Heavy fossil hydrocarbon conversion and upgrading using radio-frequency or microwave energy

Conversion of heavy fossil hydrocarbons (HFH) to a variety of value-added chemicals and/or fuels can be enhanced using microwave (MW) and/or radio-frequency (RF) energy. Variations of reactants, process parameters, and reactor design can significantly influence the relative distribution of chemicals and fuels generated as the product. In one example, a system for flash microwave conversion of HFHincludes a source concentrating microwave or RF energy in a reaction zone having a pressure greater than 0.9 atm, a continuous feed having HFH and a process gas passing through the reaction zone, a HFH-to-liquids catalyst contacting the HFH in at least the reaction zone, and dielectric discharges within the reaction zone. The HFH and the catalyst have a residence time in the reaction zone of lessthan 30 seconds. In some instances, a plasma can form in or near the reaction zone. 可以使用微波(MW)和/或射频(RF)能量增强重化石烃(HFH)向多种增值的化学品和/或燃料的转化。反应物、过程参数、和反应器设计的变化可显著影响作为产物产生的化学品和燃料的相对分布。在个实例中，用于HFH的瞬时微波转化的系统包括：将微波或RF能量聚集到具有大于0.9atm压力的反应