Abstract: A process for resolving even tightly emulsified oil, water and solid emulsions by the application of a sheer force sufficient to break the emulsion. In one particular application, a tank bottom sludge produced in the petroleum industry is treated with the shear force of a bal or roller mill into the emulsion is broken. Simultaneous reduction in the particle size of the solids occurs. This process produces a commercial grade oil, water and an aqueous slurry of solids devoid of oily compounds. The oil-free solid phase produced thereby is suited for use in a coker quench stream.

Abstract: The recovery of aluminum chloride from deactivated alkylation catalyst complexes by hydrogenation using hydrogen gas and an aluminum catalyst is disclosed. Using aluminum to catalyze the hydrogenation allows the reaction to proceed at a lower temperature and pressure while reducing the amount of hydrogen chloride present in the reactor thus reducing the corrosiveness and cost of the aluminum chloride recovery. Methods for batch, batchwise continuous, and continuous aluminum chloride recovery are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously removing oil from oil-bearing solids such as tar sands, vegetables or other solid materials using a solvent is provided. By providing a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of an oil extraction chamber, substantially oil free solids may be removed from the oil extraction chamber through a solids extraction channel without removing any substantial volume of solvent through the solids extraction channel.

Abstract: A surfactant which is capable being used to enhance accessing, storing and transporting carbonaceous materials such as crude oil or coal. The surfactant includes a dielectric surfactant having a predetermined range of pH. The dielectric surfactant may include a pH-modifying agent. In one embodiment, the dielectric surfactant may be combined with crude oil to reduce the viscosity of the crude oil. In another embodiment, the dielectric surfactant is capable of extracting sulfur containing compounds from crude oil. In a further embodiment, a gaseous emulsion may be combined with a gas phase material to produce a complex.

Abstract: A process for significantly decreasing processing time, reducing capital costs, increasing yield, improving quality, and improving the safety of refining petroleum residues and sludges generated by the oil producers, refineries and re-refiners comprising the steps of heating under vacuum the petroleum residues and sludges with steam or inert gas injection or both until a temperature ranging from between 680.degree. F. to 1000.degree. F. is attained and holding the mixture at this temperature for a short residence time of from less than an hour to abut 6 hours while vacuum and sparging are being carried out to generate asphalt. Volatile products are condensed to produce fuel, waxy oil and can be further processed to produce refined fuel, wax and dewaxed oil.

Abstract: Chemical transformation of complex chemical structures in a supercritical medium.The transformation of one or more chemical structures (20) involves at least one reduction reaction in a solvent (22) in the supercritical state.Application to the destruction of dangerous products, the treatment of industrial effluents and natural products and the modification of molecular structures.

Abstract: A chemical composition is disclosed for use in the treatment and dissolution of oil sludge. The composition includes an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant. In addition, a wetting agent is included along with an aromatic hydrocarbon carrier. Finally, an effective amount of a catalyst activator is included.

Abstract: This invention discloses an integrated process of alkylation of olefins and regeneration of spent sulfuric acid. The alkylation of olefins may be replaced by nitration of toluene or by chlor-alkali process. The sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst or a absorbent, and the spent sulfuric acid is regenerated in situ and is recycled in the alkylation of olefins, nitration of toluene or chlor-alkali processes.

Abstract: A method of treating oil sludge and an apparatus for carrying out same, whereby oil of good quality and inorganic harmless slag can be easily obtained. The method includes agitating oil sludge in an electrolytic tank so as to liquefy same, extracting waste fluid from the liquefied oil sludge, separating solid material from the liquefied oil sludge with a centrifugal separator, extracting waste fluid including the solid material, transporting the liquefied oil sludge to a precipitation tank, extracting waste fluid which is separated and precipitated in the precipitation tank, applying low frequency oscillation to the oil sludge in fluid supply tubes between the electrolytic tank, centrifugal separator and precipitation tank so as to increase oxygen content, extracting oil from an upper portion of the precipitation tank, and incinerating the extracted waste fluid.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of organic sludges, the process comprising the steps of:(a) feeding dried sludge through a first reactor (16);(b) heating the dried sludge in the first reactor (16) in the absence of oxygen for the volatilization of oil producing organic materials therein, resulting in gaseous products and sludge residue (char);(c) condensing oil from the gaseous products of the first reactor (16) in a condenser system (20);(d) reinjecting water free oil and/or non-condensable products, if any, into a second reactor (24);(e) transferring the sludge residue (char) from the first reactor (16) to the second reactor (24);(f) contacting the heated sludge residue from step (b) in the second reactor (24) with the oil and/or any non-condensable products of steps (c) and (d) in the absence of oxygen to allow the generation of clean products and a high quality oil product; and(g) removing the gaseous products from the second reactor (24).

Abstract: A treatment of waste petroleum (60,70) is disclosed by decoupling association of the petroleum component to contaminants by solvent treatment (92,94) of the petroleum component, followed by ultrasonic treatment (59,71), separating the contaminants by extraction with a non-solvent (44,46) for the petroleum and solvent and then separating the petroleum. The washed petroleum is then distilled to remove solvent followed by hydroseparation and centrifugation to isolate the petroleum (67). The solids can be subjected to a hot fluid treatment in a toroidal dynamic bed (50) to free up the petroleum residues in the solid particles.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of organic sludges, the process comprising the steps of:(a) feeding dried sludge through a first reactor (16);(b) heating the dried sludge in the first reactor (16) in the absence of oxygen for the volatilisation of oil producing organic materials therein, resulting in gaseous products and sludge residue (char);(c) condensing oil from the gaseous products of the first reactor (16) in a condenser system (20);(d) reinjecting water free oil and/or non-condensable products, if any, into a second reactor (24);(e) transferring the sludge residue (char) from the first reactor (16) to the second reactor (24);(f) contacting the heated sludge residue from step (b) in the second reactor (24) with the oil and/or any non-condensable products of steps (c) and (d) in the absence of oxygen to allow the generation of clean products and a high quality oil product; and(g) removing the gaseous products from the second reactor (24).

Abstract: An improved process for neutralization of acid tars employs a bulk neutralizing agent having a specific gravity greater than that of the acid tar to be neutralized. The bulk neutralizing agent, generally in excess of an amount sufficient to accomplish neutralizing, is spread on top of the acid tar. The neutralizing agent will then begin to sink into the tar. The sinking occurs at a slow rate which is a function of tar viscosity, tar specific gravity, neutralizing agent specific gravity, and temperature. As the neutralizing material sinks into the acidic tar it reacts with the acid neutralizing the tar in situ and depleting the neutralizing agent. Not only does the reaction increase the pH of the tar, it also produces a reaction product with improved physical properties which promotes ease in handling.

Abstract: A residual oil feedstock comprises carbon residue measured according to ASTM D-4530. The feedstock is admixed with water/steam in an amount of 10 wt % to 30 wt % and optionally a hydrogen donor, such as methane and/or gas oil derived from recycle. The resulting admixture is subjected to delayed coking reaction conditions. The process yields hydrocarbon liquids in an increased amount. Coke make and gas make are thereby reduced.

Abstract: A method for extracting oil from oil-contaminated soil containing 2 to 5 wt. % oil, comprising contacting the oil-contaminated soil with a solvent in the presence of sonic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.0 kHz. Specifically, a solvent is first mixed with the oil-contaminated soil and the mixture is then formed into a slurry of oil-contaminated soil particles suspended in the solvent. Thereafter the oil-contaminated soil slurry is passed through a shaker screen to remove soil particles greater than 1/4 inch. The oil-contaminated soil slurry containing the smaller soil particles is then fed into the top of a vertically disposed, substantially rectangular shaped, hollow acoustic chamber of uniform cross-section. Fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber that flows upwardly through the acoustic chamber. The fresh solvent is injected at a rate low enough whereby the oil-contaminated soil particles fall by gravity through the upwardly flowing solvent.

Abstract: An organic material-containing sludge is fluidized and is heat-treated at a high pressure in a reactor disposed underground to obtain an oil having a high calorific value. The heat treatment may be performed using an electrical energy, the terrestrial heat or a reaction heat obtained by oxidative treatment of similer sludge.

Abstract: In a process for detoxifying a coal-tar deposit, effective amounts of carbon and a calcium oxide containing substance are added at a mixing station to at least a portion of the coal-tar deposit. The reaction mixture thus formed is mixed at a temperature of about 70.degree. F. to 130.degree. F. for a time sufficient to detoxify it and convert it into a non-hazardous reaction product. The coal-tar deposit may be either a substantially homogeneous coal-tar or a heterogeneous coal-tar contaminated substrate. The mixing station site may be either subsurface or surface and may include a container. The non-hazardous reaction product may be separated into small particles, suitable as fuel, and large particles, suitable as safe fill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting crude oil tank bottoms to a liquid fuel, which uses a powered cutting tool to break up crude oil sludge contained in an oil storage tank bottom, with injection of cutter stock to facilitate break up of the sludge, an extraction pump to extract the sludge mixture comminution chamber and optional added cutter stock to reduce the particle size of solids to a uniform size range, to form a blend stock, which can be used to dilute a liquid fuel in an amount that will not adversely affect its product specification, whereby substantially all of the fuel value of the sludge is recovered.

Abstract: A self-sustaining system and process for converting organic waste feedstreams into usable solid and gas end products includes a plurality of interconnected retorts, an apparatus for flash pyrolyzing the feedstream to form intermediate gas and solid products, a means for introducing a water spray to refine and cool the intermediate products, a means for separating the gas product from the solid product and a means for regenerating, and thereby further refining, the solid product. In a self-sustaining process, wastes which would otherwise be landfilled are converted to an activated carbon product and a combustible gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lower hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for significantly decreasing the acid sludge settling time in waste oil recovery processes comprising the steps of heating used oil to a high temperature above 725 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling the heated oil, adding an oxidizing agent to the oil, allowing the acid sludge to settle within a period of approximately 24 to 72 hours, separating the acid-sludge-free oil from the acid sludge which settles out of solution as a result of addition of the oxidizing agent, and adding a polishing agent and separating the re-refined oil from the spent polishing agent. The spent polishing agent is recycled, and the acid sludge which settles out after oxidation is converted to either hard, oxidized asphalt or soft asphalt or asphalt products such as emulsions etc. The process produces a high quality re-refined oil rapidly and economically with no acid sludge disposal problem.

Abstract: Using generated active intermediates or species simultaneously to remove water and organic compounds from the spent sulfuric acid catalyst of the alkylation of olefins and alkanes is disclosed in this invention. Over 90% water and 95% organic compounds of the spent catalyst can be removed by this invention under mild operating conditions, less than 20 atms and in the temperature range from -50.degree. to 250.degree. C. This invention provides a novel process instead of the traditional or commercial process by combustion and treatment of the spent catalyst at high temperature. It is significant to simplify comparing with the traditional process, and is a safe, simple, clean or pollutionless, and cheap one-stage process.

Abstract: A process for converting the acid sludge produced by waste oil refineries into an intermediate sludge which can be used in the production of either soft, un-oxidized asphalt or hard, oxidized asphalt, and a process for converting the intermediate sludge into soft, un-oxidized asphalt. The process comprises contacting the entire surface area of acid sludge with a pH altering agent such as water or a solid base such as lime, caustic soda, or soda ash, to convert the acid sludge into a layer of liquid and a layer of intermediate sludge. Then the liquid layer is separated from the intermediate sludge layer, thereby producing an intermediate sludge having properties which make it suitable for use in asphalt production. To produce soft, un-oxidized asphalt, the intermediate sludge is heated to a temperature above the boiling point of water and held at that temperature long enough to remove all the aqueous components to create un-oxidized asphalt.

Abstract: Aqueous sulfur and caustic component-containing waste streams are disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner employing a process featuring integrated coking and gasification operations.

Abstract: A process for producing a delayed coker quench stream for use in the quench cycle of a delayed coking process wherein a waste stream containing water, organic compounds and solids is treated to produce a coker feed stream containing from about 5 to about 35% by weight solids, water and less than about 6% by weight mobile organics, the solids having a particle size distribution such that greater than about 70% of the total solids volume comprises solids having a particle size of less than about 15 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating oily wastes, which have a predominantly liquid phase, by mixing the oily waste with a granulating medium under turbulent flow conditions. The process comprises mixing the oily waste with a granulating medium under such conditions, wherein granules are formed having an attrition index of less than about 10 percent and a filtration index of greater than 0.20 gallons per minute per square foot. The contaminating hydrocarbons may then be removed by contacting the granules with a solvent capable of removing at least a portion of the contaminating hydrocarbons. The granules are then recovered by means known in the art.

Abstract: Distress feeds, such as refinery sludge and slop oils are upgraded over hot equilibrium catalyst (E-Cat) removed from an FCC regenerator. Hot E-Cat demetallizes and/or demulsifies slop and sludge streams in an auxiliary reactor without contaminating the FCC catalyst inventory. Waste streams are upgraded with a "waste" catalyst stream. The auxiliary reactor and FCC reactor may share a product fractionator.

Abstract: Process for conditioning waste sulfuric acid which is prone to precipitation of tars or resins, which comprises adding emulsifiers, preferably long-chain polyethers, to the waste sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for removing and recovering specific constituents from a waste stream at higher temperatures than the boiling point of the specific waste within a compound of chemicals and inert materials forming ninety-five (95%) percent of the waste stream in the United States. In the process, the waste is moved at a specified retention time, through a heat zone, thus increasing the temperature of the waste stream. There is further provided a means to separate certain components in that waste stream, whereby the components are vaporized and are released in a gaseous state, either from a liquid or a solid within the waste stream. The gaseous components are then transferred in the gaseous state through a flow of an inert medium, such as nitrogen gas, to inhibit combustion of the components, or to prevent the combination of oxidation, or oxygen being used as a catalyst to form even more hazardous compounds.

Abstract: A process for converting the acid sludge produced by waste oil refineries into an acid sludge intermediary which can be used in the production of asphaltic mixtures. The process includes contacting the entire surface area of acid sludge with a pH altering agent such as an aqueous inorganic liquid, and separating the liquid layer from the sludge layer, thereby producing an intermediate sludge having properties which make it suitable for use in asphalt production.

Abstract: A process for deoiling wastes is disclosed. The process is integrated with a refinery and utilizes a refinery intermediary hydrocarbon stream as a solvent to recover waste oil for reprocessing in the refinery and to produce waste solids, which are either reused or disposed for landtreatment.

Abstract: A waste sludge that contains water, oil and solids is subjected to filtration under vacuum or an applied inert gas pressure, preferably no more than 50 psia while utilizing a filter aid, to retain the maximum amount of oil in the filter cake. The filter cake is then dried at a relatively low temperature, slightly above the boiling point of water, to selectively remove water and produce a high heating value non-sticking solid. The product thus obtained in suitable for use as a solid fuel for a cement kiln or other combustion facilities. Depending on the amount of oil present in the original sludge, the applied pressure can be varied to retain different amounts of oil and to produce different heating values desired in the final solid fuel.

Abstract: A process for the removal of cyanides from contaminated oily solid waste performed by utilizing a single processing zone wherein multiple processing steps are carried out to remove contaminants. The steps include loading a contaminated oily solid waste into a zone where the solid is reduced in size, adjusting the pH of the oily solid waste, dewatering or deoiling the oily solid waste and drying the resulting solid, extracting the resulting dried solid with organic solvent, and further drying the extracted solid to remove residual moisture, cyanide, solvent, and volatile organics.

Abstract: Commercially valuable oil is recovered from refinery-produced, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act classified, hazardous waste oil sludges by a series of volatilizing and condensing steps (which may vary depending on the oil, water, and solids content of the sludge) resulting in the production of nonhazardous water and solid waste byproducts. A pumpable, low viscosity, high oil- and/or water-content sludge is first centrifuged to separate free oil and water. If the waste sludges are acidic or if nickel is present in the sludges in sufficient quantities so as to result in unacceptable levels in the TCLP leach filtrate, a base (such as calcium oxide) is admixed with the thick waste oil sludge, centrifuge solids, or other sludges low in oil and/or water content to render the sludges basic. The basic, admixed sludges are heated to volatilize the contained water and oil. Dry, friable, deoiled solids are recycled with the oily sludge feed to prevent material agglomeration and heat exchanger fouling.

Abstract: Process obtains improved viscosity and improved distillates proportion in heavy hydrocarbons, as heavy crude oil, by providing a feedstock of heavy hydrocarbons containing a water content of greater than or equal to 1% with respect to the weight of the hydrocarbons and reacting said hydrocarbons with a gas containing methane under pressure and at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of tank bottom wastes employing a flash tank fed with hot, pressurized tank bottom wastes and separating a vapor component and heavier bottoms then fed to a stripping reactor along with hot gas producing an overhead vapor with a solid remainder. Such remainder is alternatively fed to a pyrolyzing reactor at elevated temperatures producing vapors with a solid residue. The vapor streams are used with a regenerative heat exchanger to heat said tank bottom wastes to a temperature appropriate for entering the flash tank. Certain recycled material is employed as fuel.

Abstract: A refinery derived spent caustic is recycled by introducing the spent caustic to a delayed coking drum while conducting delayed coking of a hydrocarbon feedstock. The alkali metal containing material accelerates coking, induces production of shot coke, alleviates the problem of a hot drum and reduces drum cooling time.

Abstract: A process for removing and recovering specific constituents from a waste stream at higher temperatures than the boiling point of the specific constituents. In the process, the waste is moved at a specified retention time, through a heat zone, thus increasing the temperature of the waste stream. There is further provided a means to separate certain components in that waste stream whereby the components are evaporated and are released in a gaseous state, either from a liquid or a solid within the waste stream. The gaseous components are then transferred in the gaseous state through a flow of an inert medium, such as nitrogen gas, to inhibit combustion of the components, or to prevent the combination of oxidation, or oxygen being used as a catalyst to form even more hazardous compounds.

Abstract: Drill cuttings are cleaned of oil-based drilling mud and oil using a cleansing agent, such as a C6-C10 carboxylic acid, that is preferentially oil soluble at one pH and preferentially water soluble at another pH. The oily cuttings are treated with the carboxylic acid and then washed with an aqueous, alkaline washing solution, which converts the carboxylic acid to its water soluble salt and, with vigorous agitation, lifts most of the oil from the cuttings. In other embodiments, the process is used for cleaning oil-contaminated soil, sand, and gravel, and for separating the oils from the solids in oily sludges.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbon contaminants from a drilling mud by adding a hydrocarbon diluent along with a wash water to create an emulsion. The wash water having a surfactant dissolved therein. The resultant emulsion is subjected to centrifugation which produces three distinct layers that can be easily separated to produce a clean drilling mud, a clear wash water, and a hydrocarbon phase containing the hydrocarbon contaminant and the hydrocarbon diluent.

Abstract: The ammonium sulphate contained in tar-rich waste streams from the production of (meth)acrylonitrile can be precipitated out by adding 1 to 30 times the amount by weight of methanol, relative to the water content of the waste stream, and additionally 0.05 to 10% the amount by weight of ammonia, relative to methanol, to such a waste stream at 10.degree.-60.degree. C. and separating off the ammonium sulphate which precipitates out. The waste stream remaining after separating off the ammonium sulphate can, for example, be disposed of as low-sulphur waste-fuel in a combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatment methods for breaking emulsions of petroleum oil and salt water, fatty oil and water, and those resulting from liquefication of organic material. The emulsions are broken by heating to a predetermined temperature at or above about 200.degree. C. and pressurizing to a predetermined pressure above the vapor pressure of water at the predetermined temperature to produce a heated and pressurized fluid. The heated and pressurized fluid is contained in a single vessel at the predetermined temperature and pressure for a predetermined period of time to effectively separate the emulsion into substantially distinct first and second phases, the first phase comprising primarily the petroleum oil, the second phase comprising primarily the water. The first and second phases are separately withdrawn from the vessel at a withdraw temperature between about 200.degree. C. and 374.degree. C. and a withdraw pressure above the vapor pressure of water at the withdraw temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides for a process for separating extractable organic material from a feed composition comprising said extractable organic material intermixed with solids and water, the process comprising:(A) contacting said feed composition with a solvent mixture in an enclosed space, said solvent mixture comprising at least one first organic solvent and at least one second organic solvent, said first organic solvent being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said extractable organic material per million parts of said first organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said first organic solvent boils at atmospheric pressure, said second organic solvent being different than and more volatile than said first organic solvent and being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said first organic solvent per million parts of said second organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said second organic solvent boils at atmospheric p

Abstract: To render residues such as thickened sludge and sedimented crude oil or refinery products which collect at the bottom of a tank into pumpable flowable condition, crude oil is taken from an upward region of the tank, pumped upwardly to a suction pump (609)-pressure pump (605) unit (610) located, for example, on top of a floating roof of the tank, the pressurized crude oil taken from the top portion of the tank being reintroduced through a preferably rotating liquefaction lance (13) to a region in the vicinity of the sedimented sludge. The pressure is converted into hydrodynamic energy. Preferably, a plurality of such lances are used, arranged with respect to each other to form eddies or vorteces, to establish flow patterns within the tank, thereby liquefying the sludge or residues and rendering them into pumpable flowable condition for removal from the tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for injecting sludge into the vapor phase of a coking process to vaporize the sludge while minimizing the carryover of solids and coke to downstream equipment. The process and apparatus are applicable to use in both fluid and delayed coking operations and are useful on various sludges which can be found in refineries or petrochemical plants.

Abstract: A method for the decomposition of halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds contained in a contaminated medium comprises adding an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, bicarbonate or hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an aqueous solution or in a solvent having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C., or in the form of a solid dispersion or suspension. The medium includes a hydrogen donor compound. The hydrogen donor compound may be originally contained in the medium or may be added to the medium. The medium further includes a catalytic source of carbon, for example, a carabohydrate, which will cause formation of a free radical hydrogen ion from the hydrogen donor compound. The medium is heated to dehydrate the medium and then is further heated at a temperature between about 200.degree. and 400.degree. C. to cause formation of the free radical hydrogen ion and effect reductive decomposition of the halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds.

Abstract: A mixture of an oil sludge and an oil-contained waste water is first separated into a first oil-contained water and an oily dust containing metal-contained dust, fine metal powder and small fragments. Secondly, the oily dust is washed and separated into a harmless oil-free dust and a second oil-contained water containing the metal. Finally, both the first and second oil-contained water are separated into oil, harmless water and metal hydroxide by electrolysis. Thus, the mixture of the oil sludge and the oil-contained waste water is separated into components, which are in turn recovered, recycled, or converted into new materials, and the purification of the waste water can be realized.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from acid sludge by mixing the sludge with methyl ethyl ketone and base. A hydrocarbon-rich methyl ethyl ketone stream and a solids-containing stream are separated from the mixture, and a hydrocarbon stream is separated from the hydrocarbon-rich methyl ethyl ketone stream.

Abstract: A method for the decomposition of halogenated organic compounds contained in a contaminated medium comprises adding an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate to the contaminated medium in an aqueous solution or in a solvent having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C., or in the form of a solid dispersion or suspension. The medium is heated to dehydrate the medium and then is further heated at a temperature between about 250.degree. and 400.degree. C. to effect decomposition of the halogenated organic compounds. An acid is then added to the medium in an amount sufficient to neutralize the same.

Abstract: Petroleum refinery waste stream sludges are recycled by segregating the sludges according to their oil content. Sludges of high oil content are developed and then injected into a delayed coking unit during the coking phase so that they are converted to coke and liquid coking products. High water content sludges are used to quench the coke during the quench phase of the coking cycle, with minimal increases in coke volatile matter. The process increases the capacity of the delayed coking unit to process and recycle refinery waste sludges and produce a coke of lower volatile content.

Abstract: A method of dewatering oil mud that occurs on board ships during the processing of heavy, diesel, and lubricating oils and consists of a mixture of water and mineral-oil residue that is intercepted on board and subjected to centrifuging. The liquids contaminated with mineral-oil residue that occur on board are collected in two separate containers. The liquids that contain heavy oil and diesel oil are conveyed to the first container and the liquids that contain lubricating oil are conveyed to the second container along with the water that occurs when the oils are processed. The contents of the containers are then conveyed sequentially to one and the same centrifuging device to concentrate the solids. The resulting liquid phases are subjected to separate further processing with on-board equipment, allowing complete disposal or further use of the liquids.