Abstract: A process is described for treating waste plastics material to provide at least one on-specification fuel product. Plastics material is melted and then pyrolyzed in an oxygen-free atmosphere to provide pyrolysis gases. The pyrolysis gases are brought into contact with plates in a contactor vessel so that some long chain gas components condense and return to be further pyrolyzed to achieve thermal degradation. Short chain gas components exit the contactor in gaseous form and proceed to distillation to provide one or more on-specification fuel products. A pipe directly links the pyrolysis chamber to the contactor, suitable for conveying upwardly-moving pyrolysis gases and downwardly-flowing long-chain liquid for thermal degradation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating evaporatable components from a heated fluid (2) are described. The heated fluid (2) is subdivided into two partial fluid streams (2t) of equal size, and the partial fluid streams (2t) are introduced in such a way at an angle of incidence (?) different from zero preferably relative to the horizontal reference plane that the partial fluid streams (2t) collide in such a way as to form a fluid bubble (2b).

Abstract: A device for regenerating oil wherein an oil containing contaminates is placed in contact with at least one point source of heat which is a predetermined temperature and wherein the contaminants contained in the oil are partially evaporated and can be removed leaving an oil which is substantially free of contaminants and even though exposed to elevated temperatures the oil is not damaged or degraded.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to remove asphaltenic contaminants from bitumen, heavy oil or residue to produce lower viscosity petroleum products and high purity asphaltenes.

Abstract: A device and method for reconditioning oil or vaporizing volatile fluids from oil of internal combustion engines in order to extend the oil service life is provided. Such a device can include a housing which defines a substantially enclosed open chamber which can receive heated engine oil. An engine oil inlet, a vapor outlet, and a reconditioned oil outlet may be coupled to the housing. In addition, the disclosed oil reconditioning device may be free of direct heating or supplemental heating sources other than the intrinsic heat of the heated engine oil as it enters the open chamber. The reconditioning devices can be configured to introduce engine oil into the open chamber prior to contact with any interior surfaces. Separation of volatile fluids can be affected using either spraying or thin film. The reconditioned oil has a significant reduction in water and fuel content thus allowing for increased service intervals and increased useful oil life.

Abstract: An oil-purifying device incorporating a housing that includes an evaporation chamber. In one implementation, there are an oil intake port and an oil exit port, both in fluid communication with the evaporation chamber. There are also at least two ventilation ports in gaseous communication with the evaporation chamber. The oil-purifying device may include an oil diffusing assembly to receive oil from the oil intake port and distribute it. In one implementation, the oil diffusing assembly includes perforated oil journals. The oil-purifying device may include a heating device to heat the oil to increase the rate of evaporation of contaminants. The oil-purifying device may also include a high-surface-area structure to increase a surface area of the oil for improved evaporation of contaminants. In one implementation, the high-surface-area structure includes a metallic or synthetic material with a rough filamentous surface upon which to deposit oil.

Abstract: A method of and system for purifying fluid of an internal combustion engine or hydraulic system utilizes an evaporation chamber separate from a filtering chamber. A metering valve may be oriented between the filtering chamber and the evaporation chamber to control the flow of fluid to the evaporation chamber.

Abstract: An efficient fluid cleaning system. The efficient system includes a first mechanism for changing the pressure of a fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure. A second mechanism distributes the fluid within an evaporation chamber at the second pressure. The evaporation chamber includes an evaporation surface having capillary channels for dispersing oil about the evaporation surface via capillary action to facilitate evaporation of contaminants from within the fluid. In a specific embodiment, the capillary channels are spiral capillary channels, and the system further includes a vent through a ceiling of the evaporation chamber. The vent includes a valve biased in an open position and lacking a cracking pressure. The valve prevents the escape of the fluid from the system but allows gases to escape from the system unencumbered. The evaporation surface has perforations through which fluid passes onto the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A liquid distributor includes a principal container with a perforated bottom, as well as transport members to transmit, by gravity, the liquid from at least one opening in the perforated bottom, to a supply point not in vertical alignment with this opening.

Abstract: An installation for cleaning oil-polluted water, in particular at oil and gas production plants, is provided with a distillation column having a polluted water feed and at least one contact packing above which the outlet of the polluted water feed is located, a vapor discharge, a clean water outlet and a measuring device for the analysis of the water from the clean water outlet.

Abstract: A new and improved two-stage oil bypass filter device is provided to enable effective and efficient removal of both solid particulate and volatile oil contaminants while also allowing the addition and mixing of certain oil additives as required by specific internal combustion engine or industrial applications.

Abstract: Gasses, water and solvents, major contaminants in used lubricating oils, can be removed from used lubricating oils at mild temperature conditions under vacuum. Apparatus in which the removal can take place includes a hollow vacuum separator vessel with a spray nozzle to spray an ultra fine spray of warm, used lubricating oil onto an angularly disposed thin film separator plate. In conjunction with the plate is a cooling device within the vacuum chamber. Cleaned oil can be passed from the bottom back into a holding tank, while water and solvents are drained out into a separate tank for safe disposal.

Abstract: An improved oil reclamation device for removing contaminates from lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids. A first feature of this oil reclamation device an improved utilization of space, which provides the benefit of a compact installation. Another benefit of this design is an efficient design of the second chamber, which virtually eliminates cold spots and vapor condensation. Another benefit of this design is the efficient use of operating oil to heat the evaporation surface evenly and effectively without the need of any additional heat source. This design eliminates cold spots on the evaporation surface and the need for potentially dangerous heating elements. A further benefit of this design is an oil metering system which is highly resistant to clogging and easily serviced.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device includes an evaporator head and base both of heat conductive material and defining an evaporator chamber between them. An upwardly vertically extending heating element is disposed within the evaporator base for heating oil containing contaminants within the evaporator chamber by conduction and convection to evaporate light contaminants/liquids (e.g. water, fuel or antifreeze) in the oil. A vent extends from the evaporator chamber through the head, and an oil discharge conduit provides gravity discharge from the evaporator chamber and is formed in the base. An oil inlet conduit feeds oil from the head toward the evaporator chamber, preferably through a plurality of substantially evenly spaced passages formed in the head and flaring outwardly from the oil inlet conduit to the evaporator chamber to provide flow of oil in small, distinct, spaced streams to impact a portion of a generally annular frustoconical wall element extending upwardly form the base toward the head.

Abstract: A single vessel with no moving parts is constructed to perform the functions of coalescing, vacuum dehydration, and thin film evaporation.

Abstract: A device that reclaims industrial fluids. Solid contaminants are removed from the liquid being reclaimed by a series of increasingly fine filter elements positioned within a filter housing. The substantially solid contaminant-free fluid then enters an evaporation chamber having a design that constrains the fluid to form a thin film atop an evaporation plate at the bottom of the chamber to facilitate evaporation of volatile contaminants. Insert members are positioned within the evaporation chamber to increase the surface area of the thin film to further enhance the removal of the volatile contaminants. The temperature and pressure of the evaporation chamber is controlled by a heating element that is under the control of a temperature sensor. Evaporated volatile contaminants escape the evaporation chamber through a port formed in the head that closes the device. Latches are used to secure the head in the absence of conventional nuts and bolts, and the head screw threadedly engages the evaporation plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a liquid hydrocarbon charge containing solids or solids-forming contaminants, e.g., inorganic solids, metals and asphaltenes, which includes a contactor vessel having a liquid charge inlet, a vaporizing media inlet above the charge inlet and a vapor-solids outlet. An atomizer is positioned in the charge inlet for forming small particles of the liquid charge and directing the particles of liquid in a substantially horizontal flat pattern into the contactor vessel. A premix downcomer having a dispersion grid positioned therein is located in the vaporizing media inlet for introducing a fluidized mixture of a gas dispersion media and hot circulating solid particles into the contactor vessel in a substantially vertical flat pattern to traverse the path of the liquid particles and intimately contact the liquid particles.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device comprising an evaporator plate secured to an evaporator head to form an evaporation chamber which is heated by a heating element mounted in the evaporator head. A spin on filter assembly with an integral oil dispenser tube is removably mounted to the evaporator plate. The evaporator plate is provided with an oil inlet to receive oil to be reclaimed and an oil outlet to discharge reconditioned oil which has passed through the filter assembly and heated evaporation chamber. Features of this invention include an improved removable filter assembly, an improved heat transmitting element located in the evaporator head, and an improved evaporator plate.

Abstract: A method for removing the volatile constituents from gasoline and volatile organic chemicals from contaminated potable water when a fluid including gasoline-water mixture and when contaminated potable water is introduced into a vertical tower includes the steps of flowing the gasoline-water fluid and the water downward in a tower over and in contact with media trays stacked in courses in the tower. The media trays, either circular or square, fit closely within the tower inner wall, such trays are aluminum or molded plastic frames one inch by one inch angles one-eighth inch thick, with a plurality of one and one-half inch wide slats one-quarter of an inch thick on the top of the frame; the slats being spaced apart not less than one-half inch nor more than three-quarters of an inch.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for catalytic conversion of oils. A furnace heats a feedstock which is provided to a separator for separation of the feedstock into a gas vapor phase and a liquid phase. The liquid phase is provided under pressure to a venturi nozzle which atomizes the liquid oil. The atomized oil and the gas are each provided to a reactor such as the lower end of a riser reactor in a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A by-pass oil refining device for an internal combustion engine is equipped with an atomizing nozzle that constricts oil flow from a solid contaminant filtering element to a vaporization chamber where liquid contaminants are vaporized. The atomizing nozzle has a constricting orifice which is of a diameter sufficiently large to allow recirculation of oil to the vehicle engine, but which is small enough so that oil emanating from the filtering element and entering the vaporization chamber is atomized into a mist. Atomization of the oil significantly increases the extent to which liquid contaminants are vaporized and removed.

Abstract: A bypass oil refining device for an internal combustion engine is separated into lower and upper portions having a disposable cartridge containing a porous filtering material and a vaporization chamber, respectively. The improvements include a casing which has a stationary upper portion with an oil inlet, an oil outlet and a vapor vent. The lower portion is removable and is releasably secured to the upper portion. The lower casing portion contains a disposable filter cartridge. A vaporization plate completely separates the filter cartridge from the vaporization chamber so that oil filtered by the filter cartridge can reach the vaporization chamber only by means of a narrow central conduit which leads to an atomization screen through which oil is atomized and laterally dispersed into the vaporization chamber. A vent includes a check valve to prevent air from flowing into the vaporization chamber and to prevent oil from leaving through the vent should the oil level rise into the vent.

Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming lubricating oil which includes a housing having an evaporation plate dividing the housing into an evaporation chamber and a filter chamber, passages through the evaporation plate so filtered oil can flow into the evaporation chamber, a heater for heating the evaporation plate to cause volatile contaminants to leave the oil and an ultraviolet radiation source which directs sufficient radiation upon the oil to sterilize it.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine particle size bituminous material in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, fine particle size bituminous material and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a steam stripper through an inlet horn that imparts a centrifugal motion to the stream. The inlet horn contains a plurality of corrugated vanes which utilize the centrifugal motion to create turbulence in the stream within the inlet horn.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device comprises a housing, filter, evaporator plate and heating assembly. The housing has a longitudinal axis and includes an oil inlet to receive oil to be reclaimed and an oil outlet to discharge reconditioned oil. Features of this invention include an improved filter assembly, an inside sealing mechanism for flow control, a wall guide mechanism to maintain proper flow control, an improved heat transmitting element, an oil inlet metering assembly and an improved evaporator plate.

Abstract: A small portion of oil being circulated by the engine's pump is constantly diverted to a specially-constructed filter where solid contaminant particles are intercepted. The oil still under pressure is then directed to a dehydration chamber wherein its pressure is reduced and it is directed through a heat-exchange pipe and drops onto a horizontal spreader plate pierced by a multiplicity of small apertures distributed over its relatively large area. Spreading of the oil in a thin layer over the plate effects vaporization of liquid contaminants therein. The vapors are drawn off from the top of the chamber by vacuum and dispensed to ambient air or recirculated to the carburetor. Purified oil flows by gravity from the chamber to the crankcase.

Abstract: A closed reactor for the thermal cracking of heavy oils, having an internally mounted, rotatable injection pipe. The injection pipe is adapted to spurt preheated raw material under pressure against the inner wall surfaces of the reactor while rotating to remove coke which has deposited on the reactor walls during the previous cracking operation.

Abstract: Tars and hydrocarbon oils containing water are dehydrated in a thermally efficient and environmentally acceptable manner. The tars or hydrocarbon oils are heated externally to any holding vessel to a temperature equivalent to at least 100.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure and are sprayed into a holding vessel to enhance the separation of water from the tars or hydrocarbon oils. Then the water in the vapor state is removed from the holding vessel and scrubbed to remove any noxious chemicals.

Abstract: A decoking device suitable for use on a reaction vessel for the thermal cracking of heavy petroleum oils, including an assembly mounted on top of the reaction vessel and having a cylinder and a piston slidably and rotatably received in the cylinder, the cylinder and piston defining a scrubbing liquid chamber which is sealed from the outside. A scrubbing liquid is fed through the scrubbing liquid chamber to a main injection pipe to inject the liquid through a multitude of jet nozzles in the main injection pipe against the inner wall surfaces of the reaction vessel, the main injection pipe being connected to the piston for movement therewith.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device comprises a housing, filter, evaporator plate and heating assembly. The evaporator plate includes upwardly projecting evaporation walls defining a plurality of curved vaporizing surfaces laterally displaced radially with respect to each other to form a fluid traveling surface therebetween. The heating assembly includes downwardly projecting heating walls defining a plurality of curved heating surfaces located between the curved vaporizing surfaces. The evaporation walls and the heating walls define a plurality of curved paths along the fluid traveling surface from the longitudinal axis of the housing outwardly along the evaporator plate. The evaporator plate includes passageways extending from the mechanical filtration zone to deliver substantially all of the oil being treated at a centermost portion of the evaporator plate.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the disposal of waste cutting liquid consisting essentially of an emulsion of partly soluble oils and water comprises subjecting a trickling flow of the liquid to the action of a current of hot air at a temperature of from 80.degree. to 250.degree. C. and thus evaporating the water from the liquid. Insoluble oils may be removed from the liquid by decantation before the liquid is subjected to the current of hot air. Preferably the oil which remains after the water has been evaporated from the liquid is used as fuel in the heating of the hot air so that the oil is disposed of. Apparatus for carrying out this method comprises an evaporation tower containing a series of plates alternately inclined in opposite directions to the horizontal and arranged one beneath the other to permit a trickling zig-zag flow of the cutting liquid over the plates from the top plate to the bottom plate in the series.

Abstract: A simplified, essentially maintenance-free yet highly efficient distillation tower and method for waste oil rerefining is provided which allows direct vacuum distillation of additive-supplemented waste oils without chemical pretreatment thereof and yields a highly refined intermediate oil suitable for immediate use or final polishing, along with a valuable bottoms fraction usable in greases or asphalts, for example. The tower includes an upright, cylindrical chamber with a tangential waste oil inlet and cooperating internal baffle for creating a whirling oil flow pattern therewithin, along with means for maintaining the proper temperature conditions within the tower for maximizing vaporization and recovery of hydrocarbons from the waste oil while also preventing undesirable decomposition or cracking of the oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing impurities from lubricating oil comprising a container having a filter positioned in the lower end thereof with an evaporator plate positioned above the filter. The lubricating oil enters the container through an inlet opening formed in the lower end thereof with the oil being passed upwardly through the filter. The oil is dispersed or redistributed at the lower end of the evaporator plate so that the oil is moved to the center thereof and moved upwardly through a central opening. The evaporator plate has a plurality of annular concentric tiers provided on its upper end so that the oil passing through the upper end of the central opening in the evaporator plate flows downwardly and outwardly over the concentric tiers. A ring-shaped heating element is positioned in the container and extends around the upper end of the evaporator plate at the periphery thereof for heating the oil passing downwardly over the concentric tiers.

Abstract: A device for use with an internal combustion engine for reconditioning oil by removal of solid and liquid contaminants including a housing having an oil inlet at one end and an oil outlet at an opposite end and containing a filter for removal of solid matter, a preheating chamber, a vaporization chamber for removal of liquid contaminants, and a convex conical vaporization plate separating and defining the roof of the preheating chamber and the floor of the vaporization chamber. The vaporization plate has a plurality of concentric tiers. The upper innermost tier of the vaporization plate has a plurality of capillaries each of which opens to the top planar surface of the tier through an expansion cup defined within an upwardly protruding lip. An electrical resistance heater is supported above the vaporization chamber for heating the vaporization chamber, the vaporization plate, and the preheating chamber. A vent for vaporized contaminants extends through the upper end of the housing.