With Solvent Rehabilitation Patents (Class 208/321)
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Patent number: 5188709Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for preparing and treating a heavy oil extraction solvent. A solvent fraction is separated from a crude oil and combined with a slip stream of rerun solvent taken from an extraction process solvent recycle system. The solvent fraction and rerun solvent are fractionated to provide a purified extraction solvent. The purified extraction solvent is then utilized in the heavy oil extraction process.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1990Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Richard D. Kuerston, Ronald E. Brown
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Patent number: 5176821Abstract: In a combined solvent extraction/steam distillation process for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixture of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons, there are three major thermal and material cycles: the solvent cycle, the hydrocarbon cycle, and the water cycle. The process is improved by redistributing the energy use between the three cycles to minimize the internal recycle within the process and to reduce the overall energy requirements. One means of the redistribution includes cooling of a lean solvent stream with liquid in a recovery or stripping column. Cooling of the lean solvent reduces flashing within an extract column and the resulting reflux of hydrocarbons to the extract column.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: UOPInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 5139651Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract. Low temperature extraction followed by subsequent heating of the rich solvent stream results in improved solvent selectivity, reduced solvent to feed ratios, improved thermal stability and energy savings.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1991Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: UOPInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 5073669Abstract: Methods are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from the extract phase of aromatic-selective solvent extraction processes which involve withdrawing a vapor side-cut fraction containing aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents from a stripping zone and passing the side-cut fraction to a rectification zone which can be refluxed with aromatic hydrocarbons or aqueous condensate.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1989Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Assignee: UOPInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 5022981Abstract: Processes are provided for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons from feeds comprising mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons using a mixed aromatic extraction solvent at extraction temperature of less than 250.degree. F. The mixed extraction solvent is comprised of a solvent component containing low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols and a cosolvent component containing glycol ethers. Extractive distillation and steam distillation operations are employed to separate the hydrocarbon components from the rich solvent extract.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1989Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: UOPInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 5008004Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the recovery of aromatic extraction solvent from the raffinate phase of aromatic extraction processes. The raffinate phase is washed with water that is obtained in part by condensing a portion of the steam generated for stripping aromatics from the extract phase. The remaining portion of the raffinate wash water is provided by steam from a steam generation zone. The processes are especially useful when the feed contains relatively large amounts of non-aromatics and therefore produces a large raffinate stream. Disclosed solvents include sulfolane-type solvents, polyalkylene glycols, glycol ethers and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1989Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Assignee: UOPInventors: William H. Maier, Martin F. Bentham
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Patent number: 5006222Abstract: An improvement has been discovered in a process for solvent dewaxing a hydrocarbon lubricating oil stock. Solvent dewaxed oils are steam stripped and then vacuum dehydrated at 2.5 psia at the steam stripping temperature of 350.degree. F. to 450.degree. F. Nitrogen or natural gas having a dew point of -100.degree. F. or lower is contacted with the oil at 0.5 to 1 SCF/bbl. A solvent free lubricating oil is produced which is water haze free in cold storage.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1990Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Avilino Sequeira, Jr.
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Patent number: 4997547Abstract: In the method for the production of an aromate concentrate suitable for use as blending component for gasifier fuel, feed hydrocarbon mixtures having boiling ranges substantially between 40.degree. and 170.degree. C., are subjected, without any previous separation into individual fractions, to an extractive distillation employing N-substituted morpholine, substituents of which display no more than seven C-atoms, as selective solvent. Herewith, the lower boiling non-aromates with a boiling range up to about 105.degree. C., practically completely, and most of the higher boiling non-aromates with a boiling range between about 105.degree. and 160.degree. C., are recovered as raffinate, whereas the aromates, which are to be employed in whole or in part as blending component, come down in the extract of the extractive distillation.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: March 5, 1991Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbHInventors: Gerd Emmrich, Bernhard Firnhaber, Martin Schulze
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Patent number: 4992162Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing and treating a heavy oil extraction solvent. A solvent fraction is separated from a crude oil and combined with a slip stream of rerun solvent taken from an extraction process solvent recycle system. The solvent fraction and rerun solvent are fractionated to provide a purified extraction solvent. The purified extraction solvent is then utilized in the heavy oil extraction process.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1990Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Richard D. Kuerston, Ronald E. Brown
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Patent number: 4985139Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds from a petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof which comprises treating, the petroleum crude oil in a distillation zone to form a distillation bottoms stream which is rich in basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. This stream is passed without cooling or heat removal to a two-phase extraction zone with an extractant consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a lower carboxylic acid and preferably having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms. The extractant complexes the basic heterocyclic nitrogen compound to produce a stream of petroleum crude oil or fraction thereof having a smaller content of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds and a stream comprising the lower carboxylic acid extractant with an increased quantity of basic heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Both of these streams are passed to distillation without heating.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1988Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Ajay M. Madgavkar
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Patent number: 4897182Abstract: An improved process for the extraction of aromatics from a mixed feed provides additional flexibility of operation which is especially useful when the feed contains relatively large amounts of nonaromatics and therefore produces a large raffinate stream. Water for washing the non-aromatic raffinate is obtained in part by condensing a portion of the steam generated for stripping aromatics from the extract.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1988Date of Patent: January 30, 1990Assignee: UOPInventors: William H. Maier, Martin F. Bentham
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Patent number: 4874523Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the cloud point of materials comprising the steps of chilling the waxy oil so as to achieve submicron crystallization followed by ultrafiltration thereby effecting separation of a permeate of reduced cloud point from a retentate. Chilling to produce submicron crystallization is to a temperature about 3.degree. C. or less above the cloud point of the material, preferably from 0.5.degree. to 2.degree. C. above the cloud point of the material, most preferably between 1.degree. to 2.degree. C. above the cloud point of the material. In general any mixture, solution or melt containing components which crystallize at different temperatures can be separated by this procedure. The method is especially useful for reducing the cloud point of waxy hydrocarbon oils.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1988Date of Patent: October 17, 1989Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: Lucie Y. LaFreniere
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Patent number: 4869809Abstract: A process for separation of aromatic and nonaromatic hydrocarbons by solvent extraction is improved by incorporating control methods which optimize utility costs while maintaining desired product purities.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1988Date of Patent: September 26, 1989Assignee: UOPInventor: Michael E. Sarna
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Patent number: 4863587Abstract: A phenolic polymerization inhibitor is recovered from a styrene distillation residue containing the phenolic polymerization inhibitor by a method which comprises extracting the inhibitor from the styrene distillation residue with an oxygen-containing organic solvent having not more than 6 carbon atoms, adding an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent to the oxygen-containing organic solvent phase consequently obtained, and subjecting the resultant mixture to distillation thereby separating the mixture into a solution of the phenolic polymerization inhibitor in the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and the oxygen-containing organic solvent. The recovered solution is put to use as a polymerization inhibitor either in the unmodified form or in a form separated from the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1988Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignee: Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Tonari, Yasuhiko Ikeda
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Patent number: 4830711Abstract: A method of and system for recovering a solvent from a mixture of solvent and hydrocarbons, the system comprising at least two evaporation flasks successively fed with a charge consisting of said mixture to be separated, at least one steam generator performing the condensation of the solvent, a circuit for conveying the evaporated solvent and connecting the flasks to the generator and a circuit of an intermediate fluid in gaseous phase including a compressor for raising the condensation temperature of this fluid, the latter circuit connecting the generator to heat exchangers arranged upstream of each flask.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1987Date of Patent: May 16, 1989Assignee: Compagnie Francaise d'Etudes et de Construction "Technip"Inventors: Patricia Delbourgo, Michel Coupard, Jean-Jacques Delorme
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Patent number: 4810366Abstract: Process for separating a fluid feed mixture containing hydrocarbon oil and an organic solvent (e.g. obtained from a furfural extraction unit) by contacting said fluid feed mixture at elevated pressure with one side of a hydrocarbon oil-selective membrane containing a layer of a silicone polymer which is substantially impermeable to said organic solvent and recovering hydrocarbon oil permeate from the other side of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1987Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Johan G. A. Bitter, Johannes P. Haan
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Patent number: 4795551Abstract: In the solvent refining of a residual oil, a mixture of refined oil and refining solvent, and a mixture of pitch impurities and refining solvent are introduced into separate zones of a combination tower operated at a pressure of no greater than 100 psig to recover refining solvent from each of the mixtures. The combination tower is preferably A modified crude distillation tower from a preexisting crude unit, whereby idle crude units may be converted to solvent refining.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1985Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: Lummus Crest, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Hamilton, Andrei Rhoe, Donald P. Satchell
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Patent number: 4781820Abstract: This invention relates to an improved more energy efficient process for the separation of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixed carbon feed which comprises the following steps:(a) contacting said feed in an extraction zone with an extraction solvent to provide an aromatic-rich solvent phase and a raffinate phase;(b) cooling said aromatic-rich solvent and raffinate phases;(c) introducing said cooled aromatic-rich solvent phase to a separation zone containing aromatic hydrocarbons and a solvent-rich phase containing mixed extraction solvent and water;(d) introducing said cooled raffinate phase to a separation zone in the presence of water as based on the total weight of water and the raffinate phase to provide a raffinate phase containing non-aromatic hydrocarbons and a solvent/water phase;(e) adjusting the water present in the solvent-rich phase of step (c) and the solvent/water phase of step (d);(f) recycling at least or portion the phases in step (e) to step (a);(g) separately contacting the raType: GrantFiled: July 9, 1986Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 4764256Abstract: A method is provided for continuous removal of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCB) from oil contaminated therewith, comprising the steps of continuously extracting PCB compounds from contaminated oil with a PCB-selective solvent in the stripping section of a multistage extraction zone, partially distilling the extract from the extraction zone in a distillation zone, cooling and separating the bottom residue into a solvent phase and an oil/PCB phase, continuously recycling a major portion of the oil/PCB phase as extract reflux to the enriching section of the extraction zone where PCB compounds are extracted from the recycled portion by the solvent phase produced in the stripping section of the extraction zone to increase the PCB content of the extract, and withdrawing a minor portion of the oil/PCB phase from the separation step as a disposable PCB residue.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1987Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventor: Peter F. Way
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Patent number: 4761222Abstract: A mixture of normally liquid organic compounds, particularly a light cycle oil obtained by the catalytic cracking of petroleum oils, is separated by contacting the mixture with an essentially anhydrous organic sulfoxide, particularly dimethylsulfoxide, to dissolve an organic extract in said sulfoxide and form an extract phase, comprising sulfoxide and the organic extract, and a raffinate phase, comprising the organic raffinate; diluting the extract phase with about 4.0 to 10.0 wt.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1987Date of Patent: August 2, 1988Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Cecil O. Carter, Daniel M. Coombs
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Patent number: 4755278Abstract: This process for fractionating solid asphalts is operable under low temperature and pressure conditions.The process consists of treating a suspension of asphalt powder in a surfactant-containing aqueous phase by means of a hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with water and of separating:an hydrocarbon phase containing asphalt of softening point lower than that of the initial asphalt, andan aqueous phase wherein is suspended asphalt of softening point higher than that of the initial asphalt.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1987Date of Patent: July 5, 1988Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventor: Pierre Baumgartner
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Patent number: 4748288Abstract: The invention is a process for the separation of solvents from hydrocarbons dissolved in the solvents which comprises contacting at elevated pressure a feed solution comprising hydrocarbons dissolved in an aromatic solvent and a polar aliphatic solvent with one side of a dense membrane which is substantially impermeable to the hydrocarbons, and which membrane comprises a layer of a halogen-substituted silicon compound, and recovering the solvents from the other side of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1986Date of Patent: May 31, 1988Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Johan G. A. Bitter, Johannes P. Haan, Hendrik C. Rijkens
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Patent number: 4693810Abstract: In a solvent extraction/steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons wherein stripping water is obtained from the distillation column, the improvement comprising(a) dividing the stripping water into two streams;(b) passing one stream to a motive steam generator wherein the stripping water is vaporized and passed to a steam ejector;(c) passing the other stream to a heat exchanger wherein the stripping water is vaporized by lean solvent from the distillation column, the lean solvent is cooled, and the stripping water vapor passes to the steam ejector;(d) passing the stripping water vapor from steps (b) and (c) to the distillation column; and(e) passing the lean solvent from step (c) to the extractor.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1985Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventors: Paulino Forte, Jose A. Vidueira
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Patent number: 4690733Abstract: In a combination solvent extraction-steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons, the improvement comprising(a) introducing high pressure steam into a steam ejector;(b) passing the steam from step (a) to a first heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with cooler lean solvent coming from the bottom of the distillation column and is condensed;(c) returning the lean solvent from step (b) to the bottom of the distillation column;(d) passing part of the condensate from step (b) to a second heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with the warmer lean solvent coming from the bottom of the distillation column, cooling the lean solvent and vaporizing the condensate; and(e) passing the vapor from step (d) to the steam ejector in step (a).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1985Date of Patent: September 1, 1987Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventors: Paulino Forte, Jose A. Vidueira
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Patent number: 4678555Abstract: It has been discovered that cellulose acetate membranes, fabricated using nonaqueous solvent systems, can be used for the separation of polar solvents, especially ketone dewaxing solvents from dewaxed oil. The cellulose acetate membranes so prepared are of a reduced acetyl content and exhibit very good resistance to ketone solvents. The specific fabrication procedure avoids exposing the cellulose acetate to even transient mixtures of ketone and alcohol or ketone and water. Although the cellulose acetate polymer is insoluble in pure water, alcohol, or ketone it is soluble in mixtures of ketone-alcohol and ketone-water.The resulting membrane is an effective means for separating ketone dewaxing solvent from dewaxed oil.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1985Date of Patent: July 7, 1987Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventor: David L. Wernick
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Patent number: 4664783Abstract: A method is disclosed for the separation of aromates from hydrocarbon mixtures employed as entry products, by means of extractive distillation, employing as selective solvent N-substituted morpholine, the substitutions of which display no more than 7 C atoms. The raffinate produced as top product of the extractive distillation is subjected to a distillation, whereby the produced sump product with a solvent content between 20-75% by weight and a temperature between 20.degree.-70.degree. C., is led into a separation container and there separated into a heavy and a light phase. The heavy phase is then recycled into the extractive distillation column, whereas the light phase is recycled into the raffinate distillation column.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1985Date of Patent: May 12, 1987Assignee: Krupp-Koppers GmbHInventors: Gerhard Preusser, Martin Schulze
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Patent number: 4664786Abstract: In a steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons wherein there is (i) a primary flash zone at the top of the distillation zone in which rich solvent is flashed and/or (ii) provision for the removal of side cut distillate vapors from about the middle of the distillation zone, the improvement comprising (a) heat exchanging flashed rich solvent vapors or side-cut distillate vapors with stripping water to provide stripping water vapors and stripping water at at least about the boiling point of water; (b) passing the stripping water vapors from step (a) to a steam ejector; (c) passing the stripping water from step (a) to a motive steam generator wherein the stripping water is vaporized under pressure; (d) passing the stripping water vapors from step (c) to the steam ejector referred to in step (b); and (e) passing the stripping water vapors, introduced into the steam ejector in accordance with steps (b) and (d), to the lower half of the distillation zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1986Date of Patent: May 12, 1987Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventors: Paulino Forte, Jose A. Vidueira
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Patent number: 4594148Abstract: This invention relates to an energy efficient process for the solvent extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon streams containing the same, using as the solvent ethyl acetoacetate. This solvent may be recovered from the aromatics by cooling the aromatic/solvent mixture, whereby separation takes place without distillation.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1985Date of Patent: June 10, 1986Assignee: Sun Refining and Marketing CompanyInventor: Peter Hosler
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Patent number: 4571295Abstract: The separation of aromatic and nonaromatic containing hydrocarbon feeds is provided by use of an extraction-separation process using extraction solvents.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1983Date of Patent: February 18, 1986Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 4569755Abstract: This invention relates to a low energy process for the solvent extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon streams containing the same, using as the solvent N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone together with small amounts of water. This solvent may be recovered from the aromatics by cooling the aromatic/solvent mixture, and adding water, whereby separation takes place without distillation. The solvent may then be separated from the water by heating the solvent/water mixture.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1985Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignee: Sun Refining and Marketing CompanyInventors: Thomas J. McGinley, Peter Hosler
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Patent number: 4554055Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering a solvent from a mixture containing the solvent is disclosed. In certain aspects, a portion of the recovered liquid is recycled and used in the evaporative process, such as for the seal liquid in a liquid ring vacuum pump. In another aspect, the initial separation is achieved in a thin film evaporator operating under partial vacuum from the liquid ring vacuum pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1983Date of Patent: November 19, 1985Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventor: Patrick Rooney
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Patent number: 4545894Abstract: In an aromatic extraction process, the flow rate of aromatics to the extraction column is utilized to control the downstream stripping column so as to maintain a desired purity of the aromatic extract stream withdrawn from the stripping column. Also, the flow rate of solvent to the extraction column is manipulated so as to maintain a desired aromatic concentration in the raffinate stream withdrawn from the extraction column. This control, together with other interactive control functions, results in a control of the aromatic extraction process which substantially maximizes the profitability of the extraction process.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1984Date of Patent: October 8, 1985Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: William S. Stewart, John E. Blaesi
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Patent number: 4532029Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing high quality aromatic solvents in the middle distillate range containing 95.sup.+ % aromatics by contacting the liquid feed with a perm selective membrane under pressure thereby selectively permeating the aromatic components as the high quality solvents. This separation can be performed by contacting the feed stream in combination with a low boiling light polar aromatics extraction solvent (such as acetonitrile) with the membrane. The middle distillate feed has a molecular weight range of about 120 to 250 g/mole and an aromatic content of 75 to 90 volume percent aromatics and preferably 80 to 90 volume percent aromatics. The membranes which can be employed to effect this separation are selected from the group of regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate and polyimide membranes, preferably the polyimide membranes.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1984Date of Patent: July 30, 1985Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Laura E. Black, Peter G. Miasek, Georges Adriaens
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Patent number: 4519901Abstract: An improved extractive separation process is described. This process is directed at splitting the feed and/or recycle stream to the extraction zone, to improve extraction zone performance. A further improvement may be achieved if at least a portion of the recycle stream is added to the extraction zone above the point where all the feed stream is added to the extraction zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1983Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.Inventor: Robert J. Fiocco
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Patent number: 4510047Abstract: Selective extraction solvents such as NMP, phenol or furfural employed for the extraction of specialty oils, i.e. lubricating, transformer and insulating oils, to remove undesirable aromatic components therefrom, is itself recovered from the extract stream and/or raffinate streams by preferential ultrafiltration through selective membranes of regenerated cellulose. The extract stream, because of its higher solvent content, is the preferred stream for solvent recovery treatment by the reverse osmosis membrane permeation technique. Solvent recovery employing membrane permeation exhibits the advantage of not being energy intensive as is distillation or stripping. The solvent is recovered at a high enough flux rate and at a high enough level of purity to be introduced back into the solvent extraction process optionally at some point in the process wherein the composition of the recovered solvent approximately matches the composition of the solvent present in the process at the point of introduction.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1983Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventor: John A. Thompson
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Patent number: 4498980Abstract: The separation of aromatic and nonaromatic containing hydrocarbon feeds is provided by use of an extraction-separation process using mixed extraction solvents.The term "mixed extraction solvent" as used herein shall mean a solvent mixture comprising a "solvent" component and a "cosolvent" component, as hereinafter defined.The "solvents" component employed in the instant process are the low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols of the formula:HO--[CHR.sub.1 --(CR.sub.2 R.sub.3).sub.n --O].sub.m --Hwherein n is an integer from 1 to 5 and is preferably the integer 1 or 2; m is an integer having a value of 1 or greater, preferably between about 2 to about 20 and most preferably between about 3 and about 8; and wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, araalkyl or alkylaryl and are preferably hydrogen and alkyl having between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms and most preferably are hydrogen.The "cosolvent" component employed herein is a glycol ether of the formulaR.sub.4 O--[CHR.sub.5 --(CHR.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1983Date of Patent: February 12, 1985Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventor: Paulino Forte
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Patent number: 4493765Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock may be selectively separated into its various fractions by contact with a mixture of specified polar and nonpolar solvents at a temperature so as to form a two-phase system, separating the first extract and raffinate phases so obtained, cooling the raffinate (nonpolar) phase so that three phases form, and separating the three phases. The three phases obtained consist of the polar solvent containing low molecular weight polars, the nonpolar solvent containing the saturates and aromatics, and an asphaltene-containing phase. The asphaltene-containing phase may be further washed to yield an asphalt with a higher microcarbon residue than the non-washed asphalt.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1983Date of Patent: January 15, 1985Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Robert B. Long, Fred A. Caruso
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Patent number: 4432866Abstract: A method for separating a mixture into a first fraction and a second fraction is disclosed. The method comprises passing the mixture into a decantation zone where the solution is separated into a first fraction relatively rich in a first compound and a second fraction relatively deficient in the first compound. One of the separated fractions subsequently is passed to a membrane separation zone for further purification. The subject invention is of particular utility in petroleum processing, where the solution passed to the decantation zone may be a petroleum processing fraction, such as filtrate from a dewaxing zone or an extract or raffinate from an extraction separation zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1981Date of Patent: February 21, 1984Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: Theodore H. West, John A. Thompson
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Patent number: 4422923Abstract: Recovery of solvent from hydrocarbon oil extract fractions comprising solvent and oil is effected in at least three sequential flash vaporization stages wherein the pressure of the second vaporization stage is at the highest pressure level and the pressure of the third vaporization stage is at a pressure level intermediate the pressure level of the first and second vaporization stages.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1981Date of Patent: December 27, 1983Assignee: Edeleanu Gesellschaft mbHInventors: Gerhard Wirtz, Rainer Maxelon
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Patent number: 4421639Abstract: The invention is an energy-efficient improvement in a continuous deasphalting process in which a mixture of viscous hydrocarbon oils with resins and/or asphaltenes is contacted with a quantity of pure or mixed hydrocarbon solvents including, but not limited to, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, isomers thereof, and unsaturated hydrocarbons of similar molecular weights, in order to separate a primary extract phase comprising high viscosity oil, resins and/or asphaltenes, and solvent. The primary raffinate phase is further contacted with an additional quantity of solvent comprising similar components to those in the primary solvent (but not necessarily identical thereto) to separate a secondary extract phase comprising high viscosity oil and solvent, and a secondary raffinate phase comprising resins and/or asphaltenes and solvent. The contacting step may be repeated as often as desired to make additional extract phases which are recovered separately.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1982Date of Patent: December 20, 1983Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy CorporationInventors: John S. Lambert, Joseph W. Gleitsmann, deceased
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Patent number: 4419227Abstract: A lubricating oil solvent refining process employing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvent in which solvent is recovered from a solvent-oil mixture in a staged series of vaporization zones at progressively increasing pressure with external heat supplied only to the vaporization stage having the highest pressure followed by vacuum flash vaporization and inert gas stripping of further portions of the solvent from the extract wherein the partially denuded extract from the vacuum flash vaporization stage is heated in the presence of inert gas prior to introduction into the inert gas stripping zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1982Date of Patent: December 6, 1983Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Philip B. Sherman
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Patent number: 4401560Abstract: An improvement to a continuous solvent extraction-steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons in the range of C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 from a feed stream containing such aromatics and aliphatic hydrocarbons in the range of C.sub.5 -C.sub.16 which resides in utilizing two heat exchangers wherein the heat of condensation of the overhead stripper vapor and vapor sidedraw products is recovered and utilized to vaporize the stripping water, thereby producing stripping steam which in turn is compressed up to the pressure present at the bottom of the stripper and resulting in the reduction of the heat load of the process.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1982Date of Patent: August 30, 1983Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventors: Jose A. Vidueira, Paulino Forte, Kenneth F. Butwell
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Patent number: 4390418Abstract: A lubricating oil solvent refining process employing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvent in which solvent is recovered from a solvent-oil mixture in a staged series of vaporization zones at progressively increasing pressure with external heat supplied only to the vaporization stage having the highest pressure and control of vaporization in the lower pressure stages is effected by passing a minor portion of the vapors from the highest pressure stage to the lowest pressure stage. A high temperature vacuum flash vaporization zone may follow the high pressure vaporization stage with external heat supplied to the vacuum flash vaporization zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1982Date of Patent: June 28, 1983Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Philip B. Sherman
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Patent number: 4385196Abstract: A solvent system composed essentially of sulfolane and a ketone, e.g., sulfolane and methyl ethyl ketone is employed in a liquid-liquid extraction operation to separate a low boiling olefin, e.g., pentene-2, hexene-1, octene-1, etc., from a corresponding close boiling paraffin, e.g., n-pentane, n-hexane, and n-octane, respectively, and wherein solvent is recovered by employing a portion thereof in a drying or stripping column.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1981Date of Patent: May 24, 1983Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventor: Cecil O. Carter
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Patent number: 4375387Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1981Date of Patent: March 1, 1983Assignee: Critical Fluid Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard P. deFilippi, J. Edward Vivian
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Patent number: 4368112Abstract: A warm-up deoiling process for lube oil slack wax wherein cold slack wax from a solvent dewaxing operation is warmed up and mixed with solvent to dissolve foots oil contained therein and passed to a rotary drum filter to recover solid wax and a filtrate comprising a solution of foots oil and solvent wherein said filtrate is contacted with one side of a semi-permeable membrane made from regenerated cellulose which selectivity permeates at least a portion of solvent through said membrane and recycling the permeated solvent directly back into the warm-up deoiling operation as part of the solvent mixed with the slack wax.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1981Date of Patent: January 11, 1983Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: John A. Thompson, David H. Shaw, David A. Gudelis
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Patent number: 4353794Abstract: A process for the solvent extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixture thereof with non-aromatic hydrocarbons, and for the recovery of a non-aromatic fraction substantially free of aromatic hydrocarbons, is disclosed. Said mixture is treated with an aromatic-selective solvent in a first extraction zone to provide an aromatic-rich solvent stream and a non-aromatic raffinate stream. The rich solvent stream is treated in a first solvent recovery zone to provide a high purity aromatic stream and a lean solvent stream. One portion of the lean solvent stream is recycled to the first extraction zone, and residual aromatic hydrocarbons are stripped from the remaining portion. This aromatics-free solvent is then utilized to extract residual aromatics from a fraction of the non-aromatic raffinate to provide a high purity paraffin stream.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1980Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Assignee: UOP Inc.Inventors: George R. Winter, III, William H. Maier, K. N. Srinivas Prabhu
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Patent number: 4315815Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine particle size bituminous material in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, fine particle size bituminous material and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a steam stripper through an inlet horn that imparts a centrifugal motion to the stream. The inlet horn contains a plurality of corrugated vanes which utilize the centrifugal motion to create turbulence in the stream within the inlet horn.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1981Date of Patent: February 16, 1982Assignee: Kerr-McGee Refining CorporationInventor: Junior A. Gearhart
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Patent number: 4279739Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. The fluid-like phase of bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure and introduced into a steam stripper. The solvent vaporizes upon pressure reduction and a mist of fine bituminous material particles forms and becomes dispersed in the vaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent and associated mist is separated from the bituminous material in the stripper and is withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a condenser. The solvent and steam from the stripper condense, a substantial portion of the mist of entrained particles solidifies and an emulsion of water and fluid-like bituminous material from the mist forms. The liquid stream is withdrawn from the condenser and introduced into a separator.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1980Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: Kerr-McGee Refining CorporationInventor: Jack W. Roach
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Patent number: 4278529Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction without carry-over of bituminous material. The fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve and introduced into a steam stripper. The pressure reduction vaporizes part of the solvent and also disperses a mist of fine bituminous particles in the solvent. The solvent and mist are withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a separation zone wherein they are caused to flow countercurrently to another stream of fluid-like bituminous material. The fluid-like bituminous material contacts the solvent and scrubs the fine bituminous material particles therefrom. The solvent is withdrawn and recovered. The fluid-like stream containing the bituminous particles can be recycled until the concentration is such that additional particles are not separated from the solvent after which a portion is bled off and fresh fluid-like material is added.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1980Date of Patent: July 14, 1981Assignee: Kerr-McGee Refining CorporationInventor: Junior A. Gearhart