Including Emulsion Breaking Patents (Class 210/708)
  • Patent number: 7780854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Galip Akay, John Vickers
  • Publication number: 20100209194
    Abstract: A system for soil, groundwater, or surface water remediation, comprises a water supply including a first fluid stream in fluid communication with a first injection point, and a second fluid stream in fluid communication with a second injection point. A first surfactant pump can be adapted to inject a surfactant into the first fluid stream, and a second surfactant pump can be adapted to inject a surfactant into the second fluid stream. A first oxidant pump can be adapted to inject an oxidant into the first fluid stream, and a second oxidant pump can be adapted to inject an oxidant into the second fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: VeruTEK Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Guite, George E. Hoag, Ralph W. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100200512
    Abstract: An immiscible lipophilic or hydrophilic liquid phase separated respectively from a continuous hydrophilic phase or a lipophilic phase liquid. Fibers having hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties are mixed, layered, etc., and formed into a filter. The separation mechanism involves capture of small droplets of the immiscible phase, coalescence of the small droplets into larger droplets as the immiscible liquid flows through the fiber filter, and release of the large immiscible droplets from the filter. With respect to separation of a hydrophilic immiscible fluid such as water in a lipophilic continuous fluid such as oil, the hydrophobic fibers will cause small water droplets to migrate towards the hydrophilic fibers whereby large droplets are formed on hydrophilic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: George Chase, Prashant Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7771588
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of a class of acetylenic surfactants to resolve or break water and oil emulsions. The surfactants are of particular advantage in resolving crude oil emulsions of the type encountered in desalter and similar apparatus designed to extract brines from the crude as they partition to the aqueous phase in the desalter. Also, the surfactants may be used to separate oil from oil sands and similar oil/solids matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Birenbaum Engel, Alan E. Goliaszewski, Cato R. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20100180768
    Abstract: A separator tank (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical vertical tank, a tangentially arranged inlet (3) in an upper part (9) of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) for oil and gas in the upper part of the tank, and at least one second outlet (5) for water in a lower part of the tank. A vortex zone (7) comprises a downward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (8) with an opening (11) at the lower end to allow communication between the upper and lower part of the tank. A helical spiralling vane is disposed on the upward directed part of said conical frusta shaped wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jorn Folkvang
  • Publication number: 20100176063
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids effectively are provided in the present invention. Such method and apparatus may allow coalescing of relatively small-sized droplets into larger droplets for easing and improving the degree of separation thereafter. The method may be defined by a system of equations describing the requirements and conditions imposed on the kinetics of droplet breaking and coalescence as functions of properties of the involved liquids, involved energy, and means for inducing mixing energy into the mixture. According to the method, such means may include viscosity, interfacial tension, droplet diameter distribution, average droplet diameter, average volumetric droplet diameter, concentration of the dispersed liquid in the coalescing apparatus, restricting pressure of the electrostatic double layer surrounding the interfacial boundary of the droplets, and turbulent energy dissipation distribution per volume within the coalescing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Yuri KOKOTOV, Leonid BRAGINSKY, David SHTEINMAN, Shalom SLONIM
  • Publication number: 20100163486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a coagulant product. It is characterized in that a starting material is prepared containing sludge resulting from the treatment of drinking water and an ore containing iron and/or aluminum, said starting material undergoing acid attack to form iron salts, aluminum salts or a mixture thereof. Application of said coagulant during implementation of a physico-chemical step of the treatment of waste water and/or industrial water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: VELOLIA EAU-COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES EAUX
    Inventors: Hervé Suty, Marc Caligaris
  • Patent number: 7745501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating emulsions of oil and water, the method comprising incorporating a demulsifying-effective amount of a silicone demulsifier into an emulsion comprising an oil phase and an aqueous phase, the silicone demulsifier having a molecular structure comprising a polysiloxane backbone of at least two siloxane units covalently bound to (i) one or more alkylene oxide groups comprising one or more alkylene oxide units independently having one to five carbon atoms, and (ii) one or more oxirane-containing and/or oxetane-containing groups, wherein said oxirane or oxetane is optionally ring-opened by reaction with a chemical or group capable of ring-opening an oxirane or oxetane ring, respectively, and wherein a solid filler is substantially excluded from the silicone demulsifier and emulsion. The invention also relates to compositions containing the above-described demulsifier and the water and oil phases of an emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Kalman Koczo, Sabine Isabelle Azouani, Benjamin Falk
  • Publication number: 20100154727
    Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, a fluid storage device for storing a first fluid in a second fluid storage container fillable with a second fluid includes a first fluid storage container, a first fluid inlet coupled to the first fluid storage container, and a first fluid outlet coupled to the first fluid storage container. The first fluid storage container is flexible. The first fluid inlet is communicable in fluid receiving communication with a first fluid source. The first fluid in the first fluid storage container is caused to drain from the first fluid outlet based on at least one of a first fluid level, a first fluid storage container pressure, a second fluid storage container pressure, the second fluid storage container filling with the second fluid, the first fluid outlet being opened for first fluid egress, and a first fluid outlet pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Malgorn, Arnaud Le Ven, Emmanuel Page, Jean-Yves Picard, J. Bruce Schelkopf, Barry Verdegan
  • Patent number: 7736518
    Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat and facilitation the separation of mixtures and emulsions of oil and water. Waste heat from the power source for the cavitation device may be utilized to elevate the temperature of incoming mixtures or emulsions. The heated mixture of emulsion is sent to a separation vessel where vapor may be removed and/or recovered, and where oil is removed as it separates into an identifiable layer. The separation vessel may be a flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Total Separation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Robert L. Sloan, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100126936
    Abstract: A method is provided of recycling and cleaning up oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes removing the coarse solids from the mud, breaking the emulsion, separating the hydrophobic phase from the water phase and the solid phase, vaporizing all residual oil and water from the solids, and burning off the vaporized oil. The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination, an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Arkansas Reclamation Co., LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Jones, Charles Richesin, Richard Davis
  • Patent number: 7678201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical composition and a process for using the chemical composition to remove and recover petroleum hydrocarbons from a contaminated substrate including an ammonia compound; a nitrogen-containing compound; and an aqueous carrier solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Coriba Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Harvey G. Cobb
  • Patent number: 7678280
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus and method for recycling an invert emulsion based drilling fluid, in which the invert emulsion based drilling fluid includes an oleaginous component and an aqueous component. The apparatus includes an emulsion breaking tank, a water treatment tank, a filter press, and hydrocarbon filters. The method includes: mixing said invert emulsion drilling fluid with a emulsion breaker, wherein the emulsion breaker is a mixture of an alkyl glucoside and an alkane sulfonate; and separating the oleaginous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid from the aqueous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid. The method preferably utilizes an emulsion breaker that is a combination of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank Manfred Franz Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100059451
    Abstract: A modular apparatus having certain processing equipment mounted on portable skids that are adaptable and versatile to permit customized arrangement for oil-recovery processing of a wide range of oil-base sludge compositions in a cost-efficient manner. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a modular apparatus optimally configured for oil recovery of sludge having a high concentration of low density solids, wherein the apparatus may include a pumping skid, a shaker skid, a heating skid, a chemical skid, a phase separator skid, a gas purification skid, a decanter skid, and an oil purification skid. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a modular apparatus optimally configured for oil recovery of sludge having a high concentration of high density solids, wherein the apparatus may include a pumping skid, a shaker skid, a heating skid, a first chemical skid, a decanter skid, a second chemical skid, a phase separator skid, a gas purification skid, and an oil purification skid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel Gallo, Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20100059450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing fatty wastes leading to a better valorization, particularly for use as fuel. According to the invention, this method is substantially characterized in that it comprises a chemical treatment of fatty wastes (1, 1?), wherein fatty wastes (1, 1?) are mixed with water (8) and an acid-type reagent (7) so as to obtain a demineralized fatty phase not containing mineral elements belonging to the alkaline and alkaline earths families, and an aqueous phase which may include solid residues as precipitates; followed by a mechanical treatment wherein the obtained mixture undergoes a mechanical separation (11) through decanting or filtering, so as to separate the demineralized fatty phase from the aqueous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: VEOLIA PROPRETE
    Inventors: Laurence LAFOSSE, Olivier BELLYNCK, Vincent GEORGEAUD, Fabrice LEFEBVRE, Tristan ROBINO
  • Patent number: 7673516
    Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment chamber and a process for ultrasonically treating a liquid in an ultrasonic treatment chamber include an elongate, generally tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally from the inlet. Liquid is directed into the housing at the housing inlet for longitudinal flow within the housing to the housing outlet. Mechanical ultrasonic vibration is generated within the housing in direct contact with the liquid flowing within the housing, with the direct contact being upstream of the housing outlet. A standing acoustic wave is produced within the housing with the standing acoustic wave having a node spaced longitudinally from the housing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, Thomas David Ehlert, John Gavin MacDonald, Earl C. McCraw, Jr., Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Publication number: 20100000910
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to removing a trace element from a liquid hydrocarbon feed. The liquid hydrocarbon feed, containing the trace element, is mixed with the water along with a hydrocarbon-soluble additive. While being mixed, a compound, which in some cases is preferably insoluble, is formed by the hydrocarbon-soluble additive chemically reacting with the trace element. A phase separation device, such as a desalter or an oil-water separator, receives the oil-water emulsion containing the compound and resolves the mixture to produce the compound, effluent brine, and effluent liquid hydrocarbon with a reduced concentration of the trace element as compared to the liquid hydrocarbon feed. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to removing elemental mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed. A hydrocarbon-soluble sulfur-containing additive, typically an organic polysulfide, is mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon feed and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Lynn Gallup, Christopher Henry Spurrell, Lyman Arnold Young, Paul Tish
  • Patent number: 7611633
    Abstract: A method for separation of fluid, in particular oil, gas and water, in connection with the extraction of such a fluid from formations under the surface of the earth or the sea bed. The fluid is transported in a supply pipe or transport pipe (4) to a separator (1) in the form of a tubular separator body, a gravitation tank or similar. The separated components, water and oil, are passed out of the separator separately via outlet pipes. The fluid upstream of the separator (1) is subjected to shear forces so that the drops in the supply flow are torn up to form drops that are so small that the interface generally becomes new and “uncontaminated” by surfactants. The shear forces are supplied by a phase inversion device (6) in the form of a valve or similar. Water can expediently be added to the fluid upstream of the phase inversion device (6) to achieve the desired phase inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Per Gramme, Gunnar Hannibal Lie
  • Publication number: 20090250402
    Abstract: One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove particulates present in a flow of fluid and/or coalesce water contained in the flow of fluid. The inner filter media is operable to remove particulates from the flow of fluid, separate water form the flow of fluid, and remove particulates from the flow of fluid. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Melvin Douglas McCormick, David P. Genter, Norman C. Blizard, Jeffrey A. Husband, Michael J. Connor, Wassem Abdalla, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 7578941
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to new liquid-liquid extraction methods for the length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other 1-dimensional nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Kirk J. Ziegler, Daniel J. Schmidt, Robert H. Hauge, Richard E. Smalley, Irene Morin Marek, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7575690
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon stimulation fluids are often used to increase the permeability and productivity of oil and gas reservoirs. The fluid itself is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons and various chemicals designed to induce gel formation and gel breaking. The successful removal of these chemicals from the fluid has been achieved, through a process of acid-washing and filtration. This will allow the fluid to be re-used many times for further fracturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Synoil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mesher, Amanda G. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7572382
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon stimulation fluids are often used to increase the permeability and productivity of oil and gas reservoirs. The fluid itself is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons and various chemicals designed to induce gel formation and gel breaking. The successful removal of these chemicals from the fluid has been achieved, through a process of acid-washing, mixing with a settling agent, centrifugation and filtration. This will allow the fluid to be re-used many times for further fracturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Synoil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mesher, Amanda G. Jarvis, Robin Tudor
  • Patent number: 7569615
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of alkoxylated dendrimers for breaking oil/water emulsions. The alkoxylated dendrimers have a molecular weight of from 2400 to 100 000 g/mol and have been alkoxylated with C2-C4-alkylene oxide groups or a mixture of such alkylene oxide groups such that the alkoxylated dendrimer has a degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 100 alkylene oxide units per free OH group. The alkoxylated dendrimers are added to the oil/water emulsions in amounts of from 0.0001 to 5% by weight, based on the oil content of the emulsion to be demulsified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Leinweber, Michael Feustel, Elisabeth Wasmund, Heidi Rausch
  • Publication number: 20090184055
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus and method for recycling an invert emulsion based drilling fluid, in which the invert emulsion based drilling fluid includes an oleaginous component and an aqueous component. The apparatus includes an emulsion breaking tank, a water treatment tank, a filter press, and hydrocarbon filters. The method includes: mixing said invert emulsion drilling fluid with a emulsion breaker, wherein the emulsion breaker is a mixture of an alkyl glucoside and an alkane sulfonate; and separating the oleaginous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid from the aqueous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid. The method preferably utilizes an emulsion breaker that is a combination of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank Manfred Franz Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090159534
    Abstract: A coalescing apparatus including a casing having an inner chamber for accommodating insulating fluid. At least one tube of electrically insulating material extends through the casing and the chamber. Each tube forms a flow channel for emulsion to be treated. A set of electrodes is mounted in the chamber. The tube is allotted at least one pair of electrodes of the set. A voltage set is configured to apply mutually different electric potentials to the electrodes of each electrode pair so as to form an electric field between them and thereby an electric field inside the respective tube. A heater is configured to heat the insulating fluid so as to allow the insulating fluid to transfer heat to emulsion flowing through at least one tube and thereby raise the temperature of the emulsion. An emulsion treatment system comprising such includes a coalescing apparatus. A coalescing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Aibel AS
    Inventors: Erik Bjorklund, Pai J. Nilsen
  • Patent number: 7540936
    Abstract: An evaporator for receiving waste fluid stream and producing separate streams of an evaporated fluid and a condensate liquid for use in industrial waste treatment has a curved pathway bounded by a casing having an inlet port through which the waste fluid enters the casing. The casing defines a pathway having a flow direction therein through which the waste fluid stream flows, and within which casing the evaporated fluid is produced. The casing has a drain beneath the pathway through which the condensate passes, and an outlet through which the evaporated fluid is drawn. A series of fins of elongate aerofoil cross-section are located in and extend across the pathway in the flow direction of the waste fluid stream flowing along the pathway. The casing is curved and the fins are arranged parallel to a tangent of the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Waste Treatment Limited
    Inventor: Richard Lilleystone
  • Publication number: 20090134094
    Abstract: A method for the removal of entrained hydrocarbons, particularly aromatics, from water by extracting the hydrocarbons in the water with a hydrocarbon which is relatively less soluble in the water than the entrained hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbons are then separated from the water by a process of coalescence/separation. The extractant is suitably a paraffinic hydrocarbon which, while having an affinity for the entrained hydrocarbon, is relatively less soluble in water than hydrocarbons such as aromatics. The hydrocarbons removed from the water can be recirculated to the feed with the composition of the recirculating phase being controlled to achieve the desired level of hydrocarbon removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company Law Department
    Inventors: Robert J. Falkiner, Bal K. Kaul
  • Patent number: 7517458
    Abstract: A method of processing oily sludge to remove a substantial proportion of the water and hydrocarbon content therefrom to form a solid cake of waste material that is suitable for disposal in land fill sites. The method involving, firstly promoting flocculation in a batch of waste material by mixing in a flocculating agent. The flocculated waste material is then pressing at a first pressure to extract substantially all the free water within the mixture. After the first pressing the waste material is subjected to a second pressing at a second pressure to extract a substantial proportion of hydrocarbon material and further water from the mixture, thus leaving a solid cake of waste material. The invention also considers additional processing steps to maximize the level of hydrocarbon material reclaimed from the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Treatchem Ltd
    Inventor: David Malcolm Owen
  • Patent number: 7514005
    Abstract: A method for processing drilling fluid comprising an oil and water emulsion and solid material includes breaking the emulsion into an oil phase and a water phase, increasing the surface area of the solid material, adsorbing at least some of the water phase to the increased surface area of the solid material, and recovering at least some of the oil phase. The drilling fluid may be moved within a container to break the emulsion and increase the surface area of the solids material. Water phase or solid material may be added to the drilling fluid to maximize the amount of water phase adsorbed into the solid material and minimize the amount of oil phase adsorbed to the solid material. The drilling fluid may be processed while being transported between locations. The solid material may be dried in a thermal dryer to vaporize and recover the water phase and any adsorbed oil phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Neale Browne, Catalin Ivan
  • Patent number: 7507344
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus and method for recycling an invert emulsion based drilling fluid, in which the invert emulsion based drilling fluid includes an oleaginous component and an aqueous component. The apparatus includes an emulsion breaking tank, a water treatment tank, a filter press, and hydrocarbon filters. The method includes: mixing said invert emulsion drilling fluid with a emulsion breaker, wherein the emulsion breaker is a mixture of an alkyl glucoside and an alkane sulfonate; and separating the oleaginous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid from the aqueous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid. The method preferably utilizes an emulsion breaker that is a combination of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank Manfred Franz Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090071908
    Abstract: A method of concentrating nanoparticles, having the steps of: adding and mixing an extraction solvent with a nanoparticles-dispersion liquid that nanoparticles are dispersed in a dispersion solvent, thereby concentrating and extracting the nanoparticles into a phase of the extraction solvent, and removing the dispersion solvent by filter-filtrating a liquid of concentrated extract, in which the extraction solvent is substantially incompatible with the dispersion solvent, and the extract solvent can form an interface after the extraction solvent is mixed with the dispersion solvent and left the mixture still; further a method of deaggregating aggregated nanoparticles, having the steps of: applying two or more ultrasonic waves different in frequency to a liquid containing aggregated nanoparticles, and thereby fining and dispersing the aggregated nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: FUJIFILM CORPORATION, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yousuke Miyashita, Hachiro Nakanishi, Hitoshi Kasai, Akito Masuhara
  • Publication number: 20090071907
    Abstract: A system 10 for extracting free oil from industrial processing fluids contains a solids retention cartridge 20 having a plurality of vertically oriented polymeric elements 28 therein. The cartridge 20 fluidly communicates with a retention chamber 36, wherein the retention chamber 36 provides a predetermined residence time based on fluid flow as established by inlet and outlet pressure and also as established by valved fluid exit orifices. An aggregation chamber 48 fluidly communicates with the retention chamber 36 and provides an area for aggregation of a low density fluid such as oil, for example. The low density fluid is then decanted from the aggregation chamber 48. The purified bulk fluid is drained from the retention chamber 36 through an associated return chamber 40. The average cross-sectional area of the aggregation chamber 48 is less than the average cross-sectional area of the retention chamber 36 thereby enhancing the aggregation of a lower density fluid such as oil, prior to decant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Patent number: 7497954
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from oil-based drilling fluid includes an separation tank, a chemical treatment apparatus having one or more de-oiling polymer preparation tanks, and a dissolved air flotation unit. Slop mud is directed into the separation tank where surfactant is added to separate the drilling fluid from oily water. The drilling fluid is drained for further processing. The oily water is removed by an outlet arrangement from the separation tank and directed to an initial treatment line. One or more de-oiling polymers are added to the oily water in the initial treatment line and mixed therewith. The mixture may then be directed to the dissolved air flotation unit where dissolved air is released into the bottom of the mixture. The dissolved air adheres to suspended solids in the mixture and lifts them to the top surface as a froth. The froth is skimmed from the top surface of the mixture and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Catalin Ivan, Rahul Dixit
  • Publication number: 20090014451
    Abstract: A vessel system comprising a vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one internal wall located within the vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one inflatable seal allowing to create a seal between an outer periphery of the internal wall and an internal cavity wall of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian Pays, Christophe Corailler
  • Patent number: 7455763
    Abstract: A recycling process for the demetalization of hydrocarbon oil comprises recycling the following steps: a demetalizing composition for hydrocarbon oil or an aqueous solution thereof is sufficiently mixed with hydrocarbon oil in a desired proportion, and the resultant mixture is subjected to a conventional electrically desalting process to obtain a demetalized hydrocarbon oil and an aqueous desalted solution containing the desalted metal salts; the aqueous desalted solution containing the metal salts is then sufficiently mixed with a precipitating agent in a desired proportion and is subjected to a displacement reaction, and an aqueous solution containing the demetalizing composition is recovered by separating out the residue of the metal salts produced in the displacement reaction, which is poorly soluble or insoluble in water, with a solid-liquid separator; and the recovered aqueous solution containing the demetalizing composition for hydrocarbon oil, which meets the requirements for metal ions in demetalized
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Karamay Jinshan Petrochemical Limited Company
    Inventors: Lailong Luo, Chunge Niu, Shuyan Yu, Zhongting Ma, Xiangsheng Meng, Bo Ouyang, Yun Han
  • Patent number: 7442311
    Abstract: An emulsion and affluent process which treats and breaks very tight emulsions and separates dissolved solids from associated fluids produced in industry, whereby solids and fluids are separated into clean interfacial phases thus providing an improved quality saleable product resulting in significant reductions in base sediments and water, and compliance with international saleable product and environmental effluent standards with a specific focus on biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand levels for treated fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hydrocarb (Trinadad) Limited
    Inventor: Dolly Nicholas
  • Patent number: 7431845
    Abstract: A method of clarifying oily waste water comprising adding to the waste water an effective clarifying amount of one or more demulsifiers selected from the group consisting of dendritic polyamines, dendritic polyamidoamines and hyperbranched polyethyleneimines and the reaction products thereof with gluconolactone, alkylene oxides, salts of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, alkyl halides, benzyl halides and dialkyl sulfates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Maria B. Manek, Michael J. Howdeshell, Kirk E. Wells, Hester A. Clever, William K. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20080237137
    Abstract: Desalination apparatus based on porous restraint panels fabricated from a number of different layers of metal, thermoplastic, or other substances are used as sophisticated heat exchangers to control the growth of gas hydrate. The gas hydrate is produced after infusion of liquid hydrate-forming material into water to be treated, which liquid hydrate-forming material can also be used to carry out all the refrigeration necessary to cool seawater to near the point of hydrate formation and to cool the porous restraint panels. Hydrate forms on and dissociates through the porous restraints. The composite restraint panels can also be used in gaseous atmospheres where, for instance, it is desired to remove dissolved water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Publication number: 20080210637
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adsorbent comprising calcined coke with a BET surface area of 20 m2/g or less which is obtained by calcining a particular carbonaceous material at 1000 to 1500° C. and which is preferably obtained by calcining coal coke, petroleum coke or charcoal coke at 1000 to 1500° C. The adsorbent of the present invention exhibits adequate adsorbent ability with respect to an oil component in oil-containing wastewater even when the oil-containing wastewater is an emulsion or contains a low concentration of the oil component, and also stably maintains the adsorbent ability over a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Nobuo Fukuda, Sadao Hayata, Takashi Oyama, Akira Ino
  • Patent number: 7416671
    Abstract: A process for the separation of bitumen oil from tar sands and the like. Slurry is supplied to a mixing chamber of a jet pump at an input end of the process. The slurry is agitated within the jet pump to effect a partial to full phase separation of the oil fraction from the solids fraction of the slurry. The partially to fully separated slurry is discharged into a pipeline and later into a hydrocyclone to effect a second phase separation of the slurry. One or more hydrocyclone separators may be used to separate the bitumen oil and liquid from the solids fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: RJ Oil Sands Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Ralph Bozak, Roderick Michael Facey
  • Publication number: 20080197082
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aminocarboxylic esters with EO/PO/BuO block polymers, processes for preparing such compounds and the use of these compounds as emulsion breakers, in particular for crude oil emulsions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marcus Guzmann, Peter Neumann, Karl-Heinz Buchner, Alfred Oftring
  • Patent number: 7404903
    Abstract: A process for the separation of oil from invert mud drill cuttings. Invert mud drill cuttings are supplied to a mixing chamber of a jet pump. The invert mud drill cuttings are agitated within the jet pump to effect transformation of the solids-oil matrix of the invert mud drill cuttings. Oil is then separeated from the transformed solids-oil matrix in a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: RJ Oil Sands Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Ralph Bozak, Michael E Kessick
  • Patent number: 7384562
    Abstract: The invention is a process for treatment of brown grease, where the brown grease comprises water, food solids and free-oil. This process starts with the collection of the brown grease into a container. The brown grease's pH is adjusted with a chemical treatment to produce an adjusted brown grease phase. To the adjusted brown grease phase an anionic copolymer treatment mixture is added along with a cationic copolymer to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture reacts for a period of time, and during this time wastewater is discharged from the reaction mixture to produce resulting solids. The resulting solids are then transferred from the container for disposal or are processed further into a fuel or soil additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: EcoPlus, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7374690
    Abstract: Processes for removing oil from a solid wellbore material such as drill cuttings or water such as produced by a subterranean formation include contacting the solid material/water with an amino-substituted polymer such as chitosan and a halogenating agent. The oil separates from the solid material and becomes bound within a flocculated solid. The flocculated solid containing the oil subsequently may be combined with a solvent of the amino-substituted polymer. Further, the flocculated solid may be contacted with a reducing agent, converting the flocculated solid back into the amino-substitute polymer and forming an oil-phase separate from the solvent-phase. The oil-phase may then be separated from the solvent phase and recovered. The solvent in which the amino-substituted polymer is dissolved may be recycled for treating more solid material removed from the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 7351342
    Abstract: An aqueous solution containing a fluorine-containing emulsifier in a low concentration of at least 1 ppm by mass and at most 1% by mass (e.g., coagulation waste water after an emulsion polymerization of a fluoropolymer and/or an aqueous solution obtained by washing with an aqueous solution a waste gas from a drying process and/or a heat treating process of the fluoropolymer) is subjected to vacuum concentration under a pressure of at most 100 kPa and a temperature of the aqueous solution of at most 100° C. by means of a heating tube surface evaporation type concentrator equipped with a heat pump or the like, and the fluorine-containing emulsifier is recovered from a highly concentrated aqueous solution containing the fluorine-containing emulsifier in a higher concentration of at least 5% by mass. According to the present method, the fluorine-containing emulsifier can be recovered with a high yield from a low-concentration liquid such as coagulation waste water of a fluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignees: Asahi Glass Company, Limited, Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Funaki, Koichi Yanase, Hiroki Kamiya, Masao Uehara, Kenichiro Nagatomo, Yasushi Nishimura, Shiro Ohno, Satoru Hirano
  • Patent number: 7291275
    Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminates from aqueous industrial wastewater process streams, specifically industrial laundries to yield a less contaminated aqueous effluent for discharge to a sewer and reduce the sludge generated therefrom. A premixed medium/high molecular weight and medium/high charged cationic coagulant solution polymer and an inorganic aluminum species is injected into the wastewater, and after at least a two second delay, a high molecular weight highly charged anionic flocculent polymer solution is injected into the wastewater which reduces sludge generation, while maintaining or exceeding effluent quality. Also, no coagulant, flocculent or sludge aids are needed to attain the results and the sludge can be dewatered in a plate and frame press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Robert A. Davis, Stuart G. Davis
  • Patent number: 7264729
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the contaminants in condensate resulting from the conversion of bauxite to alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Emmett R. Yawn
  • Patent number: 7244364
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for separating hydrocarbons from catalyst fines in a slurry oil/catalyst fines/diluent mixture (SCDM) comprising the steps of removing SCDM from a slurry oil storage tank and combining the SCDM with crude oil entering a desalter in order to separate the slurry oil from the catalyst fines, whereby the desalter causes the hydrocarbon content of the SCDM to exit the desalter with dehydrated hydrocarbon from the crude oil while catalyst fines exit the desalter with basic sediment and water removed from the crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Larry J. Weber
  • Patent number: 7217779
    Abstract: A phosphoric ester demulsifier composition prepared by reacting one or more alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylates or one or more polyalkylene glycols, or a mixture thereof, with about 0.001 to about 1.0 molar equivalents of one or more phosphorous compounds selected from phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorous pentoxide and phosphoric acid and a method of using the demulsifier composition to resolve water-in-oil emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Lang
  • Patent number: 7201225
    Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat, concentrate and recycle or otherwise reuse dilute and other oil well fluids, brines and muds, and solution mining fluids, all of which commonly contain ingredients worthy of conservation. The cavitation device is powered by a Diesel engine whose exhaust may be used to heat the incoming fluid, and the product of the cavitation device is directed to a flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Total Separation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Robert L. Sloan