CPC E21B 43/2408 (2013.01) [C10G 1/002 (2013.01); C10G 33/06 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A process for producing diluent for use in a hydrocarbon recovery process, the process comprising:
heating a dilbit feed stream, the dilbit feed stream comprising hydrocarbons produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir and an added diluent added to the hydrocarbons to reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbons for transport, wherein the dilbit feed stream is heated to a temperature of 350° C. or less with heat derived from process heat exchange;
fractionating the dilbit feed stream after the heating to produce a light fraction and a heavy fraction, the light fraction comprising the diluent, additional light hydrocarbons derived from the hydrocarbons, and sour water;
separating the sour water from a remainder of the light fraction; and
stabilizing the remainder of the light fraction to provide recovered diluent and cooling the recovered diluent, wherein a volume of the recovered diluent is greater than a volume of the added diluent.
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