Abstract: This invention relates to a process for electrochemical conversion of dibenzothiophene type molecules of petroleum feedstreams selectively to mercaptan compounds that can then be more easily removed from the electrochemically treated product stream by either caustic extraction or thermal decomposition of the thiol functionality to hydrogen sulfide. The conversion of dibenzothiophenes to mercaptans is performed by electrochemical means in the substantial absence of hydrogen and in the substantial absence of water.

Abstract: A self-contained system which promotes the multiplication of algae from either salt water or fresh water sources as a feedstock. This process inspires a direct output of lipids for bio-diesel fuel as well as a significant raw algae yield which can be further processed into additional bio-fuel as well as other valuable resources. In addition to inspiring a direct output of algal lipids for bio-diesel, the system generates massive raw algae biomass output that can be directly utilized as an agent for efficiently cleaning up oil spills.

Abstract: This invention relates to the partial hydrogenation of sulfur containing petroleum feedstreams by electrochemical means. The partially hydrogenated feedstream is then conducted to processes for either conversion and removal of at least some of the sulfur-containing species from the electrochemical desulfurization process or adsorption and removal of at least some of the sulfur-containing species from the electrochemical desulfurization process.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. The device includes various embodiments adapted for use as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or for use within the home. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source. One embodiment is especially adapted for treatment of oil slop to remove water from the oil, and for treatment of seawater to desalinate the same.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source. One embodiment is adapted for treatment of fluid containing soluble or particulate organic compounds recalcitrant to biodegradation, including nitrogenous contaminants, such as ammonia or an ammonium compounds. The device and method of the invention include the use of an oxidizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide to aid in the removal of organic contaminants.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged vertically which induces a vertical flow of liquid through a device. The device includes various embodiments adapted for use as a large industrial unit, a portable unit or for use within the home. The voltage and amperage of the electrical field chamber may be adjusted by placing selected reaction plates in electrical contact with the voltage source. One embodiment is especially adapted for treatment of oil slop to remove water from the oil, and for treatment of seawater to desalinate the same.

Abstract: A method of reduction reclamation of an oil or prevention of oxidation degradation of the oil of the present invention includes: using an electrolytic cell 13 having an anode 11 and a cathode 12 made of a hydrogen storage material, and inside of the cell divided by the cathode 12 into an electrolytic chamber 13A and a reduction chamber 12A; supplying the oil to the reduction chamber 12A while applying an electric voltage between the anode 11 and the cathode 12 to electrolyze an electrolytic solution supplied to the electrolytic chamber 13 (Translator's comment: correctly, 13A); and absorbing hydrogen generated on the cathode 12 in the electrolytic chamber 13A in the cathode 12 to reduce the oil in the reduction chamber 12A, the method for reduction reclamation of the oil or prevention of oxidation degradation of the oil allowing continuous treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing vegetable oil fuel with low viscosity, including a transesterification step P1 with respect to vegetable oil with triglyceride structure having unsaturated fatty acid, an ozone treatment step P2 with respect to unsaturated fatty acid methyl ester generated in the transesterification step P1, and a reduction step P3 with respect to the ozonide generated in the ozone treatment step P2.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with an electrochemical conversion system to remove oxygen from fuel through conversion of the oxygen to water. The electrochemical conversion system is located within a fuel flow. On the fuel side ½O2+2H++2e?=>H2O while on the reverse side the opposite reaction occurs. From the electrochemical conversion system the water is then collected and/or expelled from the system.

Abstract: A method of electrochemically hydrogenating an oil, the method comprising reacting unsaturated fatty acids in the oil with hydrogen in the presence of a formate electrocatalyst.

Abstract: Glycerin is effectively produced from a waste oil by a method comprising adding a strongly alkaline reducing water obtained by electrolyzing water containing sodium chloride to a waste oil selected from the group consisting of a waste edible oil, a fossil fuel waste oil and a mixture thereof, and extracting natural glycerin or synthetic glycerin by chemical reaction. Further, reusable edible oil is produced from a waste edible oil by a method comprising electrolyzing an aqueous solution having an electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, mixing a strongly alkaline reducing water generated at a cathode side of the electrolytic cell with a waste edible oil under ordinary temperature condition, and conducting oil/water separation, thereby purifying the waste edible oil to an extent such that it can be edible.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a water-soluble lubricant which comprises a container in which an anode and a cathode are arranged and supplied with a voltage, a partition arranged so as to divide said container into a cathode section, into which a water-soluble lubricant is introduced, and an anode section, into which an electrically conductive material is introduced, and a diaphragm provided in at least a portion of the partition such that an electric current flows between said anode and said cathode, the cathode being an electrode generating a substance sterilizing the lubricant.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to an electrochemical process for removing polymerizable sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon feed by (a) combining a solvent and electrolyte with a feed comprising hydrocarbon and polymerizable sulfur compounds to form a first mixture; (b) passing said first mixture into an electrochemical reactor to electrochemically oxidize said polymerizable sulfur compounds in said mixture under conditions capable of producing sulfur oligomers from said polymerizable sulfur compounds; (c) separating said oxidized first mixture to obtain a desulfurized hydrocarbon feed, and a second mixture comprising sulfur oligomers, solvent and electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process for treating liquid waste material containing at least one environment-polluting substance, comprising causing the liquid waste material to be treated to pass between and to contact at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes, across which a dc potential difference is applied, to cause the at least one environment-polluting organic substance to be at least partially decomposed into a gaseous or liquid form. The invention also relates to a treatment unit for performing the process.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for hydrogenating an unsaturated fatty acid, mixtures of two or more fatty acids, or the unsaturated fatty acid constituents of an edible or non-edible oil's triglycerides is performed using a solid polymer electrolyte reactor. Membrane electrode assemblies consist of a cation exchange membrane onto which porous anode and cathode electrodes are attached. As the electrodes are permeable, reactant and products enter and leave the membrane/cathode and membrane/anode reaction zones via the back sides of the electrodes. Hydrogen is generated in situ by the electro-reduction of protons that are formed at the anode and which migrate through the ion exchange membrane for reaction with the fifty acids or fatty acid constituents. In the disclosed process, only protons (H+ ions) carry the current between the anode and the cathode. The need for a supporting electrolyte to conduct electricity has been circumvented.

Abstract: Wastewater containing a surfactant and an oil content that has been emulsified by the action of the surfactant can be freed of the oil content by a method including feeding the wastewater into the anode compartment, for electrolysis, of a diaphragm electrolyzer having an anode and a cathode provided in the anode compartment and a cathode compartment, respectively, which are spaced apart by a porous diaphragm and which are supplied with a dc voltage between the anode and the cathode, passing part of the electrolyzed wastewater through the diaphragm so that it enters the cathode compartment, discharging the influent from the cathode compartment, discharging the remainder of the electrolyzed wastewater from the anode compartment and introducing the same into the intermediate portion of a gas-liquid separator, withdrawing part of the influent from the top of the gas-liquid separator and introducing the same into a layer packed with an adhering material, where it is brought into contact with the adhering material,

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically decreasing the Conradson carbon number of petroleum streams by contacting a Conradson carbon containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to decrease the Conradson carbon of the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for electrochemically demetallating petroleum streams by contacting a hydrocarbon-soluble metals containing petroleum stream and an aqueous electrolysis medium with a low hydrogen overpotential metal cathode at an electric current and pH sufficient to demetallate the petroleum stream. The cathode voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 7 to 14. The cathode material typically is stainless steel, chromium, copper and nickel.

Abstract: Wastewater containing a surfactant and an oil content that has been emulsified by the action of the surfactant can be freed of the oil content by a method including feeding the wastewater into the anode compartment, for electrolysis, of a diaphragm electrolyzer having an anode and a cathode provided in the anode compartment and a cathode compartment, respectively, which are spaced apart by a porous diaphragm and which are supplied with a dc voltage between the anode and the cathode, passing part of the electrolyzed wastewater through the diaphragm so that it enters the cathode compartment, discharging the influent from the cathode compartment, discharging the remainder of the electrolyzed wastewater from the anode compartment and introducing the same into the intermediate portion of a gas-liquid separator, withdrawing part of the influent from the top of the gas-liquid separator and introducing the same into a layer packed with an adhering material, where it is brought into contact with the adhering material,

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (i.e. to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.

Abstract: A process and system for converting petroleum residue ("resid") into a liquid product and a solid product. The resid is first mixed with a solvent having a generally nonpolar molecular character. A strong electric field is then applied to the mixture to agglomerate the asphaltenes and other large molecules in the resid. The agglomerates are then separated from the remaining liquid, thereby producing liquid and solid products. The liquid product is useful as a feedstock for petrochemicals and transportation fuels, and the solid product is suitable for combustion as a coal substitute. A portion of the liquid product may be recycled as the solvent.

Abstract: An oxidation process for regeneration and closed loop recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminants converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is mixed with a stoichiometrically limited amount of an ozone containing gas. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor state (a gas/liquid mist). Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminants are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The regenerated cleaning solution has a cleaning strength at least as great as the strength of the original cleaning solution prior to contamination. The regenerated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained.

Abstract: A method of separating soap fibers from the liquid phase component of grease to prepare the fibers for microscopic analysis includes the steps of admixing a sample of the grease with a solvent to remove the liquid phase component from the fibers and provide a final liquid product having the fibers in suspension therein, contacting the final product with a pair of spaced electrodes, applying a direct voltage across the electrodes to charge the same positive and negative respectively, and withdrawing for analysis a small quantity of the final product from a region thereof proximate the negative electrode after the voltage has been applied for a predetermined energization period. The withdrawn quantity may be deposited on a polished carbon stub and further prepared for analysis by a scanning electron microscope.

Abstract: A device is placed in a container containing flowing fluid to neutralize fluid contaminants and prevent their deposition on the walls of the container. The device includes a weak electrical current generator having an electric half-cell that forms an electric circuit with the earth-grounded container via the liquid and generates electrons to neutralize the charged contaminants. The generator includes one or more cupriferous tubes containing a mixture of vegetable oil, and powders of copper, zinc, manganese, cellulose and predominantly iron. Preferably, each tube contains:vegetable oil--5.0-20.0%iron powder--50.0-80.0%copper powder--2.0-10.0%zinc powder--2.0-10.0%manganese powder--2.0-10.0%cellulose powder--2.0-15.0%trace minerals--.ltoreq.0.50%.This device may be placed in the line of flow of a deep oil well to prevent deposition of paraffin and other contaminants onto the walls of the pipeline.

Abstract: An advanced oxidation process and apparatus for closed loop treating and recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminates converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is subjected to an ozone containing gas and alternating direct current. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor (gas/liquid mist) state. Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminates are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers and the excess organic surfactants, detergents, wetting agents, and emulsifiers are simultaneously converted into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water. The treated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained.

Abstract: An electrochemical process and system for dehalogenating halogenated hydrocarbons. The process facilitates on-site processing and transformation of waste oils, PCB oils in electrical transformers and chlorinated solvents to salts. The system includes a two-piece tubular structure including an electrical insulating member, an electrode member having perforations leading into a hollow vessel portion. The process includes, by example, reacting the halogenated hydrocarbon compound with at least one metal hydroxide selected from a metallic hydroxide group consisting of sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide in the presence of an alcohol selected from an alcohol group consisting of methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol. The tubular structure is inserted into the container and energized by applying a voltage to the electrode member.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an essentially aqueous electrolysis medium, and passing an electric current through the mixture at a voltage, pH and time sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (i.e. to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE at a pH of from 6 to 14, preferably 7 to 14, most preferably above 7 to 14.The invention provides a method for enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their Ni and V content.