1 84.0

Liquid Weight Yield,

wt% 74.4 73.3 95.5 78.6 85.7 80.9

Table 24: Whole Crude Basis Run Properties Comparison

Table 25: Product Properties Comparison

[000156] Based on run properties of each configuration shown in Table 24, configuration 2 demonstrates greater success in liquid retention. The yield figures suggest that configurations 2, 3, 4, and 5 all have superior liquid yield. Configuration 2 is clearly superior to the other configurations due to higher liquid yield. [000157] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 25, configurations 2 and 3 demonstrate better product properties across the board, compared to all 5 configurations. In terms of API, viscosity reduction, removal of heavy fraction, asphaltenes removal, and metals removal, configurations 2 and 3 show the most significant improvement in most or all areas.

[000158] Combining the assessment of both liquid yield and product properties, only configuration 2 demonstrates superior performance in both areas. Therefore, configuration 2 (Nozzle 1300 + Distributor 800 combination) is the most preferred configuration, for Athabasca Bitumen Runs.

[000159] Table 26 summarizes numbered feed nozzle and distributor plate combinations used in Belridge Heavy Oil Sample (BHOS) Runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration. Configuration Representative Run Feed Nozzle Distributor Plate

6 B031 .B Nozzle 700 Distributor 400

7 B01 1 .A Nozzle 700 Distributor 800

8 B031 .A Nozzle 1300 Distributor 400

Table 26: BHOS Runs Nozz e-Disthbutor Com binations

[000160] Table 27 shows the properties of whole crude used in the baseline as well as the different BHOS run configurations. Table 28 shows the properties of product (SCO or synthetic crude oil) used in the different BHOS run configurations. Table 29 summarizes the properties from different BHOS Run configurations.

Whole Crude Property Baseline 6 7 8

API Gravity 8.6 13.2 13.2 13.2

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 40000 1 155 1 155 1 155

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 31 .7 31 .7 31 .7

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 2.83 2.83 2.83

Vanadium Content, ppm 209 64.0 64.0 64.0

Nickel Content, ppm 86.0 51 .5 51 .5 51 .5

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.00 0.24 0.24 0.24

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 0.04 0.18 0.18 0.18

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 3.60 7.87 7.87 7.87

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 5.09 14.7 14.7 14.7

650+ °F Content, wt% 91 .3 77.0 77.0 77.0

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 20.4 25.6 25.6 25.6

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 15.7 19.2 19.2 19.2

1000+ °F Content, wt% 55.2 32.2 32.2 32.2

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 20.6 12.8 12.8 12.8

1200+ °F Content, wt% 34.6 19.4 19.4 19.4

Table 27: BHOS Runs Whole Crud e Proper ties

SCO Property Baseline 6 7 8

API Gravity 12.9 15.5 16.9 14.5

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 201 62.8 63.6 143

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 9.1 1 6.45 12.7

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 4.10 1 .27 3.94

Vanadium Content, ppm 88.0 25.6 27.7 45.3

Nickel Content, ppm 24.0 22.1 26.1 40.4

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.177 0.00 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 1 .92 1 .64 2.85 0.00

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 7.33 10.9 9.74 9.66

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 8.25 23.2 21 .2 21 .2

650+ °F Content, wt% 82.3 64.3 66.2 69.1

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 25.7 34.2 42.6 35.7

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 19.4 15.4 16.7 17.6

1000+ °F Content, wt% 37.2 14.7 6.91 15.8

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 21 .3 4.01 6.28 7.43

1200+ °F Content, wt% 15.9 10.7 0.630 8.41

Table 28: BHOS Runs Product Properties

Table 29: BHOS Run Comparison

[000161] Table 30 compares the run properties of the BHOS run configurations.

Table 31 compares the product properties of the BHOS run configurations.

Table 30: BHOS Whole Crude Basis Run Properties Comparison Synthetic Crude Oil Property Baseline 6 7 8

API Gravity 12.9 15.5 16.9 14.5

Viscosity Reduction, % 99.5 94.6 94.5 87.6

C7 Asphaltenes Removal, wt% nr nr 63.0 nr

Vanadium Removal, wt% 68.7 69.0 64.3 42.6

Nickel Removal, wt% 79.2 66.7 58.2 36.4

1000°F+ Material Removal, wt% 49.9 64.6 82.3 60.2

Table 31 : BHOS Product Properties Comparison

[000162] Based on run properties of each configuration shown in Table 30, configuration 7 demonstrates the greatest success in liquid retention. The yield figures suggest that configuration 7 have better liquid yield than configurations 6 and 8. Therefore, based on run properties, configuration 8 is the more preferred configuration, followed by configuration 7.

[000163] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 31 , configuration 7 demonstrates superior product properties in areas of API and asphaltenes removal. Configuration 6, in the other hand, is superior in viscosity reduction, metal removal, and removal of heavy fraction. [000164] Combining the assessment of both run and product properties, only configuration 7 demonstrates good performance in both areas. Therefore, configuration 7 (Nozzle 700 + Distributor 800 combination) is the most preferred configuration, for BHOS Runs.

[000165] Table 32 lists and numbers the feed nozzle and distributor plate combinations used in Exploratory Heavy Oil Sample (EHOS) Runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration. Configuration Representative Run Feed Nozzle Distributor Plate

9 E045.B Nozzle 700 Distributor 700

10 E044.A Nozzle 700 Distributor 1 100

1 1 E043.B Nozzle 2000 Distributor 1 100

Table 32: EHOS Runs Nozzle-Distributor Combinations

[000166] Table 33 shows the properties of whole crude used in the baseline as well as the different EHOS run configurations. Table 34 shows the properties of product (SCO or synthetic crude oil) used in the different EHOS run configurations. Table 35 summarizes the properties from different EHOS run configurations.

Tab e 33: EHOS Runs Whole Crude Properties

Synthetic Crude Oil Property Baseline 9 10 11

API Gravity 12.9 14.8 16.4 16.1

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 201 33.5 39.6 36.0

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 6.80 5.25 6.45

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 5.23 4.12 4.19

Vanadium Content, ppm 88.0 79.2 1 19 121

Nickel Content, ppm 24.0 25.1 38.1 37.7

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.177 0.00 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 1 .92 4.18 3.06 3.83

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 7.33 12.9 12.8 1 1 .5

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 8.25 23.7 19.5 16.9

650+ °F Content, wt% 82.3 59.2 64.6 67.8

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 25.7 36.6 35.0 31 .2

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 19.4 15.0 13.5 15.5

1000+ °F Content, wt% 37.2 7.62 16.1 21 .1

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 21 .3 4.1 1 6.12 7.98

1200+ °F Content, wt% 15.9 3.51 10.0 13.1

Table 34: EHOS Runs Product Properties

Table 35: EHOS Run Comparison

[000167] Table 36 compares the run properties of the EHOS run configurations.

Table 37 compares the product properties of the EHOS run configurations.

Table 36: EHOS Whole Crude Basis Run Properties Comparison Synthetic Crude Oil Property Baseline 9 10 11

API Gravity 12.9 14.8 16.4 16.1

Viscosity Reduction, % 99.5 nr nr nr

C7 Asphaltenes Removal, wt% nr 76.2 74.0 75.9

Vanadium Removal, wt% 68.7 89.2 76.3 80.0

Nickel Removal, wt% 79.2 89.6 75.7 79.9

1000 + Material Removal, wt% 49.9 91 .7 75.1 72.8

Table 37: EHOS Product Properties Comparison

[000168] Based on run properties of each configuration shown in Table 36,

configuration 10 demonstrates the greatest success in liquid retention. The yield figures suggest that configuration 10 has much better liquid yield than configurations 9 and 1 1. Therefore, configuration 10 is the more preferred configuration.

[000169] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 37, configurations 9 and 10 both demonstrate superior product properties across the board. While configuration 9 has the best viscosity reduction, heavy material removal, and metal removal, configuration 10 has the best API and asphaltenes removal. For the areas where configuration 10 is not the best, it is still comparably close to the other 2 configurations.

[000170] Combining the assessment of both run and product properties, only configuration 10 demonstrates good performance in both areas. Therefore,

configuration 10 (Nozzle 700 + Distributor 1 100 combination) is the most preferred configuration, for EHOS runs.

[000171] Table 38 lists and numbers the feed nozzle and distributor plate

combinations used in Unidentified Heavy Oil Sample (UHOS) runs. A representative run was assigned for each configuration, based on the nominal API gravity and liquid weight yield of a particular configuration. Configuration # Representative Run Feed Nozzle Distributor Plate

13 U038.A Nozzle 700 Distributor 1 100

14 U037.B Nozzle 700 Distributor 1200

15 U037.A Nozzle 2000 Distributor 400

Table 38: UHOS Nozzle-Distributor Combinations

[000172] Table 39 shows the properties of whole crude used in the baseline as well as the different UHOS run configurations. Table 40 shows the properties of product (SCO or synthetic crude oil) used the different UHOS run configurations. Table 41 summarizes the properties from different UHOS run configurations.

SCO Property Baseline 13 14 15

API Gravity 12.9 13.7 19.2 16.7

Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 201 1 18 24.6 68.4

Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt nr 20.7 4.59 7.27

C7 Asphaltenes, wt% nr 8.84 2.52 6.87

Vanadium Content, ppm 88.0 197 72.2 170

Nickel Content, ppm 24.0 33.0 10.2 29.6

Boiling Ranges

<200 °F Content, wt% 0.177 0.00 0.00 0.00

200 - 350 °F Content, wt% 1 .92 4.52 6.41 5.16

350 - 500 °F Content, wt% 7.33 9.64 12.6 10.4

500 - 650 °F Content, wt% 8.25 15.4 20.7 17.4

650+ °F Content, wt% 82.3 70.4 60.3 67.0

650 - 850 °F Content, wt% 25.7 23.9 29.5 25.1

850 - 1000 °F Content, wt% 19.4 15.1 16.7 15.7

1000+ °F Content, wt% 37.2 31 .4 14.1 26.2

1000 - 1200 °F Content, wt% 21 .3 1 1 .6 5.16 9.70

1200+ °F Content, wt% 15.9 19.8 8.93 16.5

Table 40: UHOS Runs Product Properties

Table 41 : UHOS Run Comparison

[000173] Table 42 compares the whole crude basis run properties of UHOS run configurations. Table 43 compares the product properties of the UHOS run configurations.

SCO Property Baseline 13 14 15

API Gravity 12.9 13.7 19.2 16.7

Viscosity Reduction, % 99.5 97.9 99.5 98.6

C7 Asphaltenes Removal, wt% nr 61 .5 90.3 67.4

Vanadium Removal, wt% 68.7 66.7 89.3 69.0

Nickel Removal, wt% 79.2 70.1 91 .8 70.9

1000°F+ Material Removal, wt% 49.9 59.9 82.6 60.4

Table 43: UHOS Run Product Properties Comparison

[000174] Based on run properties of each configuration shown in Table 42, configuration 15 demonstrates greater success in liquid retention. Therefore, configuration 15 is more preferred.

[000175] Based on product properties of each configuration shown in Table 43, configuration 14 demonstrates superior product properties across the board, followed by configuration 15.

[000176] Combining the assessment of liquid yield and product properties, configuration 15 is vastly preferred due to the higher liquid volume yield. Therefore, configuration 15 (Nozzle 2000 + Distributor 400 combination) is the most preferred configuration, for UHOS runs. It is likely that the deficiencies of Distributor 400, shown less effective in every other comparison, were less influential that the advantages provided by Nozzle 2000. That is, the performance of the combination of advantageous distributor and Nozzle 2000 would be expected to exceed configuration 15 on this particular crude.

[000177] In the description above, for purposes of explanation only, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the teachings of the present disclosure. [000178] Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. It is also expressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter. It is also expressly noted that the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help to understand how the present teachings are practiced, but not intended to limit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples.

[000179] A method, system, and apparatus for lift gas distribution have been disclosed. It is understood that the embodiments described herein are for the purpose of elucidation and should not be considered limiting the subject matter of the disclosure. Various modifications, uses, substitutions, combinations, improvements, methods of productions without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention would be evident to a person skilled in the art.