WO2009047485A1

WO2009047485A1 - Methods and apparatus for the recovery and processing of hydrocarbon waste

Info

Publication number: WO2009047485A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/003379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Monbiot
Original assignee: Rexos Limited
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2008-10-08
Publication date: 2009-04-16
Also published as: GB0719610D0

Abstract

An apparatus for recovering hydrocarbon waste from a storage location, such as a storage lagoon or pit. The apparatus comprising a conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, said conduit being connected to a pump (2). The apparatus also comprising an induction heating assembly (3) located at the inlet end of the conduit. The induction heating assembly is heatable to reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon waste adjacent the inlet of the conduit so that it can be pumped through the conduit.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE RECOVERY AND PROCESSING OF HYDROCARBON WASTE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the recovery and processing of hydrocarbon waste, but in particular that weathered waste which is stored in large lagoons or pits.

Background of the Invention

Industry is reliant upon oil and its derivatives for all manner of products, uses etc. As a consequence there are a vast number of oil producing and processing plants around the world. These plants comprise a vast number of storage tanks for crude oil or petroleum products and sludge ponds. Over a long period of time large amounts of sludge accumulate which are comprised of residues arising from the various processes employed in the oil production and refining sector, and for which the producers of this waste have no further use. Sludge ponds, also known as land pits or storage lagoons, may be lined or unlined, surrounded by berms or may be simple depressions in the land and pose substantial environmental and health and safety hazards. Changes in regulation, the shift in political and public sentiment and the greater emphasis being placed on environmental issues are forcing the owners of the sludge ponds to address the issue and find an acceptable solution.

As a consequence, heavy sludge deposits in such tanks, pits and ponds must be removed. These deposits can be up to several metres thick at least in parts. There are various techniques employed for recovering such deposits from these contaminated vessels and sludge ponds. Mainly (but not exclusively) they focus on attempts to recover oil. These include, thermal desorbtion, using steam or solvents or other chemicals. Some techniques are more successful than others, but all are limited in their effectiveness and in turn create new waste streams that need to be dealt with. Other techniques involve injection of sludge down bore holes into the rock formation. However the first problem encountered by all practitioners of these various techniques of recovery is the method of extraction of the waste material from its repository. Mechanical grabbing is ineffectual because of the consistency of the material and the sheer size of each repository makes access difficult. Diluents, solvents, steam and other heating methods are expensive, slow and create many secondary problems, such as increasing the volume of material to be moved.

In view of the many disadvantages associated with these techniques a more automated method of waste recovery was proposed in International PCT Application No. PCT/GB03/02609. Such document proposes heating the hydrocarbon waste to reduce its viscosity and then pumping the waste out of the vessel or pond into a storage tank for transport to a processing plant. The proposed method of heating the sludge is to heat thermal oil that is circulated within a closed loop matrix of steel tube. The heating mechanism is an oil fired boiler which is not suitable for use in the environment of an Oil Refinery for safety reasons. Such processing sites, where the hydrocarbon waste can be processed into something more useful like bitumen, are not usually located in the same location as, for example, the sludge ponds. As a result it is necessary to transport these hard to handle materials, sometimes over long distances, to get them to a suitable processing plant.

The need for transportation, in addition to the initial cost of recovering the waste and the requirement to construct and operate a permanent processing plant, makes the whole process prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, the transportation of large quantities of waste over considerable distances presents a serious environmental risk and is a major logistical problem due to the quantity of transport tankers required to provide continuous and reliable service to either end of the distribution chain.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for recovering hydrocarbon waste from a storage location, such as a storage lagoon or pit, the apparatus comprising: a conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, said conduit being connected to a pump; an induction heating assembly located at the inlet end of the conduit; and wherein the induction heating assembly is heatable to reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon waste adjacent the inlet of the conduit so that it can be pumped through the conduit.

Preferably the induction heating assembly comprises an electric cable sandwiched between two plates of heat inducible metal having suitable magnetic properties.

Preferably the induction heating assembly further comprises at least one impeller that is operable to direct the flow of the heated hydrocarbon waste towards the inlet of the conduit.

Preferably the inlet end of the conduit may have a filter, to filter inorganic solids from the hydrocarbon waste as it is pumped into the conduit. Further preferably the filter removes any particles of 75 microns or more.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises at least one generator that provides the power for the apparatus components, such as the induction heating assembly and the pump.

Preferably the conduit is reinforced with a heat inducible metal wire to enable the hydrocarbon waste to be heated as it is pumped through the conduit. Further preferably the wire of the conduit can be induced by the same electrical cable that induces the induction heating assembly, although a separate cable arrangement may be used.

Preferably the inducible metal shall have suitable magnetic properties and may be aluminum or steel.

Preferably the electric cable comprises a copper core surrounded by an insulating jacket and encased in a protective sheath of woven polyester. Further preferably the insulating jacket is adapted to facilitate the flow of a coolant, such as water, through the cable. Preferably the apparatus further comprises a means for producing the coolant.

Preferably the apparatus is mounted on an extendable boom that extends the reach of the apparatus and thus the amount of the hydrocarbon waste that can be recovered. The assembly may also be mounted on a vehicle to enable easy repositioning of the apparatus relative to the storage location.

The outlet end of the conduit may be connected to a storage tank or it may supply a plant for processing the hydrocarbon waste. In the event that the hydrocarbon waste is pumped to a further processing stage, the conduit can be heated to ensure that the temperature of the waste is at a suitable temperature when it reaches the processing stage, e.g. around 250⁰C.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one solar panel to provide a supplementary power supply for the apparatus, thus helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The solar panel may power a heat exchanger mounted on the induction heating assembly, thereby supplementing the heat produced by induction of the metal plates.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of recovering hydrocarbon waste from storage locations, such as storage lagoons or pits, comprising: positioning at least one induction heating assembly in the hydrocarbon waste at a storage location and energizing the assembly to heat the hydrocarbon waste and thus reduce the viscosity thereof; and recovering the heated hydrocarbon waste from the storage location.

Preferably the induction heating assembly is positioned within the hydrocarbon waste at the storage location at a depth of between 30 to 50cm, and preferably about 40cm, below the surface of the waste. Such a depth is desirable to maximize the quality of the hydrocarbon waste being recovered and to ensure suitable flow rates of the heated material into the conduit.

Preferably the heated hydrocarbon waste is pumped out of the storage location via a conduit. Further preferably the conduit should be heated to ensure that the viscosity of the recovered hydrocarbon waste is not permitted to increase due to cooling. The heating of the conduit may be by way of heat induction.

Although the hydrocarbon waste may be pumped to a storage tank, the waste is preferably pumped to a further processing stage where the waste can be processed into a more useful product, such as bitumen.

Further preferably, in the event that the waste is to be processed further, the conduit could be heated to ensure that the temperature of the hydrocarbon waste reaching the processing stage is at a suitable temperature for such processing, e.g. around 250⁰C.

In another aspect of the present invention a method of processing hydrocarbon waste to produce bitumen is provided wherein the waste is heated to the required processing temperature by an induction heating assembly, which may be a separate unit from the induction heating assembly of the recovery device and preferably comprises an induction heater in a closed high temperature chamber.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of taking any volatile gases or vapors produced by the process and re-circulating them for combustion by the heat generated by the induction heater in a closed high temperature chamber.

In this way the heat generated by the induction heater closed high temperature chamber can be supplemented by the combustion of the waste gases or vapors. Further preferably the gases or vapors are re-circulating by such a route so as to impart a heating effect on the hydrocarbon waste as it is in transport. Such reclamation of the heat from the otherwise wasted gases or vapors make the method more efficient.

It is also considered advantageous that the emissions from the generator used to power the induction heating furnace could be re-circulated to permit further burn off by the heat generated by the induction heater high temperature chamber.

The actual processing of the hydrocarbon waste into bitumen may take place in an oxidation tower. Alternatively the processing of the hydrocarbon waste may take place within a static mixer.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing hydrocarbon waste into bitumen, wherein the apparatus comprises an induction heating assembly to heat the incoming hydrocarbon waste to the temperatures necessary for transferring it into bitumen.

A yet further aspect of the present invention provides a mobile recovery and processing plant for hydrocarbon waste which is located on one or more vehicles or trailers including: an induction heated recovery apparatus; an induction heated processing apparatus; storage means for the bitumen produced by the processing apparatus; and wherein the plant is connected by induction heated conduits.

Preferably the storage means are heated, (possibly to around 60⁰C) to maintain the reduced viscosity of the bitumen. Further preferably the storage means are heated by way of induction heat. Alternatively, or additionally, the storage means may be heated by the re-circulated gases produced during the processing of the hydrocarbon waste.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1a shows a top view of the hydrocarbon waste recovery apparatus;

Figure 1 b shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1a;

Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the extraction section of the apparatus of Figures 1a and b;

Figure 3 shows a first arrangement of the recovery and processing components of the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement of the recovery and processing components of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments

Figures 1a and 1b show the hydrocarbon waste recovery apparatus 1 of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a pump 2, which is connected to a conduit (not shown), that pumps the hydrocarbon waste from the oil/sludge pit. The pump 2 is a gear pump and is powered by electricity or air, as is most appropriate to the site of operation. It will be appreciated that alternative pumps may be used providing the necessary suction can be imparted on the hydrocarbon waste.

At normal environmental temperatures, however, the waste is too viscous to be simply pumped out of the pit. It is therefore necessary to heat the waste to reduce its viscosity and improve its pumpability. The induction heating assembly 3 and the induction heater 4 are provided to heat the hydrocarbon waste to a suitable temperature (e.g. around 60⁰C) so that the pump 2 can extract the waste via the conduit. By using induction heating rather than a naked flame (as in Application No PCT/GB03/02609) the risk of fire, explosions and scalding by escaping heated thermal oil is greatly reduced so that the method used is fully compliant with the onerous Health, Safety and Environmental requirements for safe operation within an oil refinery. Induction heating is also advantageous over the use of pressurized steam, which generates a large amount of contaminated water.

The induction heating assembly 3 is connected to the induction heater 4 by electrical cables (not shown). The induction heater 4 operates off a normal three phase electrical supply. The induction heating process works on the principle of generating heat through the creation of a magnetic field and will be described in more detail below. Switching on the power causes a rapid and controlled heating of the metal to a desired temperature (e.g. this could be up to 800⁰C within seconds should it be so desired) and thus the hydrocarbon waste. Monitoring of the temperatures generated by the induction heating is carried out by thermocouples. The temperature generated can either be controlled manually or automatically. It is appreciated that variations in the type of hydrocarbon waste may necessitate variation of the temperature generated by the induction heating.

The power unit (not shown), the induction heater 4 and the pump 2 will be located during operation on a platform built at the end of a telescopic boom 7. The boom 7, which may be extendable by up to about 50m in length, can be extended as required to reach further into the oil/sludge pit.

The induction heating assembly 3 is suspended from the main body of the apparatus 1 by way of a harness 8. In this way the induction heating assembly 3 can be lowered into the oil/sludge pit to a desired depth, usually between 30 and 50cm below the surface of the waste. Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the lower portion of the recovery apparatus 1 , and in particular the induction heating assembly 3 and the conduit 9.

The induction heating assembly 3 comprises a flexible cable 13 coiled tightly between a top metal plate 11 and a bottom metal plate 12. Plates 11 and 12 are the same size and each have an area of between 36 and 75m² . Preferably the plates are ovoid in shape. It will be appreciated that alternative sizes and shapes are also considered viable for the present invention. The plates 11 and 12 are made from a metal that is susceptible to heat induction by a magnetic field, such as aluminium or steel.

An electric current is passed through the flexible cable 13, which consists of a copper wire encased in a "rubber-type" jacket through which cooling water circulates from the cooler unit 5 (see Fig 1a). Due to the cooling water, the cable 13 remains cool enough to be held for an unlimited period with bare hands during the whole process. This is then covered by an outer protective sheath of woven polyester. The whole cable 13 has a diameter of about 1 Vz inches. Any metal that can support a magnetic field that comes into direct contact with the cable 13 (e.g. the aluminium plates 11 and 12) immediately starts to heat up.

The induction heating assembly 3 is connected to the induction heater 4 mounted on the upper part of the apparatus 1 via cable 14, which may be a continuation of cable 13.

The capacity of the induction heating assembly 3 to increase the temperature of the hydrocarbon waste surrounding the assembly 3 is further supplemented by a further heat exchanger 16, which is powered by solar panels 6. The heat exchanger 16 is connected to the solar panels via cable 17.

At least one paddle 15 will be attached to the outside surface of the top plate 11 on the shortest feasible drive shaft and will rotate slowly (between 2 and 5 revolutions per minute). The purpose of the device will be to push softened oily sludge towards the inlet of the conduit 9.

The suction head 10 of the conduit 9 may also be made of aluminium and will be welded to the top plate 11. The suction head 10 may comprise a filter to restrict the flow of larger particles, suspended in the hydrocarbon waste, into the conduit 9. Preferably the filter will prevent particles of above 75 microns passing into the conduit 9. The filter of the suction head 10 will preferably by self cleaning.

A further induction heating cable 18 will be wound around the suction head 10, the whole length of the conduit 9 and the full length of discharge conduit (not shown) to maintain fluidity in the pumped oil. Both conduits will be reinforced with steel or aluminium wire which will permit the magnetic (therefore heat generating) field to be created. Once again the temperature generated by the induction heating may be monitored and controlled by thermocouples.

The induction heating cable 18 not only enables the reduced viscosity of the waste to be maintained, but it also enable the temperature of the flowing waste to be increased either rapidly or gradually as desired as it moves along the conduits. This gives the added benefit of delivering the hydrocarbon waste to a subsequent processing system at an optimum processing temperature, without raising the temperature of the hydrocarbon waste in the oil/sludge pond to a hazardous level. Above certain temperatures the waste in the pit will begin to give off toxic and/or flammable vapors, which could put any human operators at risk.

Figure 3 shows a first arrangement of a combined hydrocarbon waste recovery and processing plant. In addition to the recovery apparatus disclosed above, the plant comprises primary and secondary storage tanks 20, 25, an oxidation tower 22, and an induction heating furnace 26. The recovered hydrocarbon waste, which has already been heated to a temperature of at least 60⁰C to improve its fluidity and thus facilitate easier transportation through the system, passes along a conduit from the recovery apparatus 1 and may be deposited in primary storage tanks 20 before it reaches the oxidation tower 22. However, it is appreciated that storage tanks are not necessarily required if the flow of hydrocarbon waste is consistent.

It is in the oxidation tower 22 that the hydrocarbon waste is processed into the more useful product bitumen by a process of aeration. The process of oxidizing bitumen is well known in the art. The process involves passing atmospheric air through the feed-stock in the presence of heat in the range 24O⁰C to 275⁰C. This may be carried out with or without additives, such as ferrous chloride, but the process is well documented. The heated feedstock is pumped into the column and then atmospheric air is diffused through the hydrocarbons from the bottom of the column. The oxidation column contains a standard mixing device as is well known in the industry.

The standard process, as employed generally in the industry, is energy intensive and can result in unacceptable emissions to atmosphere. The universal method for generating the required heat is to use oil or gas fired heaters which are expensive and give off emissions to atmosphere. The process of heating the feedstock in the reactor is unsuitable for operation in an explosive atmosphere as might exist in a refinery.

Such process also gives rise to gases and vapours which might be partially condensed but which leave significant levels of contaminants in the stack emissions, particularly of SO₂, N_0x, particulates and residual hydrocarbons.

As mentioned above, the temperature of the hydrocarbon waste is raised as the waste flows from the point of recovery to its introduction into the oxidation tower 22, at which point the waste is within the desired temperature range of 24O⁰C to 275⁰C that is required for bitumen production. Induction cables 33 are also wound around the steel pipes inside the tower 22 to maintain the required temperature during the process. The use of this form of heating means that, unlike with standard processes, there will be close to zero emissions arising from the heat generation process.

The skilled man will appreciate that the oxidation of hydrocarbon waste at high temperatures results in the production of bitumen and various volatile gases and vapours. Normally such emissions, which are toxic and polluting, are passed through condensing units before they are exhausted from the system so as to minimize the risks caused by their emission. The system of the present invention however addresses this environmental risk by re- circulating the volatile emissions back through an enclosed chamber 26. In this chamber 26 is located an aluminium (or steel, or some other suitable material with suitable magnetic properties) rod that is heated to at least 800⁰C by way of induction. The high temperature of the rod will ensure that when the gases are passed over the rod total combustion of all hydrocarbons in the gases will occur. The gases will then pass through a heat exchanger (not shown), the heat from which will provide supplementary heat to heat the fresh hydrocarbon feedstock being pumped into the oxidation column 22. The combusted gases will then be emitted to atmosphere. The resultant emissions will be at less than 10% of the permitted levels as specified by the United States EPA on all measures. As far as the hydrocarbons are concerned there will be no detectable levels emissions from the oxidation tower.

The heat exchanger, through which the superheated exhaust gases will pass, will heat the next batch of feedstock as it is pumped into the column 22 for oxidation. This will reduce the load on the induction heater power source 27 that will switch on and off as necessary to maintain temperatures.

The process will be largely self sustaining. Furthermore the entire process will have the capability to run off a single generator. Various pumps 21 , 24 and 28 are positioned around the system to ensure the flow of hydrocarbon materials is maintained.

The bitumen produced by the oxidation of the hydrocarbon waste is pumped to the secondary storage tanks 25, from which it can be extracted to tankers for transport.

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement of a combined hydrocarbon waste recovery and processing plant. The alternative plant shown in figure 4 provides an inline processing plant that does not require any storage tanks and can simply recover the waste, process the waste to bitumen, and load the bitumen onto waiting tanker transports.

The recovery apparatus shown in figure 4 is essentially the same as is used in figure 3. However, rather than pumping the hydrocarbon waste into storage tanks, the heated waste is pumped (by pump 29) directly into, and through, a static mixer 30 where the oxidation process is carried out as a continuous process.

The in-line static mixer essentially comprises a steel pipe of about 3 metres long and 1.5 metres in diameter, although the skilled man will appreciate that these dimensions can be varied without affecting the effectiveness of the invention. Inside the tube are a series of baffles which, by generating turbulence, generate a mixing action when the hydrocarbon waste is pumped through the tube. The temperature of the hydrocarbon waste, which has been raised to around 250⁰C during the course of its journey from the oil/sludge pit to the static mixer by means of a series of induction heaters(see above), ensures that the optimised reaction environment conditions exist within the static mixer 30. Furthermore the temperature within the static mixer 30 is controlled by a series of induction heaters 26a, which are powered by the induction heater power source 27a. . It is appreciated that the recovery apparatus may comprise more than one static mixer. Air will be pumped into the static mixer 30 through inlet valves at appropriate intervals by the air compressor 23a. The turbulent mixing action combined with the distribution of air will cause the heated hydrocarbon waste to oxidise into bitumen of the quality required.

As mentioned above, any emissions produced by the oxidation of the hydrocarbon waste can be burnt off by a superheated rod, thus reducing the environmental damage caused by the process.

After oxidation is finished the resulting bitumen is pumped (by pump 32) directly into lsotanks or tankers, which can be immediately transported off site.

Although not shown in the figures, it is considered advantageous that the various elements of the recovery and processing plant are mounted on vehicles. In this way the plant can be easily taken to an oil/sludge pit, rather that having to bring the hydrocarbon waste to a fixed plant.

All the power generation equipment, including compressor would be truck mounted. There is a requirement for four storage tanks (similar to petrol tankers) and an oxidation tower that would be similar in size to a road petrol tanker. The storage tanks would be kept heated with induction heater coils to keep the contents in permanently fluid state.

A mobile plant eliminates the need for many truck journeys because it eliminates the need for the transportation of waste to a remote processing plant and cuts out the need for any civil engineering and ground works to enable a permanent plant to be erected.

Therefore with five road tanker-sized vehicles, one small truck and a mobile boom (such as a crane with a telescopic boom) which would be self- propelled and a minibus for the operators, a fully functional and comprehensive processing plant could be taken to site set up and be made operational within 24 hours. In most cases a diesel generator will be required to provide the three phase electricity. It is considered that the environmental impact of any associated generating equipment could be reduced by re-circulating their emissions through the superheated chamber mentioned above.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recovering hydrocarbon waste from a storage location, such as a storage lagoon or pit, the apparatus comprising: a conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, said conduit being connected to a pump; an induction heating assembly located at the inlet end of the conduit; and wherein the induction heating assembly is heatable to reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon waste adjacent the inlet of the conduit so that it can be pumped through the conduit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the induction heating assembly comprises an electric cable sandwiched between two plates of heat inducible metal having suitable magnetic properties.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the induction heating assembly further comprises at least one impeller that is operable to direct the flow of the heated hydrocarbon waste towards the inlet of the conduit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the inlet end of the conduit has a filter, to filter inorganic solids from the hydrocarbon waste as it is pumped into the conduit.

5. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one generator that provides the power for the apparatus components, such as the induction heating assembly and the pump.

6. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit is reinforced with a heat inducible metal wire to enable the hydrocarbon waste to be heated as it is pumped through the conduit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wire of the conduit is inducible by the same electrical cable that induces the induction heating assembly.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the electric cable comprises a copper core surrounded by an insulating jacket and encased in a protective sheath of woven polyester.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the insulating jacket is adapted to facilitate the flow of a coolant, such as water, through the cable.

10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is mounted on an extendable boom that extends the reach of the apparatus and thus the amount of the hydrocarbon waste that can be recovered.

11. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet end of the conduit is connected to a plant for processing the hydrocarbon waste.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the conduit is heated to ensure that the temperature of the waste is at a suitable temperature when it reaches the processing stage.

13. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one solar panel to provide a supplementary power supply for the apparatus, thus helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

14. A method of recovering hydrocarbon waste from storage locations, such as storage lagoons or pits, comprising: positioning at least one induction heating assembly in the hydrocarbon waste at a storage location and energizing the assembly to heat the hydrocarbon waste and thus reduce the viscosity thereof; and recovering the heated hydrocarbon waste from the storage location.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the induction heating assembly is positioned within the hydrocarbon waste at the storage location at a depth of between 30 to 50cm, and preferably about 40cm, below the surface of the waste.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the heated hydrocarbon waste is pumped out of the storage location via a heated conduit.

17. The method of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the heating of the conduit is by way of heat induction.

18. The method of any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the waste is pumped to a further processing stage where the waste can be processed into a more useful product, such as bitumen.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the conduit is heated to ensure that the temperature of the hydrocarbon waste reaching the processing stage is at a suitable temperature for such processing.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the waste is heated to the required processing temperature by an induction heating assembly, which may be a separate unit from the induction heating assembly of the recovery device and preferably comprises an induction heater in a closed high temperature chamber.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of taking any volatile gases or vapors produced by the process and re-circulating them for combustion by the heat generated by the induction heater in a closed high temperature chamber.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21 , wherein the emissions from the generator used to power the induction heating furnace could be re-circulated to permit further burn off by the heat generated by the induction heater high temperature chamber.

23. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the processing of the hydrocarbon waste into bitumen takes place in an oxidation tower.

24. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the processing of the hydrocarbon waste takes place within a static mixer.

25. A mobile recovery and processing plant for hydrocarbon waste which is located on one or more vehicles or trailers including: an induction heated recovery apparatus; an induction heated processing apparatus; storage means for the bitumen produced by the processing apparatus; and wherein the plant is connected by induction heated conduits.

26. The mobile recovery and processing plant of claim 25, wherein the storage means are heated, to maintain the reduced viscosity of the bitumen.

27. The mobile recovery and processing plant of claim 26, wherein the storage means are heated by way of induction heat.

28. The mobile recovery and processing plant of claim 25 or 26, wherein the storage means may be heated by the re-circulated gases produced during the processing of the hydrocarbon waste.

29. The mobile recovery and processing plant of claim 25, comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13.