Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for improving the transportability of a hydrocarbon stream by reducing its viscosity. The apparatus comprises a reactor vessel useful for providing an incremental amount of heat to a hydrocarbon stream by the introduction of an oxidizing agent into the core portion of the stream. The reactor comprises an influent conduit and an effluent conduit in heat exchange relation with each other, at least one oxidant injection nozzle located in either or both the influent and/or effluent conduits, a conduit to transport oxidant to the nozzles and a valve in the oxidant conduit to control oxidant flow to the nozzles. The reactor can also contain temperature monitors in the influent and/or effluent conduits and an oxidant flow controller device responsive to output from the temperature monitors and adapted to adjust oxidant flow to maintain temperatures in the reactor reaction zone within a preselected range.

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First Claim