US Patent 10113122 Process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbon liquids

The present disclosure provides a process that employs glycerol and a catalyst for partial transformation of heavy petroleum oils to lighter hydrocarbon liquids under mild conditions without the need of external hydrogen gas. The process uses industrially produced glycerol to upgrade heavy crudes; hydrogenates aromatics to paraffin and/or olefins without the use of external hydrogen gas; operates at mild operating conditions; and employs inexpensive catalysts. This process is completely different from the hydroconversion process where high pressurized hydrogen gas is essential. The present process requires no pressurized hydrogen gas and can significantly reduce both operating and capital costs of the traditional hydrotreating process.