Abstract: Emulsions of oil and water are broken by contacting the emulsions with a quaternized polyalkylene polyamine, e.g., the adduct of 2-hydroxy-3-chloropropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and a polyethylene polyamine.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polymers of diquaternary ammonium monomers containing hydroxyl groups. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyureas of average molecular weight greater than about 5,000 prepared by the reaction between a polyisocyanate and a polyoxyalkylenediamine. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are branched water-soluble quaternary ammonium-containing polymers. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing oil recovery from an oily sludge containing a solid phase, an oil phase and a water phase by adding a positively charged latex flocculant to such sludge and immediately thereafter adding a chemical emulsion breaker which is negatively charged or nonionic, while controlling the proportions of said flocculant and said emulsion breaker to cause the entrapped oil phase to detach from the floc surface of the adsorptive solids and go into the water phase, and mechanically separating the oil from the solids and water.

Abstract: A filter device suitable for filtering sludges which comprises (A) a tube-like filter as an outer wall consisting of a fabric of polyester or polyamide filament yarn which acts as a support for (B) an inner layer consisting of a non-woven fabric of man-made fibres and a process of dewatering industrial sludge.

Abstract: This invention relates to N,N-diallyl-3-hydroxy azetidinium salts, homo- and co-polymers thereof; and the preparation thereof. This invention also relates to the use of the above polymers as demulsifiers.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are cationic polymers of equal to or greater than about 2,000 molecular weight obtained by the reaction of polyalkoxydiamines with epihalohydrins. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are combinations of chemical agents comprising(a) poly(amidoamine) or poly(ester-amine) salts, and(b) polycarbonates.To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering volatile organic paint carrier from paint spray booths of the type comprising a chamber, a duct system for passing air down through such chamber to remove volatile organic paint carrier and over-sprayed paint particles, a sump containing a circulating hydrophilic liquid located at the bottom of the chamber adapted to remove volatile organic paint carrier and paint particles from the air containing them, the improvement which comprises using as the hydrophilic liquid an oil-in-water emulsion which has the following composition:(a) 1-50% by weight of an organic liquid having a boiling point of at least 150.degree.C.;(b) 0.1-30% by weight of the organic liquid of a sulfonate-free oil-in-water emulsifier;(c) balance, water,said emulsion having a pH within the range of 7.5-12.0 and being further characterized as being rapidly broken when the pH is reduced below 6.5.

Abstract: A process useful for breaking oil in water emulsions produced as the result of a surfactant flood oil recovery project is disclosed. The produced oil in water emulsion, stabilized with surfactants, content is treated with brine and a polyol or quaternary ammonium compound, or both, followed by mixing and settling to form a sprung oil phase and a brine phase.

Abstract: For separating an emulsion comprising substantially a heavier and a lighter liquid there is used a plurality of superimposed, liquid-filled, shallow separation chambers which have a lower outlet for separated heavier liquid, an upper outlet for separated lighter liquid, and an emulsion-inlet remote from the outlets. The separation chambers are maintained under an overpressure by causing the heavier and the lighter liquid, separated in the chambers by self-separation under the action of gravity, to pass from the chambers via a respective one of two pressure-holding vessels containing a respective heavier or lighter liquid. The emulsion is fed batchwise into at least one separation chamber at a time, at a temperature greater than the temperature of the liquid already present in the chamber, and in a volumetric amount which is less than the volume of the chamber.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from a mixture of oil and water by heating the mixture, adding a de-emulsifier, passing the mixture through a first vibrating screen, adding a surface tension reducer, processing through a hydrocyclone, passing through a second vibrating screen, and separating the oil from water by settling.

Abstract: Fuel oil containing sodium salt, potassium salt and solid matters is purified by separating the fuel oil into fuel oil and sludges by a centrifugal separating means, thereby removing the sludges from the fuel oil, and mixing the fuel oil freed from the sludges with water, and separating the resulting liquid mixture into fuel oil and water. Removal of the salts and the solid matters from the fuel oil can be attained at the same time very effectively with a reduced frequency of cleaning a filter or by omitting the use of the filter, with or without using an emulsion breaker.

Abstract: Heavy crude oils are transported by pipeline from deposit location to a remote upgrading location by emulsifying the crude oil using deaerated sodium hydroxide solution, conveying the oil-in-water emulsion through the pipeline, and recovery of the oil from the oil-in-water emulsion by inverting the emulsion and dewatering the resulting water-in-oil emulsion. The emulsion inversion may be effected using slaked lime, resulting in recovery of a substantial proportion of the sodium hydroxide used in the initial emulsification. The sodium hydroxide solution may be recycled by a separate pipeline for reuse or treated for discharge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of an emulsion of at least one dispersed phase emulsified in at least one continuous phase of different density wherein the emulsion is passed into a vessel and axially through a fixed coalescing bed for coalescing the dispersed phase, and continuing the flow over a guide wettable by the dispersed phase whereby the coalesced dispersed phase travels along the guide axially to establish a layer of the coalesced dispersed phase and the continuous phase passes substantially radially outwardly through the guide to establish a layer of the continuous phase, the interface of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase being maintained at approximately the midpoint of the guide.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration membrane comprised of a linear polyurethane having a hydraulic permeability for water of about 50 to 500 1/m.sup.2 .multidot. h and a separation factor .alpha. of about 2.times.10.sup.-3 to 1.times.10.sup.-4, the permeability being based on determination with a membrane of a thickness of about 0.02 mm, a pressure differential of 1 bar and a temperature of 20.degree. C. and the separation factor .alpha. being established with a 2% oil-water emulsion at 25.degree. C. The membrane is particularly suited for operation of oil-water mixtures or emulsions.

Abstract: It is proposed to demulsify and convert emulsions of oils, greases, and fats in that these emulsions are processed together with digested sludge or sludge liquor from a biological sewage treatment plant. The emulsions of oils, greases, or fats are fed after a first digesting step and preferably to a separate container. In that second digesting step, the bacteria growing under anaerobic conditions can convert much larger quantities of emulsions and the emulsions can be converted within a shorter time.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising polyepoxide condensates of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts and polyether polyols comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of said polyepoxide condensate; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of an acylated polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of a polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyols of 2 and greater functionality containing predominantly mixed ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol (by weight) is greater than about 70% but less than about 95%. The molecular weight of these polyols is greater than about 10,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyols of 4 and greater functionality containing discrete blocks of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol is greater than about 50% but less than about 95%. The molecular weight of these polyols is greater than about 12,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are hydrophilic polyurethanes wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol portion of the polyurethane is greater than about 70% by weight. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A demulsifier and method for use in oil-spill recovery and clean-up that rapidly and efficiently separates a water/crude oil emulsion into its water and crude oil phases. The demulsifier comprises various mixtures of two components A and B. A is comprised of at least one wetting agent formulated to displace one liquid from the surface of a bi-wetted solid disposed at a boundary of a water droplet and oil phase continuum with another liquid via a reduction of the liquid-solid interfacial tension; and B is comprised of at least one surfactant effective in displacing an indigenous emulsifying surfactant film by another surfactant that permits water droplet coalescence and separation from said oil phase continuum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating oil from water in a mixture containing oil and water, as well as to means for performing the separation process. Specifically, the process involves:(a) feeding said mixture to a heated hold-up tank via an inlet located at a lower level of said tank, said tank having a residence time sufficient to permit separation of oil and water and formation of a water-in-oil emulsion which rises to float atop of said water, said tank being heated to a temperature within the range of about 160.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F.

Abstract: The process for separating sulfuric acid from the sulfoxidation output obtained when paraffins are reacted with sulfuric acid, oxygen and water in the presence of ultraviolet light, using an alcohol containing at least 5 C atoms, is improved by treating the sulfoxidation output with a 0.25 to 2.5 fold amount by weight of a mixture of(a) 40 to 95% by weight of alcohol, and(b) 5 to 60% by weight of paraffins and the aqueous phase formed thereby is separated with the sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Oily waste emulsions which cause low turbidity in industrial waste water effluents are successfully treated with cross-linked cationic polymeric compounds synthesized by reacting phenol, substituted phenol, formaldehyde and various low molecular weight polyamines having a preferred molecular weight of at least 1500 and not exceeding a molecular weight of about 30,000. The polyamines are derived from a base catalyzed polymerization of ammonia and ethylene dichloride or by the oligomerization of ethyleneimine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of breaking petroleum emulsions by utilization of a micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent, comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: A method for removing oil-based materials floating on the surface of ballast water contained in the ballast tank of a cargo carrier having vertical steel surfaces is provided comprising adding to said surface a spreading agent having a spreading force greater than said oil-based material in an amount sufficient to force substantially all of said material against said surfaces; and discharging said ballast water from said tank at a point below the surface of said water, said oil-based material being forced to deposit on said steel surfaces vacated by said discharged water.

Abstract: A liquid membrane technique is disclosed for recovery of dissolved species from aqueous solutions thereof in which, by appropriate tailoring of the emulsion, electrostatic precipitation can be used successfully in the recovery of the species from the interior phase of the emulsion. The emulsion is so prepared that the droplet size of the interior phase of the emulsion is in the range of from about 0.3 micrometers to about 10 micrometers, with the majority of the droplets lying in the range of from about 0.8 micrometers to about 3 micrometers. The electrostatic field is preferably at least 1 kilovolt per centimeter up to 7.5 kilovolts per centimeter or more.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and surface active agents is broken by adding additional surface active agents, preferably relatively high equivalent weight petroleum sulfonates, to the emulsion and then subjecting the emulsion to conventional emulsion breaking techniques.

Abstract: Oil and water mixtures are separated in a gas flotation separator by passing the mixture downward in a vertically elongated portion, and then upward in a vertically elongated portion. A gas such as air is injected near the lower end of the upward flow leg of the separator. The gas is injected at a sufficient hydrostatic pressure to effect dissolving of a substantial portion of the gas in the liquid. The upflow leg has a chamber for oil flotation. Oil removal as well as water removal from respective layers is provided. The separation of oil and water is enhanced by both upwardly bubbling gas and exsolving gas.

Abstract: A cell for coalescing oil droplets dispersed in a water emulsion including an elongated perforated tube core into which the emulsion is injected, layers of oleophilic plastic covered metal mat wound about the core through which the emulsion is forced to pass, the fibers of the metal mat being covered by oleophilic plastic such as vinyl, acrylic, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, the metal being in the form of layers of expanded metal or metal fibers, either aluminum or stainless steel. In manufacturing the cell a helix wound wire is formed around the cylindrical plastic coated metal to retain it in place and resist pressure drop of fluid flowing through the metal fibers. In addition, the preferred arrangement includes the use of an outer sleeve formed of a mat of fibrous material such as polyester fibers, acrylic fibers, modacrylic fibers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid processing apparatus and method wherein a plurality of alternating, permanently magnetic cathode plates and anode plates having applied thereto frequency controlled, square wave pulses superimposed over a constant base voltage so as to create an electric field which is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field of the cathode plates. An alternative embodiment includes a centrally disposed electromagnet for creating a second magnetic field. A downstream water coalescer and molecular sieve are optionally employed depending upon the intended use of the apparatus and method.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion is separated to float the oil by adding to the emulsion a cationic polyacrylamide.

Abstract: A method of removing specific water-soluble anionic surfactants from water is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises forming an emulsion by adding a nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon to the water and anionic surfactant. The emulsion is broken, with the anionic and nonionic surfactant being present in the hydrocarbon layer.

Abstract: An admixture of waste (oil-well) drill cuttings, drilling fluid and by-products of rotary drilling are separated into good-quality water and high-density solids by chemical and mechanical means in original earthen-mud storage and/or reserve pits. The treatment produces two useful benefits: (1) good-quality water (useful for agriculture or for drilling a new well) is recovered, and (2) resulting concentrated solids are of such a high density that the land area occupied by and containing such dewatered solids can be immediately leveled and restored to the same use it had before the well was drilled. The effect is a reduction in energy of at least 75 to 85 percent over the present method of hauling whole mud off by trucks to a commercial waste-disposal site.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating liquor (e.g., liquor produced by sewage disposal systems) that is contaminated with dissolved, colloidal and finely divided suspended solids, and also with bacteria and viruses. The apparatus maintains a vertical column of the liquor in a treatment tank. Liquor is continuously introduced into the lower portion of the tank and continuously removed at a level well below the top of the tank. The column is continuously sparged with gas containing ozone whereby gas bubbles progress upwardly to the surface with formation of foam that is received in a confined space above the column. The evolving foam is delivered into the zone of operation of an impeller which collapses the foam bubbles by mechanical shearing and impacting. Liquor derived from the collapsed foam and the evolved gas is collected and discharged. Remaining uncollapsed foam is recycled into the shearing zone.

Abstract: Organic and aqueous phases are separated from solvent extraction emulsions by treatment of the emulsions with diatomaceous earth at elevated temperature, whereby the emulsion-forming matter is sorbed by the diatomaceous earth.