With Treating Agent Patents (Class 208/188)
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Patent number: 6165360Abstract: A method and a device for dehydrating a heavy oil wherein an emulsion of water and a heavy oil is mixed in a stirring chamber together with a suitable amount of an emulsion breaker, the mixture is subjected to separation in a two-phase separation tank to a heavy oil-rich component and a water-rich component, the heavy oil-rich component is then fed to a dehydrator of a high voltage charge type in which separation to a dehydrated heavy oil and a water-rich component is effected, the water-rich component fractions supplied from the two-phase separation tank and the dehydrator are mixed in a pipeline, the mixture thus obtained is admixed with an O/W emulsion breaker and then, fed to a stirring chamber and finally separated to a heavy oil-containing component and a heavy oil-free water layer in a second separation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Suzumura, Masato Kaneko, Isao Matsuura, Masami Fukunaga, Masaki Iijima
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Patent number: 6120678Abstract: Improved performance in the phase separation of aqueous brines from hydrocarbons within an electrostatic desalter operation is obtained by the addition to the crude oil emulsions entering the desalter of an effective asphaltene dispersing amount of an alkyl phenol-formaldehyde liquid resin polymer, optionally in the presence of a lipophilic/hydrophilic vinylic polymer. The preferred resin is a nonyl phenol-formaldehyde resin having a molecular weight of from 1,000-20,000, and the preferred vinylic polymer is a copolymer of lauryl (meth)acrylate and hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate. Best results from the electrostatic desalter are obtained when also using a demulsifier chemical treatment along with the asphaltene dispersing treatments. Desalter efficiency is increased and desalter brine effluent quality is greatly increased.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: William K. Stephenson, Joe Scott Walker, Bordan W. Krupay, Sheraldean A. Wolsey-Iverson
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Patent number: 6106700Abstract: An aqueous composition containing an amine oxide surfactant, and preferably containing an amine oxide surfactant and enzymes, is added to crude oil, preferably by injecting the composition into the oil well, or adding the composition to pipelines or tankage containing the oil. An acid can also be used in conjunction with the composition. The composition acts to remove hydrocarbon contamination, from the well bore and mechanical components and further serves to break up the oil/water/sludge emulsion being delivered from the well head to facilitate separation of the oil. When used with an acid, the composition increases the effectiveness of the acid in removing inorganic contamination.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: United Laboratories International, LLCInventors: Bevan C. Collins, Pat A. Mestetsky
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Patent number: 6068759Abstract: A process is provided for recovering lube oil base stocks from used lubricating oil formulations containing base oil stock and organo-metallic component which obviates preseparation of water and light hydrocarbons contaminants. The process comprises directly contacting used lubricating oil with a heated vapor, e.g., steam, under conditions which at least partially decompose the organo-metallic component and provide a desired volume of pumpable bottoms containing organo-metallic compound decomposition products and an overhead comprising gases and distillatable hydrocarbons, with no substantial carryover of metals into the overhead. The process may be carried out under conditions which minimize decomposition of high molecular weight additives such as VI improvers, to provide a bottoms fraction which may be added to asphalt or fuel oil.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLCInventors: Howard F Moore, Donald P Malone, Patricia K Doolin, David J Zalewski
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Patent number: 6039880Abstract: A method for dehydrating a waste hydrocarbon sludge, includes the steps of: (a) providing a waste hydrocarbon sludge in the form of an emulsion of water and oil having a water content greater than or equal to about 10% vol; (b) providing a solution of a clarifying agent in formation water; (c) mixing the waste hydrocarbon sludge with the solution so as to provide a sludge-water mixture having a ratio of water to hydrocarbon of at least about 1:1; (d) adding a demulsifier to the sludge-water mixture to provide a sludge-water-demulsifier mixture; (e) heating the sludge-water-demulsifier mixture to a sufficient temperature and holding for a time sufficient to provide a hydrocarbon phase having a water content of less than or equal to about 1% vol.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Intevep, S.A.Inventor: Carmen Morataya
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Patent number: 6036849Abstract: A method of removing hydrocarbons from soils contaminated with various hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, motor oil and crude oil. The process first screens the soil to remove oversized rocks and debris and to reduce the contaminated soil to uniformly sized particles. The soil particles are moved along a conveyor and first sprayed with an oxidizer diluted with ionized water and then sprayed with only ionized water. The washed particles are then vigorously mixed with their entrained oxidizer and ionized water in an auger mixer for several minutes to oxidize almost all of the remaining hydrocarbons. The washed and hydrocarbon-free soil is then moved by conveyor to a stockpile for storage, testing and drying.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Universal Environmental Technologies Inc.Inventors: William W. Rippetoe, David N. Shroff
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Patent number: 6007702Abstract: A process for removing water from heavy crude oil uses an inorganic salt which is a Group IA or Group IIA metal halide or nitrate salts. The crude oil is in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion with water content of 8% (by weight) or less. The salt is stirred into the crude oil. The resulting mixture is warmed. A water layer with added salts and an oil layer form. The salts are water soluble and settle out of the crude oil layer with the water.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Vernon H. Schievelbein
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Patent number: 5989436Abstract: A method and a device for dehydrating a heavy oil wherein an emulsion of water and a heavy oil is mixed in a stirring chamber together with a suitable amount of an emulsion breaker, the mixture is subjected to separation in a two-phase separation tank to a heavy oil-rich component and a water-rich component, the heavy oil-rich component is then fed to a dehydrator of a high voltage charge type in which separation to a dehydrated heavy oil and a water-rich component is effected, the water-rich component fractions supplied from the two-phase separation tank and the dehydrator are mixed in a pipeline, the mixture thus obtained is admixed with an O/W emulsion breaker and then, fed to a stirring chamber and finally separated to a heavy oil-containing component and a heavy oil-free water layer in a second separation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Suzumura, Masato Kaneko, Isao Matsuura, Masami Fukunaga, Masaki Iijima
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Patent number: 5948242Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy crude oil production is described which involves adding a diluent, or solvent, which is a light hydrocarbon to reduce the viscosity and specific gravity of the crude oil being processed. After dilution, the emulsions in the crude are broken and the separation of the crude into the components follows, aided by a second injection of diluent. This upgrades the crude and enhances the amount recovered for processing at a refinery. A high asphalt content of a heavy crude can also be tolerated in the practice of this invention resulting in environmentally-benign solids and water exiting a process which due to the modularization of equipment can be practiced at the well-head itself.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: UniPure CorporationInventors: Ernest O. Ohsol, John W. Pinkerton, Thomas E. Gillespie, Thomas H. Laity
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Patent number: 5919353Abstract: In a method for thermally reforming an emulsion, comprising removing water and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt contained in an oil-in-water type emulsion of a tarry material or a heavy fuel oil (e.g., ORINOCO BITUMEN), sulfuric acid is added, in an amount of preferably 0.05% to 1.0% by weight based on the emulsion, to the emulsion, the mixture is allowed to stand at such a temperature as to give a difference in density between separated water and heavy fuel oil, preferably for 10 min or more, to permit oil-water separation, and the separated oil phase is withdrawn. When the tarry material is ORINOCO BITUMEN, an emulsion made of ORINOCO BITUMEN is thermochemically reformed by adding 0.1 to 0.4% by weight of sulfuric acid to ORINOCO BITUMEN, allowing the mixture to stand under pressure at a temperature of 170.degree. to 200.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. LTD.Inventors: Hidenobu Itou, Isao Tanaka, Manabu Katagiri, Yasuhisa Endou, Yutaka Nagita
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Patent number: 5882506Abstract: An invention is disclosed whereby refinery waste emulsion streams such as API slop oils, desalter rag layer emulsions, mud pit sludges and the like having high viscosities and specific gravity approaching that of water can be treated for the recovery of processable oil values which had previously been unavailable by adding a sufficient amount of a light hydrocarbon diluent to the emulsion to lower its overall viscosity and to reduce the specific gravity of the oil phase to less than about 0.92. The diluted emulsions are subjected to flashing at emulsion-breaking conditions after which the oil is recovered from the various streams created in the flashing steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Inventors: Ernest O. Ohsol, John W. Pinkerton, Thomas E. Gillespie
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Patent number: 5858247Abstract: The invention involves the demulsification and liquefaction of hydrocarbon based sludges. A demulsifier and a liquefaction agent and methods of using the same are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the demulsifier contains a salt of DDBSA, polypropylene glycol, and citrene. In a preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and sodium silicate. In another preferred embodiment, the liquefaction agent contains a glycol ether and citrene. In preferred practice, the sludge is treated with the liquefaction agent, circulated, treated with the demulsifier, and circulated further. An object of the invention is to provide a hydrocarbon based sludge that is sufficiently liquefied to be pumped and which is sufficiently demulsified to allow the waters, oils, and solids in the sludge to separate.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Texchem Group International, L.L.C.Inventor: Gale James Campbell
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Patent number: 5772866Abstract: Compositions of an non-alkkoxylated alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin and poly(alkylene glycol) are effective at breaking water-in-oil emulsions in a liquid hydrocarbon. Preferably, the composition is employed in a crude oil desalting system.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Hart
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Patent number: 5759409Abstract: Water is separated from crude oil by a process in which the oil demulsifier used is a mixture ofA) compounds which have demulsifying activity and are of the structure type of the(a) polyethyleneimine alkoxylate,(b) mono- or oligoamine alkoxylate,(c) alkoxylated alkylphenol/formaldehyde resins,(d) alkoxylated amine-modified alkylphenol/formaldehyde resins,(e) co- or terpolymers of alkoxylated acrylates or methacrylates with vinyl compounds,(f) condensates of mono- or oligoamine alkoxylates, dicarboxylic acids and alkylene oxide block copolymers, where these condensates may furthermore be completely or partially quaternized at the nitrogen atoms, or(g) compounds (a) to (f) reacted with crosslinking agents andB) as a demulsifying assistant, a polyalkylene glycol ether which has no demulsifying activity and is of the general formula I or IIR.sup.1 ?(OA.sup.1).sub.a --OH!.sub.n (I)H--(OA.sup.1).sub.b --(OA.sup.2).sub.c --(OA.sup.3).sub.d --OH(II)whereR.sup.1 is a monovalent to decavalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Knauf, Knut Oppenlander, Wilhelmus Slotman
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Patent number: 5746908Abstract: A process for desalting a crude oil comprises (1) injecting steam into the oil to form a steam-injected oil; (2) adding water to the steam-injected oil to form a mixture; (3) introducing the mixture to a desalter; (4) inducing the formation of aqueous phase and oil phase; and (5) separating the oil phase from the aqueous phase. Where there are two desalting stages for desalting crude oil, the process can be carried out in either the first stage or second stage, or both stages. The process can also be similarly employed in a multistage desalting process.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventor: Kent E. Mitchell
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Patent number: 5693216Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking oil and water emulsions are disclosed. Oil and water emulsions are broken by treating the emulsion with a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer. The preferred composition is an aqueous solution of a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer, a water soluble organic multivalent salt and a glycol. The preferred salt is aluminum chlorohydrate and the preferred glycol is hexylene glycol.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Hart, Jen-Chi Chen, Fu Chen, Thai H. Duong
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Patent number: 5693257Abstract: Compositions of an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin and poly(alkylene glycol) are effective at breaking water-in-oil emulsions in a liquid hydrocarbon. Preferably, the composition is employed in a crude oil desalting system.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Hart
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Patent number: 5660717Abstract: Hydrolyzable cations contained in crude oil are removed from crude oil by treatment of the crude oil with an aqueous solution containing 100 to 5000 ppm of a water soluble anionic polymer containing at least 20 mole percent mer groups from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, sulfomethylated polyacrylamide, aminomethanephosphonic acid modified acrylic acid and their water soluble alkali metal and ammonium salts. By removing the hydrolyzable cations, corrosion occurring on metal surfaces in contact with the treated oil during subsequent refining is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L. P.Inventor: Paul M. Lindemuth
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Patent number: 5643460Abstract: A method for separating emulsified oil from water in petroleum production is disclosed. Low molecular weight polymers of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride and benzyl chloride quaternary salt have good activity as reverse emulsion breakers for freeing oil tied up as a oil-in-water emulsion. The polymer reverse emulsion breakers are preferably prepared and used as aqueous solutions to obviate the need for inversion techniques and the use of hydrocarbon compatibilizers and surfactants as required for a latex polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L. P.Inventors: Robert A. Marble, Manian Ramesh, Norman Edward Byrne
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Patent number: 5614101Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for treating bottoms sludge and water-oil interphase emulsions present in a containment vessel by injecting into the sludge an effective resolving amount of an oil-based demuislfier. In a preferred embodiment, the containment vessel is a desalter containing a bottoms sludge layer, a water/brine layer, a water-oil interphase emulsion layer and a hydrocarbon layer and the demulsifier is injected through the mud wash header.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventors: Jennifer A. DeWalls, Mark S. Binford
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Patent number: 5611869Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for cleaning oil and sludge from a refinery vessel and for separating the resulting emulsion formed by the cleaning composition and the oil and sludge. The cleaner composition uses an aqueous solution of an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate, a poly(ethylene glycol)dialkyl ester and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alcohol, glycol, and glycol ether.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Hart
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Patent number: 5607574Abstract: A combination of aluminum chlorohydrate and a polyamine, such as polydiallyldimethyl ammonium chloride in an aqueous solution is described which is an effective emulsion breaker for reverse (oil-in-water) emulsions. The combination is effective at elevated temperatures and in a matrix comprising mostly oil as encountered in a crude oil desalter unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Hart
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Patent number: 5597475Abstract: A method for dewatering mineral slurries employing a copolymer of diallyldimethlylammonium halide and a vinyl alkoxysilane, which is preferably a copolymer of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and vinyltrimethoxysilane as a coagulant is disclosed. The method for dewatering mineral slurries containing water comprising the steps of: feeding said mineral slurry into a thickener, treating said mineral slurry with an effective amount of a coagulant which comprises a copolymer of halide and a vinyl alkoxysilane; allowing the water to separate from the mineral slurry, withdrawing the water from said thickener and discharging said mineral products from said thickener. Mineral slurries which can be effectively treated are copper and taconite. The above-mentioned method may also include treatment with a flocculant in conjunction with the coagulant.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1995Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: E. Michael Kerr, Manian Ramesh
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Patent number: 5573672Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating extractable organic material from a composition comprising organic material intermixed with solids and water. The composition is contacted with a solvent and a dehydrating agent. The dehydrating agent removes water, improves the solvent extraction, and aids in later separation of the solids from the solvent. The process additionally provides a means for removing cyanide compounds from the composition and fixating the metals against leaching.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Stephen C. Paspek, David S. Davies
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Patent number: 5558768Abstract: A process is described for removing chlorides from crude oils, including heavy oils and bitumens. The process steps comprise (1) mixing a non-ionic surfactant with the crude oil, (2) bubbling a gas into the crude oil-surfactant mixture to form a froth, (3) centrifuging the frothed mixture to obtain a chloride containing sediment and an oil product of reduced chloride content and (4) collecting the oil product.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Energy, Mines and Resources CanadaInventors: Michio Ikura, Maria Stanciulescu
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Patent number: 5472620Abstract: A process for separating solids from a fluid using at least one polymer and acoustic energy at or above cavitation is disclosed. The fluid containing the polymer is flowed into a vessel and acoustic energy is applied to the fluid at intensity sufficient to induce cavitation within the fluid. At least a portion of the solids are allowed to agglomerate in at least one position within the vessel. The agglomerated solids are then separated from the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventor: Pin Y. Huang
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Patent number: 5458765Abstract: This invention is a process comprising several steps for removing solid contaminants and for assisting in the dewatering of liquid hydrocarbons. For the purposes of this invention, solid contaminants include dissolved salts, either in the oil or in the emulsified water phase, or dispersed undissolved solids. First, a sample of liquid hydrocarbon containing solid contaminants is heated to a temperature in the range of 180.degree. F.-200.degree. F. Following heating, an aqueous solution of carbodihydrazide is added to the liquid hydrocarbon and the liquid hydrocarbon is re-heated to a temperature of 180.degree. F. to 200.degree. F. After re-heating, a demulsifier is added to the liquid hydrocarbon and water and the precipitated solids are separated from the liquid hydrocarbon.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventor: Porcia E. West
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Patent number: 5449463Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing crude oil from becoming emulsified in desalter wash water. According to the method, the wash water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Phillip L. Elliott, Michael L. Braden, Donald J. Newman
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Patent number: 5434323Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates within a fluid containing water and gas by adding a nonionic, amphiphilic compound obtained by reacting at least one polyalkenylsuccinic anhydride or acid with a polyethylene glycol monoether. The nonionic, amphiphilic compound is generally introduced in a concentration of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the water present.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1993Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jean-Pierre Durand, Patrick Gateau, Baley: Anne-Sophie, Andre Sugier
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Patent number: 5433863Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil and clarifying waste water from an oil field are disclosed. The method includes the step of treating the waste water with an aqueous de-emulsifying agent comprising wattle tannin, an inorganic coagulant and a synthetic polymer flocculant to destabilize the oil emulsion and rapidly agglomerate the oil particles formed thereby. Efficiency of the present de-emulsifying agent permits use of flotation equipment for rapid clean-up of the waste water and obviates the need for large settling pits.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1993Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael L. Braden, Robert A. Marble
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Patent number: 5426258Abstract: A description is given of a process for reducing the agglomeration tendency of hydrates within a fluid incorporating at least water and hydrocarbons, liable to form hydrates, under conditions where said hydrates may form, characterized in that into said fluid is incorporated an alkylene oxide-based hydrosoluble polymer or copolymer containing at least one --(OR)--.sub.n sequence, in which R represents a hydrocarbon group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms and n represents the average degree of polymerization of said sequence, at least one of the --(OR)--.sub.n sequences being an ethylene polyoxide sequence, associated with a thermodynamic inhibitor of the formation of hydrates, e.g. an alcohol or a glycol. This process is particularly appropriate for the case where the fluid to be treated contains a high proportion of water, e.g. more than 30% by weight. The presence of salts in the water can at least partly dispense with the addition of alcohols or glycols.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Michel Thomas, Anne-Sophie Baley, Jean-Pierre Durand
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Patent number: 5423979Abstract: In a multi-pass system for purifying oil or other liquids, an improved apparatus and method for mixing air with the contaminated liquid for separation after a phase change from liquid to gas. The contaminated liquid is drawn from a reservoir by a pump, filtered, and heated, and atmospheric air is induced into the contaminated liquid downstream of the heater by an eductor, which promotes the phase change from liquid to vapor. The liquid/contaminant mix, which now includes entrained air, is passed immediately through a second eductor, the compressibility of the air in tile mix, followed by expansion of the compressed air as the mix exits the second eductor, causing intimate contact of air and contaminant, thereby promoting the stripping of the contaminant from tile liquid. The air/liquid/contaminant mix is then routed to a level controlled separation tank, water vapor, contaminants, and condensate being released from tile tank ill the space above the pooled liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Inventor: Judith L. Allen
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Patent number: 5407585Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsions are broken by the use of adducts prepared by reacting high molecular weight polyalkylene glycol with ethylene oxide, or diglycidyl ether, or both ethylene oxide and diglycidyl ether. The adduct demulsifiers may be used alone or as a blend with other demulsifiers.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Grahame N. Taylor, Richard Mgla
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Patent number: 5403475Abstract: In a multi-pass system for purifying oil or other liquids, an improved apparatus and method for mixing air with the contaminated liquid for separation after a phase change from liquid to gas. The contaminated liquid is drawn from a reservoir by a pump, filtered, and heated, and atmospheric air is induced into the contaminated liquid downstream of the heater by an eductor, which promotes the phase change from liquid to vapor. The liquid/contaminant mix, which now includes entrained air, is passed immediately through a second eductor, the compressibility of the air in the mix, followed by expansion of the compressed air as the mix exits the second eductor, causing intimate contact of air and contaminant, thereby promoting the stripping of the contaminant from the liquid. The air/liquid/contaminant mix is then routed to a level controlled separation tank, water vapor, contaminants, and condensate being released from the tank in the space above the pooled liquid.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1993Date of Patent: April 4, 1995Inventor: Judith L. Allen
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Patent number: 5384039Abstract: A method for dehydrating and desalting an oil-in-water emulsion includes the steps of: injecting a demulsifier into the flow to destabilize the emulsion; injecting water to promote desalting; and passing the flow through a mixing pipeline having a length (L) and inside diameter (D) determined as follows: ##EQU1## wherein: f--is a Fanning Friction factor.rho..sub.e --is a density of the emulsion (gm/cc);Q.sub.e --is a flow rate of the emulsion (bbl/day);.mu..sub.e --is a viscosity of the emulsion (poise);K--is an instrument constant of a dynamic coalescer;F--is a rotational speed of the dynamic coalescer (rpm);t--is a mixing time (hr);D--is the inside diameter of mixing pipeline (inches); andL--is the length of the mixing pipeline (km).Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1992Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: Maravan, S.A.Inventors: Aaron Padron, Ender Anez, Raul Possamai
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Patent number: 5332507Abstract: The invention provides a method of recycling waste oil fluids including dispersed solids and emulsified water. According to the method, the waste oil is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael L. Braden, Wayne M. Carlson, Manian Ramesh, Ananthasubramanian Sivakumar
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Patent number: 5250174Abstract: A method of breaking a water-in-oil emulsion in a hydrocarbon liquid comprising adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient amount of a quaternary alkyl amine ethoxylate.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1992Date of Patent: October 5, 1993Assignee: Betz Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Hart
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Patent number: 5248449Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for breaking oil in water emulsions. More specifically, this invention relates to a cationic quarternary ammonium modified blend of a starch and a natural gum, which is effective at breaking oil in water emulsions.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1992Date of Patent: September 28, 1993Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.Inventors: David B. Mitchell, Mark W. Salihar
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Patent number: 5234626Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of demulsifying employing condensates as demulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions and prepared fromA) a precondensate from one or more trialkanolamines of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 denote the same or different 1,2-alkylene groups of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, andB) from 0.1 to 30% w/w, based on said precondensate, of one or more of the following compounds II:a) urea or a urea derivative of the general formula IIa ##STR2## b) a urea derivative of the general formula IIb ##STR3## c) a urethane of the general formula IIc ##STR4## and/or d) a urethane of the general formula IId ##STR5## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -alkenyl,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and denote hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl andR.sup.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkylene.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Rolf Fikentscher, Knut Oppenlaender, Johannes P. Dix, Wilfried Sager, Hans-Henning Vogel, Guenther Elfers
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Patent number: 5219471Abstract: A process for measuring and treating oil-water stable emulsions derived from crude oil desalters is provided. Emulsion volume is measured, the emulsion is withdrawn, blended with aromatic-rich hydrocarbon, heated and three phases--water, oil and solids--are separated by exposure to a force of at least 500 g.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1991Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Shri K. Goyal, James F. Mosby, Jack E. Treadman, II
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Patent number: 5205964Abstract: A method of breaking crude oil emulsions using a water-in-oil emulsion breaker obtained by the reaction, in anhydrous conditions, for at least one hour, of an alkyl substituted phenol-formaldehyde polymer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 4-20 carbon atoms, and wherein m and n are both independent integers, the sum of which is sufficient to achieve a molecular weight of at least 1000 and further that m, but not n, may be zero with (b) ethylene carbonate, said reaction being further accomplished in a common oleophilic solvent having a boiling point of at least 180.degree. C., the reaction further at a temperature of at least 160.degree. C. in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, said catalyst being present at a concentration, based on total weight of reactants a & b, of at least about 0.1 weight percent.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: Nalco Chemical CompanyInventors: W. Kirk Stephenson, J. Derwin DeShazo
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Patent number: 5186817Abstract: This invention provides for a process for separating extractable organic material from a feed composition comprising an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a continuous aqueous phase, a discontinuous organic liquid phase comprising said extractable organic material, and solids dispersed in said emulsion, the process comprising the steps of:(I) mixing said feed composition with sufficient shear to convert said feed composition to a water-in-oil emulsion; and(II) contacting said water-in-oil emulsion with at least one organic solvent, said organic solvent being capable of forming with said emulsion a system comprising at least two phases and being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said extractable organic material per million parts of said organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said solvent boils at atmospheric pressure; forming a system comprising at least two phases, one of said phases being an emulsion phase comprising said emulsion and the other of said phaseType: GrantFiled: April 15, 1991Date of Patent: February 16, 1993Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Paspek, Jeffrey B. Hauser, Christopher P. Eppig
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Patent number: 5176847Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsions of the type found in petroleum oil refineries and other industrial operations are demulsified by adding thereto an effective amount of a mixture of these components comprising1. Tannin or amino methylated tannin2. A cationic polymer or blend of such polymers3. An alkoxylated triamino methane or other polyfunctional amines or hydroxy compounds.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1990Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Lawrence N. Kremer
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Patent number: 5156767Abstract: A method of emulsion breaking comprising contacting an emulsion with a substrate having adhered thereto an alkylphenol-polyethylene oxide-acrylate polymer. The emulsion breaking material is used to separate water-in-oil emulsion by coalescence.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1992Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: Conoco Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Nicholas O. Wolf, Charles R. Clark, D. Philip Cords
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Patent number: 5154857Abstract: The invention relates to a water-soluble demulsifying and antifouling agent capable of separating possibly emulsified water/hydrocarbon mixtures, and particularly water/crude petroleum mixtures containing suspended matter.Said agent comprises from 10 to 60 percent by weight of a combination of the following compounds:at least one quaternary tetraalkylammonium halide; andat least one polyalkyloxylated alkylenediamine or its sulfate.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Compagnie de Raffinage et de Distribution Total FranceInventors: Marc Durrieu, Patrice Herrenschmidt, Claude Marty
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Patent number: 5147045Abstract: The use of electrostatic demulsification methods to separate fine particulates of differing surface characteristics is disclosed. In one example, particles of hydrophobic coal and hydrophilic kaolin clay, each of nominal 3.5 micron mass mean particle diameter, were separated from a variety of stable water-in-oil emulsions. 50/50 blends of coal of 4% ash and kaolin clay of 86.5% ash were used in the experiments. A variety of oils, water concentrations, solids concentrations, and emulsifiers have been used in this work. Externally applied electrostatic fields up to 1.2 kV/cm were used. Greater than 90% rejection of kaolin particles into the separated water phase was achieved with virtually complete recovery of the coal particles uniformly suspended in the oil phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1988Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Exportech Company, Inc.Inventors: Sheng-Ming B. Chi, Robin R. Oder
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Patent number: 5120428Abstract: A process is described for removing mineral or ash constituents from heavy hydrocarbon residues, such as those resulting from coal-oil coprocessing, residue hydrocracking or coal liquifaction. The process comprises the steps of: (a) intimately mixing the ash-containing heavy hydrocarbon oil residue with a surfactant and a pH-conditioned aqueous solution under high shear mixing conditions to disperse the ash-containing residue in the aqueous phase thereby creating a fine oil-in-water emulsion, (b) adding a strong oxidizing agent to the emulsion to thereby break the emulsion and release the ash into the aqueous phase and (c) separating the ash-containing aqueous phase from the oil phase. The HLB method for characterizing the emulsion forming activity of a surface active material is described in M. J. Rosen, Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1989), incorporated herein by reference.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1991Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: Energy Mines & Resources CanadaInventors: Michio Ikura, Norman E. Cooke, Marc Halevy, Martin E. Weber
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Patent number: 5106484Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for treating hydrotreated naphtha which involves treating the naphtha over massive nickel catalyst followed by treating the naphtha over a metal oxide under conditions effective for removing impurities from said naphtha to result in substantially purified naphtha, wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group of metal oxides having a free energy of formation of sulfide which exceeds said free energy of formation of platinum sulfide, such as manganous oxide. In so doing, naphtha in the gas phase in the presence of hydrogen is passed over the manganous oxide at a temperature within the range of about 800.degree. F. and 1100.degree. F., a hydrogen to oil molar ratio between about 1:1 and 6:1, a whsv between about 2 and 8, and pressure between about 50 and 300 psig; and the naphtha in the liquid phase at a temperature between about 300.degree. F. and about 350.degree. F., and whsv less than about 5 is passed over the massive nickel.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Murray Nadler, John F. Walsh, David S. Brown
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Patent number: 5096567Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons in an emulsion through dense phase processing. The process involves subjecting a feed of oil in an immiscible solvent emulsion to supercritical conditions to facilitate separation of the heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons with greater value and more uses.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1989Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Paspek, Jr., Jeffrey B. Hauser, David J. H. Smith
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Patent number: 5066386Abstract: The present invention provides a facile method of oil removal from an oil-water emulsion containing suspended solid particulates. In general, the method utilizes a volatile solvent which is liquefied under pressure and forms a two-phase system when in contact with the emulsion.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Paspek, Christopher P. Eppig