Abstract: Disclosed is an oil separating method in which oil-contaminated water in a separation tank is mixed with air bubbles in a bubble-generating apparatus provided at the bottom of the separation tank to jet out said air-water mixture into the separation tank,wherein a surfactant and/or an antifoamer are(is) previously added to the oil-contaminated water.

Abstract: An improved method of removing water soluble organics from produced water is disclosed. In the method, a chemical, selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, tallow amine, acetic acid, and combinations thereof, is added to the water in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the water to about 6.0 to 6.5. Water soluble organics then separate out from the water for easy removal by conventional phase separation techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from waste water directs the waste water through a first magnetic field. An ionic polymer is introduced into the waste water after the waste water passes through the first magnetic field, whereby at least some contaminants flocculate. Flocculated contaminants are separated from the waste water so as to form a waste water effluent. An oxidizing agent is introduced into the waste water effluent and the waste water and the oxidizing agent are directed through a second magnetic. The waste water is directed through a weir into a trough open to the atmosphere. Air is injected into the trough so that at least one gas within the waste water combines with the air injected into the waste water. The combined air and gas floats to the surface of the waste water and is expelled into the atmosphere. Foam is removed from the waste water in the trough.

Abstract: A treated solvent composition for washing mechanical parts or the like. The solvent contains not more than about 25% aromatic solvents with the balance being aliphatic and other non-aromatic solvents having a flashpoint of at least 100.degree. F. The solvent is treated with up to 10 parts of an additive composition selected from the group consisting of C.sub.14 and lower alcohols, diols, polyols, lower glycols, and lower glycol ethers and mixtures thereof. In use, finely dispersed contaminant particles settle from the body of the solvent more rapidly than in untreated solvent and the resulting clarified appearance enables the solvent to be used longer and more effectively in a cleaning operation.

Abstract: Compositions of an non-alkkoxylated alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin and poly(alkylene glycol) are effective at breaking water-in-oil emulsions in a liquid hydrocarbon. Preferably, the composition is employed in a crude oil desalting system.

Abstract: Water is separated from crude oil by a process in which the oil demulsifier used is a mixture ofA) compounds which have demulsifying activity and are of the structure type of the(a) polyethyleneimine alkoxylate,(b) mono- or oligoamine alkoxylate,(c) alkoxylated alkylphenol/formaldehyde resins,(d) alkoxylated amine-modified alkylphenol/formaldehyde resins,(e) co- or terpolymers of alkoxylated acrylates or methacrylates with vinyl compounds,(f) condensates of mono- or oligoamine alkoxylates, dicarboxylic acids and alkylene oxide block copolymers, where these condensates may furthermore be completely or partially quaternized at the nitrogen atoms, or(g) compounds (a) to (f) reacted with crosslinking agents andB) as a demulsifying assistant, a polyalkylene glycol ether which has no demulsifying activity and is of the general formula I or IIR.sup.1 ?(OA.sup.1).sub.a --OH!.sub.n (I)H--(OA.sup.1).sub.b --(OA.sup.2).sub.c --(OA.sup.3).sub.d --OH(II)whereR.sup.1 is a monovalent to decavalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous solution of an ionic copolymer having a copolymer concentration of 20 % by weight or less and a viscosity of 20 ps or more at 25.degree. C. which comprises conducting copolymerization of an acrylamide compound(B) with a diallylamine compound(A) by continuously adding an aqueous solution of (B) having a concentration of 30% by weight or less to an aqueous solution of the diallylamine compound(A) having a concentration of 5% by weight or more and less than 10% by weight, and this process exhibit high conversion of diallylamine compounds, of which reactivity is low, and a copolymer having a high molecular weight can be obtained.

Abstract: Oil-in-water (reverse) and water-in-oil (obverse) emulsions in crude oil production and processing systems are resolved by addition of a treatment solution comprising a copolymer of acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (AETAC) and acrylamide. The mole percent of AETAC is above about 20% and the molecular weight (grams per mole) of the copolymer is above about 2 million. The treatment solution is effective in matrix which include high percentages of oil and at high temperatures.

Abstract: Emulsified oil contained in oil-in-water emulsions is removed from waste water by mixing cationic polyacrylamide high polymers with the waste water, forming oil-containing aggregations and separating the aggregations from the demulsified water. The demulsified water can then be more effectively polished, typically by contact with adsorbent particles, and subsequently passed to environmentally acceptable disposal locations.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises introducing a contaminated fluid mixture containing solids, liquid and contaminating fluid into a preliminary separator to separate the contaminating fluid from the principal liquid and solids; tangentially introducing the contaminated fluid mixture into a vertical cylindrical vessel in a circular motion to further separate the contaminating fluid from the principal liquid and solids; introducing air into the contaminated fluid mixture to further separate the contaminating fluid from the liquid and solids; maintaining the circular flow of the contaminated fluid mixture within the vessel to separate the fluid into contaminating fluid, clean liquid and solid contaminants; collecting the contaminating fluid in a reservoir; removing the contaminating fluid from the reservoir; and, discharging the clean liquid from the vessel.

Abstract: Oil emulsions are broken in a particularly advantageous manner by adding to them a breaker which comprises poly-DADMAC and polyalkylenepolyamines.

Abstract: A process is described whereby phenolics and other water soluble, organic materials are removed from certain aqueous refinery waste streams by an extraction process whereby the brine is contacted with a hydrocarbon solvent containing at least about 2% by weight of a trialkylamine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of removing emulsified oil from an industrial wastewater stream. According to the method, a vinylamine polymer is added to the oil containing wastewater in a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 100 parts per million based on the total volume of the water being treated. The vinylamine polymer includes from about 1 to about 100 mole percent vinylamine and from about 1 to about 99 mole percent of at least 1 monomer selected from the group consisting of amidine, vinylformamide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyrrolidinone and the esters, amides, nitriles and salts of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. The addition of the polymer to the oil containing wastewater causes the emulsified oil to flocculate. The flocculated oil is then removed from the wastewater.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking oil and water emulsions are disclosed. Oil and water emulsions are broken by treating the emulsion with a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer. The preferred composition is an aqueous solution of a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer, a water soluble organic multivalent salt and a glycol. The preferred salt is aluminum chlorohydrate and the preferred glycol is hexylene glycol.

Abstract: Compositions of an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin and poly(alkylene glycol) are effective at breaking water-in-oil emulsions in a liquid hydrocarbon. Preferably, the composition is employed in a crude oil desalting system.

Abstract: A method of cleaning contaminated industrial equipment. An aqueous solution containing an enzyme and a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20, is agitated in contact with the equipment to remove oil contamination and provide a water/oil dispersion. The water/oil dispersion is then permitted to stand in a quiescent state to form an oil phase separate from the water phase, and the oil phase is then separated from the water phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of removing metal contained in a solution through chelation, which makes it possible to preclude undesired aggregation and permit effective aggregation through an aggregating process. A surface active agent containing a hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic group and a chelating group is added to the solution to be processed, and subsequently an aggregating process is carried out. The chelating group chelates metal, the hydrophilic group prevents undesired aggregation, and the hydrophobic group is effectively aggregated in the aggregating process. Various uses are possible by selecting the charge of ligand.

Abstract: A method of separating oleophilic-hydrophobic material from wash water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mixing with the wash water, either alone or in combination, about 30-2100 ppm of a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20; and about 1-200 ppm of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, pectinases and mixtures thereof. The mixture of wash water surfactant and/or enzyme is then permitted to stand for a time sufficient for the oleophilic-hydrophobic material to separate.

Abstract: A method of removing dispersed oil from an oil in water emulsion is accomplished by the steps of dissolving gas in water to form an aerated solution, introducing the emulsion and aerated solution into a treatment vessel in which is positioned a coalescing media formed by an assembly of closely spaced corrugated plates of oleophilic material, the emulsion and aerated solution passing in contact with the plates to cause oil droplets to coalescence on the plates and small gas bubbles carried with the aerated solution to adhere to the oil droplets to increase the buoyancy of the oil droplets so that the oil droplets more readily rise to the surface of the emulsion, accumulated oil being removed from the surface.

Abstract: A method for separating emulsified oil from water in petroleum production is disclosed. Low molecular weight polymers of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride and benzyl chloride quaternary salt have good activity as reverse emulsion breakers for freeing oil tied up as a oil-in-water emulsion. The polymer reverse emulsion breakers are preferably prepared and used as aqueous solutions to obviate the need for inversion techniques and the use of hydrocarbon compatibilizers and surfactants as required for a latex polymer.

Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The tannin containing polymers comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises tannin containing polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.

Abstract: Flotation apparatus (10) for removing finely divided bodies of an insoluble substance dispersed in an aqueous medium, such as oil and solids dispersed in water, comprises a vertical flotation column (12) having a feed inlet (14) and an outlet (22) for the aqueous medium, a sparging system (16) for generating gas bubbles rising upwardly in the aqueous medium to capture and raise the finely divided bodies of the insoluble substance to the surface of the aqueous medium in the column to form a layer (31) of the insoluble substance on the surface of the aqueous medium, a launder (18) for receiving an overflow of the insoluble substance and an outlet (20) for the insoluble substance in the launder. The apparatus (10) can be used in both countercurrent and co-current fashion. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanism for the intermittent dumping of the layer (31) of insoluble substance from the column (12).

Abstract: Oil well production fluid composed of oil and water and containing in excess of 100 ppm water soluble petroleum carboxylates in anionic form dissolved in the water is treated by acidifying the fluid to a pH of 6.0 or lower with a combination of a strong organic acid and a strong mineral acid and then is intimately mixed. The oil and water are separated one from the other. The content of the water soluble organics in the water is thereby substantially transferred to the oil phase. In a second aspect of the invention, water used to extract corrosive compounds to render the oil suitable for fueling gas turbine power plants is acidified to a pH of 6.0 or lower and is thereafter intimately mixed with fuel oil.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for substantially reducing or eliminating total suspended solids (TSS), biological organic discharge or biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and fats, oils and greases (FOG) contaminants. The system includes at least one mixing chamber for mixing wastewater with at least one dewatering agent or chemical and air to form an aerated mixture and at least one tank having a plurality of compartments for facilitating flotation, settling and removal of contaminants from the aerated mixture as it flows through the tank. Preferably, the system includes first and second mixing chambers and first and second tanks arranged in series with each of the tanks including drag lines for removing floating and settled contaminants.

Abstract: A method for breaking an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises the addition of a hydrophobically-modified polyelectrolyte copolymer comprising a diallyldimethylammonium chloride and a hydrophobically-associating monomer selected from the group consisting of quaternized dialkylaminoalkylacrylates, quaternized dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylates, and alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acids, preferably ethylhexylacrylate, to the emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for treating bottoms sludge and water-oil interphase emulsions present in a containment vessel by injecting into the sludge an effective resolving amount of an oil-based demuislfier. In a preferred embodiment, the containment vessel is a desalter containing a bottoms sludge layer, a water/brine layer, a water-oil interphase emulsion layer and a hydrocarbon layer and the demulsifier is injected through the mud wash header.

Abstract: A profile of the emulsion pad, the oil continuous and the water continuous phases present in a coalescer, such as a crude oil dehydrater or desalter, which contains sample withdrawing means such as trycocks or a swing arm sampler for withdrawing liquid samples from a plurality of known vertical positions inside the unit, is readily obtained by withdrawing samples from a plurality of known vertical positions inside the unit and passing the samples to a receiver outside the unit which contains means for measuring an electrical property determinative of the type of phase being measured and its water content. The measured electrical property may be the energy absorption of the sample, such as RF energy absorption.

Abstract: The present invention deals with compositions utilized to demulsify wash liquors, tramp oils or coolants. The compositions of the present invention are useful per se as cleaning compositions. The ability to rapidly demulsify from a waste liquor solution allows rapid recovery of fats, organic components, paint residues, greases and oils and rapid passage of the effluent to a sewage treatment facility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of an emulsion comprising an electrically conductive component dispersed in a continuous phase of a substantially electrically insulating component, for instance, a water-in-oil emulsion. The method includes the steps of introducing bubbles of an electrically insulating gas into the emulsion, whilst simultaneously applying an electric or electrostatic field across the emulsion.

Abstract: A method for removing residual oil from oily water under pressure is provided. The method comprises flowing a liquid stream of an oily water downward through a vertically extended zone to remove the residual oil. A gas is injected into the lower end of the zone and at a rate sufficient to generate bubbles of a predetermined volume in the liquid stream. A sufficient pressure is maintained in the zone to control the rate of expansion of the bubbles to a volume compatible with oil droplets in the liquid stream during upward migration of the bubbles and the oil droplets. The rate of flow of the liquid stream from the lower end of the zone and the rate of flow of the gas from the upper end of the zone are regulated to collect residual oil from a quiescent volume within the upper portion of the zone.

Abstract: Powders suitable as electographic toner and/or carrier particles and other powders which utilize a liquid dispersant are produced by limited coalescence techniques. The dispersant is removed by mixing the suspension of coalesced droplets with a sufficient amount of an extracting liquid to cause the dispersant to diffuse out of the coalesced droplets into the extracting liquid.

Abstract: A method of removing waste oil from industrial oily waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of adding to the oily waste water which includes oil, dispersed solids and emulsified water, an effective amount of a demulsifier which comprises a copolymer of a cationic monomer and a vinyl alkoxysilane; allowing the oil, emulsified water and dispersed solids to flocculate and separate into layers; and then removing the water layer from the treated waste water. The cationic monomer is selected from the group consisting diallyldimethylammonium halide, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate quaternary salt and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternary salt.

Abstract: A process is described for removing chlorides from crude oils, including heavy oils and bitumens. The process steps comprise (1) mixing a non-ionic surfactant with the crude oil, (2) bubbling a gas into the crude oil-surfactant mixture to form a froth, (3) centrifuging the frothed mixture to obtain a chloride containing sediment and an oil product of reduced chloride content and (4) collecting the oil product.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of preventing deposition of oil on steel mill scale particles comprising adding from about 1 part per million to about 500 parts per million of an amine acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer to mill flume water. Once the copolymer is added, deposition of oil onto scale particles is prevented. The recovered mill scale has less than 2% oil by weight on the scale, making it suitable for recycle to the steelmaking process. Oil and water are subsequently separated with a greater percentage of oil being recovered.

Abstract: The invention comprise a composition for breaking oil-in-water emulsions comprising adding from about 1 part per million to about 500 parts per million of an amphoteric acrylic acid copolymer to the emulsion. Once the copolymer is added, the emulsion is subjected to agitation until the oil-in-water emulsion is resolved and the oil and water separates into two phases. The oil and water phases are then subjected to a separation technique to separate the phases. The invention further comprises a method of synthesizing the amphoteric polymers used in the emulsion breaking application.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the sulfur in a refinery process stream and/or crude oil, which comprises treating said refinery process stream and/or crude oil with an effective sulfur reducing amount of a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, oximes, hydroxylamines, carbohydrazide, erythorbic acid, and mixtures thereof wherein the reducing agent or the hydrocarbon treated has a temperature of at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A coalescer system (10) for oil-in-water soluble oil emulsions utilized as coolants and cutting oils for machining processes in industrial plants, comprises a deep bed of granular hydrophilic media particles (24) to effect coalescence of insoluble soaps and reverse phase water-in-oil droplets. The coalesced insoluble soaps and reverse phase emulsions flow to the liquid surface in tank (12) along with other contaminants that have an affinity for the reverse phase oil droplets and insoluble soaps, all in the form of floating waste (26). The waste (26) is then discarded. Effluent coolant may be transported back into the cooling system. The system (10) increases the stable life of the oil-in-water emulsion, minimizes the formation of foam, and removes other abrasive or otherwise harmful nonhomogeneous contaminants from the soluble oil emulsion.

Abstract: A water treatment system and process separates contaminants from water by flotation, by forming a removable floating scum of impurities utilizing a bubbling process, by filtering out suspended solids, by stripping dissolved impurities from the water with air, by oxidizing organic compounds, by adsorbing organic compounds, and finally, by disinfecting. Utilization of the disclosed process and system will transform contaminated water into an environmentally suitable state.

Abstract: A device for imparting sonic energy to a continuous flow of an emulsified liquid to de-emulsify the liquid and thereby provide for separation and extraction of selected liquid components. The device utilizes a flat plate oriented in the direction of flow within the liquid so as to impart pressure fronts into the liquid to produce the separation.

Abstract: A method of laundering oily items comprises laundering said items in a wash solution which includes a surfactant system and a source of alkalinity. The source of alkalinity is an alkali metal aluminate preferably sodium aluminate at a concentration effective to have at least about 25 ppm of the alkali aluminate present in the wash solution measured as alumina. The wash solution is then separated from the laundered items and its pH reduced to about 9 or less. A destabilizing polymer such as diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride can be added. This combination causes the oil and grease to separate from the wash solution and float to the surface along with the sodium aluminate. If the concentration of the sodium aluminate is above about 100 ppm preferably about 250 ppm, there is no need to add the destabilizing polymer. This does not affect the overall efficiency of the detergent, yet significantly improves the ability to separate the oil and grease from the waste wash solution.

Abstract: Certain base catalyzed oxyalkylated-cardanol-alkylphenol-aldehyde resins may be utilized in refinery demulsification operations. These materials find particular utility in breaking water-in-oil emulsions resulting from the water wash of crude oils. The materials may also be employed to break other water-in-oil refinery emulsions.

Abstract: A contaminant precipitating composition and method are disclosed. The composition comprises a water soluble branched polymeric composition effective for the purpose of precipitating contaminants from an aqueous solution. The method comprises adding an amount of the composition, effective for the purpose, to the aqueous solution so as to complex, precipitate and remove contaminants from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for clarifying a contaminated fluid comprising a separator vessel having therein a pair of cyclonic flow chambers; preliminary spiral separators introduce the contaminated fluid to be separated into the cyclonic flow chambers by tangential inlets so as to establish a swirling body of fluid in each chamber; the cyclonic flow chambers have a shell positioned below their respective tangential inlets for discharging separated solids to a collection area and separating an oil arid water mixture into a fluid flow zone formed by the cyclonic flow chambers and the wall of the separator vessel wherein water and oil are separated by aeration provided by sparging tubes; a vertical outlet port discharges separated oil and gas from the upper portion of the cyclonic flow chambers to a fluid flow zone wherein oil and gas are separated. The separated water, oil, gas and solids are removed through discharge ports.

Abstract: Improved separation of emulsified hydrophobic organic soils can be obtained from aqueous effluents using an amphoteric dicarboxylate surfactant material in combination with cationic destabilizer or flocculent materials. Such a treatment in combination with an acidic pH adjustment causes the rapid separation of hydrophobic organic soils from the aqueous stream. The treated aqueous stream is environmentally compatible.Improved laundry detergents comprising an organic amphoteric carboxylate surfactant and selected nonionic surfactants provide both cleaning for fiber and fabric containing items soiled with substantial quantities of hydrophobic soil. The pH of an effluent generated in such cleaning processes can be adjusted to an acid pH and treated with a cationic material causing a break that permits rapid and substantially complete separation of the hydrophobic organic soils from the effluent. Residual concentrations of organic soil in effluent water can be less than 250 ppm and can be as low as 10 ppm.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating culture medium with a dilute acid such as nitric acid, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, nitric acid is sprayed on to a floating oily layer of hydrophobic materials at the surface of a stilled culture rich in aerobic bacteria, which materials can obstruct oxygen take up. The nitric acid surface treats the protective hydrophobic third phase, increasing its surface viscosity and the undesired lipid or oily materials to be readily removed mechanically. Oxygen take up and thence microorganismic growth are promoted. Quite small quantities of dilute acid are effective and leave no toxic residue. An optional embodiment entrains nitrogen dioxide in the aeration gases to form nitric acid in situ for surface treatment of thin oily films occluding bubbles in the culture broth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid to liquid coalescing separator (10) in which the liquid flows through sides of upright perforated tubes (20). One of the liquids coalesces on the inner walls of the tubes until large enough to break away and flow out of internal passages in the tubes, and the other liquid free of coalesced liquid flows through the tubes and to an outlet (22).

Abstract: A method of demulsifying a crude oil and water composition involves adding demulsifiers made from acrylic acid/methacrylic acid copolymerized with hydrophilic monomers.

Abstract: A method of separating oleophilic-hydrophobic material from wash water is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing with the wash water, about 30-2100 ppm of a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20; and about 1-200 ppm of an enzyme chosen from among proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, pectinases and mixtures thereof. The mixture of wash water surfactant and/or enzyme is then permitted to stand for a time sufficient for the oleophilic-hydrophobic material to separate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for batch treatment of a liquor to separate, by way of example, a suspension of a contaminant from a liquor is disclosed. The batch treatment apparatus comprises, a single batch vessel that has discharge outlets at an upper and a lower level of the vessel, and an agitator that is operable in accordance with the batch treatment process to mix the contents of the vessel. The batch treatment process comprises, forming floccs of the contaminants and a carrier which settle rapidly towards the base of the vessel, discharching the relatively contaminant free liquor through the upper discharge outlet, breaking bonds of the floccs so that the carrier separates from a sludge of the contaminant and flocculent residue, discharging the sludge through the lower discharge outlet, and re-using the carrier in the treatment of a new batch of liquor.

Abstract: A process for separating liquid hydrocarbons from a wastewater using acoustic energy below cavitation is disclosed. The wastewater containing the residual hydrocarbons is introduced into a vessel which has at least two groups of acoustic transducers attached to it. Acoustic energy is applied to the fluid at an intensity below cavitation level and sufficient to induce at least one standing wave in the fluid. The liquid hydrocarbons are allowed to coalesce within the vessel to a coalesced droplet size of about 20 microns. These coalesced hydrocarbons are then separated from the wastewater.