Abstract: A method of cleaning waste water and removing contaminants therefrom with respect to compositions exhibiting water solubility behavior which is pH dependent. The method includes the preliminary step of applying the composition at a pH at which the composition is water insoluble, then removing excess composition from application equipment with a wash solution having a pH at which the composition is water soluble or washable, changing the pH of the wash solution to a pH at which the composition is water insoluble to thereby precipitate the composition and removing the composition by filtration or other separation techniques. The invention also relates to a shop towel clean up method.

Abstract: An improved food, oil and grease accumulating apparatus and method of use is disclosed. The improved apparatus includes a pump station to discharge contaminated effluent at a higher flow rate at periodic intervals into a first food separation station for removing food particles. Effluent leaves the food separation station into a second food separation system and then an oil and grease separation station which uses an oleophillic material to attract and coalesce oil and grease particles and permit their advancement along channels to the top region of the oil and grease separation station. The oil and grease are removed through an evacuation system while the water is permitted to discharge from the oil and grease separation station into the sewer system.

Abstract: A process for separating the components of an emulsion. The process comprises, adjusting the pH of the emulsion to 4 less, adding a coagulant to the emulsion, forming a substantially uniform dispersion of inert particulate carrier in the emulsion adding a polyelectrolyte flocculent either during or after the step of forming the substantially uniform dispersion of inert particulate carrier in the emulsion to form floccs of the inert particulate carrier, the dispersed liquid phase, and the contaminants, allowing the floccs to settle, and separating the relatively clarified continuous liquid phase from the settled floccs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating food processing wastes. Pursuant to the method, the food processing waste is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer flocculant. In further embodiments, the method of the present invention includes the further steps of adding effective amounts of both a coagulant and flocculant in combination or separately.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing crude oil from becoming emulsified in desalter wash water. According to the method, the wash water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.

Abstract: Petroleum emulsion breakers based on alkoxylated polyethyleneimines are obtained by reacting polyethyleneimine with a molecular weight of 2,500-35,000 with 5-40 moles each of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide per ethyleneimine unit in the polyethyleneimine and are used for the demulsification of petroleum emulsions at from 10.degree. C. to 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for cleaving spent emulsions such as cooling lubricants by means of carbon dioxide under pressure, and if necessary, heat in an economic and environment-friendly manner. The emulsion of cooling lubricant is saturated under pressure with carbon dioxide and is heated and/or cooled until cleavage is achieved. Above the cleavage temperature, a floating, water-poor oil phase quickly forms above an oil-poor aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel method of removing emulsified oils, dissolved solids and particulates from a water containing liquid wastestream comprising chemically treating the wastestream with an acid, a coagulant, and a flocculant and subsequently flowing such treated wastestream upwardly through a vertical plate pack chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil and clarifying waste water from an oil field are disclosed. The method includes the step of treating the waste water with an aqueous de-emulsifying agent comprising wattle tannin, an inorganic coagulant and a synthetic polymer flocculant to destabilize the oil emulsion and rapidly agglomerate the oil particles formed thereby. Efficiency of the present de-emulsifying agent permits use of flotation equipment for rapid clean-up of the waste water and obviates the need for large settling pits.

Abstract: A method for dispersing heavy hydrocarbons in an ethylene water quench tower, the method comprising the steps of: introducing an effective amount of a dispersant into the ethylene water quench tower, the dispersant comprising a copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin having from about 10 to about 36 carbon atoms and a maleic anhydride, wherein the rate ratio of the .alpha.-olefin to the maleic anhydride is from about 1:1 to about 5:5 and the molecular weight of the copolymer is from about 5,000 to about 100,000, the anhydride moieties of the copolymer being substantially intact.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the dosage of a polyelectrolyte treating agent in a water treatment process using a fluorescent material having the opposite electrical charge as a polyelectrolyte treating agent used to treat water in a water treatment process.

Abstract: A system for the reduction and separation of highly emulsified and/or immiscible components mixed in a fluid, particularly useful for treating waste water contaminated with oils and oily emulsions, as from depleted oil wells, vehicle washing stations, and meat rendering plants. The system is operative for reducing the amount of organic and inorganic contaminants, and is particularly suitable for reducing the amount of oil, with oil-consuming microorganisms, and separating oil that is not consumed within the system from the water so that the oil may be recycled and the water discharged into wetlands or sanitary sewers without further treatment. The system comprises a multi-stage, recirculating series of treatment tanks. In a first stage, the fluid is recirculated through a treatment loop where the fluid is aerated and then passed through a coalescer.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsions are broken by the use of adducts prepared by reacting high molecular weight polyalkylene glycol with ethylene oxide, or diglycidyl ether, or both ethylene oxide and diglycidyl ether. The adduct demulsifiers may be used alone or as a blend with other demulsifiers.

Abstract: A process for improving the efficiency of coal dewatering and deashing uses complexing agents such as sodium gluconate in alkaline solution to form soluble compounds with cations such as Al.sup.+3, Fe.sup.+3, Mg.sup.+2, and Ca.sup.+2. The formation of such compounds reduces the adsorption and/or desorbs clay slimes from the coal surface.

Abstract: Oil demulsifiers are based on an alkoxylate having a polydispersity of at least 1.7, and the alkoxylates are prepared using a metal alcoholate as a catalyst.

Abstract: In the process described, esterification products of an oxyalkylated primary fatty amine and 0.5 to 1.5 mol per mole of fatty amine of a simple dicarboxylic acid or of a dicarboxylic acid from the group comprising dimeric fatty acids are employed as emulsion breakers.

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: This invention is directed to a preparative technique for concentrating or isolating a surfactant from an oil/water emulsion. First, a an emulsion or sludge sample containing surfactants is separated into separate oil, water and solid phases. Thereafter, water droplets are injected into the oil phase. The water droplets fall through the oil phase, causing surfactant in the oil phase to adhere to said droplets which form a high-internal-phase-ratio (HIPR) water-in-oil emulsion that is rich in surfactants. This emulsion is subsequently separated into an oil and a water phase. The separated surfactant-rich oil phase is then analyzed to obtain information concerning the surfactant.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the purification of commercial, industrial and institutional waste streams in order to bring them into dischargeable compliance with environmental standards. The invention provides a system for removing contaminants, such as fats, oils and grease (FOGs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), from waste effluents on an essentially continuous basis. During the treatment process, the FOGs and TPHs disposed within the textiles to be cleaned are treated with an alkaline, pH- or acid-sensitive detergent, causing their emulsification. The effluent waste stream is then treated by removing the solids and particulates. The alkaline emulsion is broken up by acidification of the wastewater, thereby releasing and dispersing the FOGs and TPHs. The FOGs and TPHs in the broken-up and dissolved emulsion are agglomerated by the introduction of an organic, cationic polymer.

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 method is set forth for the treatment of mixed oil and water flowing from a producing oil well. Certain salts may be formed by the mixture some of which will be soluble organic salts. The present process sets forth a method of treating the produced stream with low molecular weight amines and preferably amine quaternaries with strong acids so that the oil based salts are removed from the water phase and left with the oil for segregation, thereby permitting disposal of the produced water without creating a sheen on the produced water. Subsequent waste water treatment is avoided to remove traces of oil on the produced but separated water.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of organic materials trapped in the emulsions generated in solvent extraction plants. The emulsions are first washed in aqueous solution. The washed emulsions are then subjected to a mechanical breaking process in aqueous/organic dispersion, inducing the inversion of the continuity of phases in the emulsions and the release of the phases involved. Subsequent separation of the phases by decanting enables the removal of significant quantities of solids and increases the overall recovery of the organic trapped in the emulsions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of recycling waste oil fluids including dispersed solids and emulsified water. According to the method, the waste oil is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of recovering water from an acid workover, the water including dispersed solids and emulsified oil. According to the method, the water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.

Abstract: A method for treating a waste system containing an oil phase dispersed on a water phase is disclosed that includes adding a polysalt having an anionic polymer component and a cationic polymer component wherein the weight ratio of the anionic polymer component to the cationic polymer component ranges from about 5:95 to 40:60, on an active basis.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of removing emulsified oil from oil field produced water. According to the method, the oil-containing water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.

Abstract: Materials such as amines, alcohols, aminoalcohols, ethers and mixtures thereof, including halogenated adducts thereof, have been found to be useful floc modifiers for water clarifiers to form an effective overall water clarifier composition. The water clarifier portion of the composition is a dithiocarbamate. The floc modifier of a particular water clarifier composition need not be the same compound that is reacted with carbon disulfide (CS.sub.2) to make the water clarifier portion of the novel compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for separating a first fluid from a second fluid wherein the first fluid is lighter than the second fluid and the first fluid is immiscible with the second fluid. A first portion of the first fluid is separated from a mixture containing the first and second fluids in a gravity separator. The remaining mixture flows to a hydrocyclone where a second portion of the first fluid is separated from the remaining mixture. The underflow from the hydrocyclone which includes most of the second fluid and the remaining portion of the first fluid flows to a second gravity separator without substantial pressure reduction to avoid shearing of the droplets of the first fluid. In the second gravity separator a third portion of the first fluid is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least one selected medium from a liquid influent stream includes an assembly for dividing the influent stream into a plurality of smaller streams at an interface and means for filtering the smaller streams as they each flow along a discrete flow path substantially distinct from the flow paths of the other smaller streams. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing oils, greases, and suspended solids from a water oil mixture and is of a compact overall shape to permit mobile on-site use of the separator, for example, to remove contaminants from an aqueous mixture drawn out from a contaminated water table. The assembly for dividing the influent stream into smaller streams may include a diffuser plate having a plurality of apertures and the filtering assembly may include a head of oil disposed adjacent the diffuser plate for acting on the smaller streams created by the flow of the influent through the apertures of the diffuser plate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of removing emulsified oil from ethylene quench water. According to the method, the oil-containing water is treated with an effective amount of a dispersion of a water-soluble cationic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for treating an oily substrate, including a mixture comprising water and oily material or a mixture comprising water, solids and oily material as components, and wherein such treatment comprises contacting the oily substrate with a solvent for the oily material, a comminuting surfactant, and a flocculant, wherein said solvent for said oily material ranges in solubility in water from sparingly soluble to substantially water insoluble, to produce at least one phase differentiating interface and to thereby render one or more components of said oily substrate separable.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for removing benzene from hydrocarbon process waters. These methods include adding aluminum chlorohydrate to the water and then separating the benzene by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Methods of diminishing the benzene content of the effluent wash water in a two stage crude oil desalting system are disclosed. The first stage desalter is operated at "low", near ambient temperatures with decreased mixing of crude oil and wash water and increased addition of demulsifier. The second stage is operated at "hot" temperatures of prior processes with increased mixing of the crude oil and wash water. The effluent wash water has a substantially diminished benzene content compared to prior two-stage desalting systems.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for removing oil and metal ions from oily wastewaters. Polymeric tannin amine compounds are added to the oily wastewater to demulsify the oil, and flocculate the metal ions.

Abstract: Method of breaking the desalter emulsion in a crude oil desalting system in which oil based demulsifiers are added to the wash water stream and mixed prior to contacting the crude oil. The method is effective for crude oils which form reverse (oil-in-water) emulsions when mixed with the wash water at the process temperature.

Abstract: A process for treating spent aqueous emulsion material formed from a non-volatile hydrocarbon organic portion having a paint solids content greater than about 10% by weight in which the spent emulsion is broken and the organic phase is admixed with sufficient amounts of a hydrocarbon solvent extractant to extract organic portions of the aqueous emulsion. The hydrocarbon solvent extractant and the organic portion/solvent extractant mixture can then be distilled to provide essentially pure hydrocarbon solvent extractant and the hydrocarbon organic portion of the emulsion essentially free from paint solids. The organic portion of the material can then be admixed with quantities of water to reform a reclaimed emulsion. Examples of the paint overspray treatment emulsion on which the process of the present invention is highly effective is one which contains a hydrocarbon such as an alcohol ester, an alcohol ester derivative or mixtures of the two in combination in its organic phase.

Abstract: An emulsion breaking apparatus for segregating a lesser specific gravity liquid from an emulsion by a gravity separation. A primary separating chamber within the apparatus receives a flow of the emulsion and directs said flow through a panel array which defines a tortuous path and one or more segregating compartments. One or more weirs formed in the panel array function to meter the lighter liquid which rises to the emulsion surface, into the one or more compartments by a gravity flow of the emulsion across said weir. A non-reactive gas introduced into the main separating chamber forms a non-oxidizing gaseous blanket above liquid in the apparatus to avoid corrosive action which might otherwise commence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for breaking oil in water emulsions. More specifically, this invention relates to a cationic quarternary ammonium modified blend of a starch and a natural gum, which is effective at breaking oil in water emulsions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the amount of treatment composition, e.g., cationic coagulant, to be introduced into an aqueous medium, e.g., a laundry waste water, having a content of non-solid fats, oils and/or grease (FOG) which is to be reduced. This system comprises a detector adapted to determine the electric charge value of a material comprising the aqueous medium having a FOG which is to be reduced and to provide a signal indicative of this electric charge value and an automatic processor provided with a relationship of the amount of treatment composition to be introduced into the aqueous medium to reduce the FOG of the aqueous medium to a given level as a function of the signal, and adapted to receive the signal and to provide a control signal to a source of treatment composition to control the amount of treatment composition introduced from the source of treatment composition into the aqueous medium.

Abstract: Dithiocarbamic salts made from the reaction products of certain polyamines and epoxides have been found to be useful to clarify water, particularly the oil-in-water emulsions which accompany crude oil production. The water clarification may be accomplished by demulsification or flocculation. The polyamine reaction products themselves are novel and may have the structure ##STR1## where R" is selected from the group consisting of the structure --R--NH.sub.2 and ##STR2## where R is selected from the group consisting of straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; arylene moieties; substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; substituted arylene moieties or mixtures thereof; and where R' is--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --O--R--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --where n and m independently range from 1 to 5 and q is 0 or 1. The dithiocarbamic salts made from these polyamines also find use as corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering oil from an oil spill on the surface of a body of water includes a skimmer unit for recovering an oil-water mixture from the surface of the body of water, a three stage coalescer unit for separating the oil in the oil-water mixture from the water therein and a solvent injection assembly for injecting solvent into the coalescer unit after the first and second stages in order to reduce the viscosity of the oil entering the second and third stages. The first, second, and third stages of the coalescer unit comprise interceptors having a surface area ratios between 27 and 65 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 ; 65 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 and 2500 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 ; and 500 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 and 4200 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3, respectively.

Abstract: Phase separation equipment for thermally separating an emulsion, in particular, a water-oil emulsion, includes a container for receiving the emulsion, a heater for heating the emulsion in the container, a discharge outlet from the top of the container for evacuating a vapor phase of the emulsion and a system for introducing air into the lower region of the container for forming a vapor cloud at the surface of the emulsion at a lower temperature than would be expected. The vapor cloud is discharged from the container, and the condensible portion of the vapor is condensed and separated from the vapor stream. The separated air or residual gas is then fed back into the air stream supplied to the bottom area of the container so that a closed loop air circulation system is provided. The system avoids discharge of air and noxious odors into the atmosphere while enhancing the separation of the lower boiling point vapor from the emulsion.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the removal of a benzene from a petroleum refinery desalter effluent brine is described. The method involves treating the effluent brine with a combination of aluminum chlorhydrate and a water soluble cationic polymer followed by solvent extraction. The preferred cationic polymer is polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of demulsifying employing condensates as demulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions and prepared fromA) a precondensate from one or more trialkanolamines of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 denote the same or different 1,2-alkylene groups of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, andB) from 0.1 to 30% w/w, based on said precondensate, of one or more of the following compounds II:a) urea or a urea derivative of the general formula IIa ##STR2## b) a urea derivative of the general formula IIb ##STR3## c) a urethane of the general formula IIc ##STR4## and/or d) a urethane of the general formula IId ##STR5## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -alkenyl,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and denote hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl andR.sup.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkylene.

Abstract: A five stage treatment system for treating oily wastewater to fit it for discharge to surface waters comprising a coalescer for separating free oil, an ultrafiltration unit for separating emulsified oil, an activated carbon filter for separating residual light organic compounds, a cation exchanger for removing heavy metal ions, a pH adjusting unit for adjusting the treated water to substantially neutral pH prior to discharge, and a controller for regulating the operation of the system. An optional gravity separation stage and/or a clarifier stage may also be included, if desired. Flow of permeate from the ultrafiltration stage is monitored and control valves admitting feed solution to the ultrafiltration unit or discharging retentate from the ultrafiltration unit are adjusted in response to the measured values to maintain a desired rate of permeate flow.

Abstract: A method is designed to treat the effluent from a commercial laundry facility. Commercial laundry facilities produce typically a relatively clean effluent produced by washing clothing, towels and the like. The same laundry facility can also produce an oily effluent from washing shop towels, mops and the like. The effluent produced by the commercial laundry is all subjected to a particulate filtration and heat exchanger. The nonoily effluent is then directed to the sanitary drain. The oily effluent is treated with a demulsifier to break down the oil/water emulsion and is subsequently transferred to a oil/water separator. This permits the capacity of the oil/water separator to be approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of that which would be required to treat all effluent in the laundry.

Abstract: A process and system for continuously recovering industrial waste water characterized as divergent hydro-lipophilic waste streams for industrial reuses to enhance water conservation and to reduce environmental pollution is disclosed. The process and system are especially suited for reclaiming animal and food processing discharge water having blood, fat, oil and grease contaminants in the water, for industrial reuse in evaporative condensers, hydraulic system cooling and equipment, non-food contact vehicles and plant or factory area wash-downs. The process can operate continuously for supplying water for such industrial uses, but also includes an automatic shut down if the incoming influent to be treated is too turbid. The process includes chemical pH adjustment, separation of fat, oil and grease (FOG) from the influent and particulate removal in polishing filters. Sensors are used to monitor the pH and component internal water pressures throughout.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water storage chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the water storage chamber. Fluid is input to the separation tank at the level of the oil/water interface. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and an adjustable water overflow unit is provided adjacent the water outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of water in the water leg. The adjustable overflow units allow the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A method for treating and resolving a phosphorus containing oily waste emulsion is described. The treatment uses an emulsion destabilizing cationic polymer of low molecular weight in combination with filter aids to form a coacervate slurry. The coacervate slurry can be optionally treated with either high molecular weight anionic or cationic coagulents, or combination thereof. The suspended solids formed by the above treatments are removed from the slurries and wasted or discarded or incinerated. The remaining liquids may be recycled, reused, or treated as effluent meeting environmental standards.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbon contaminants from a drilling mud by adding a hydrocarbon diluent along with a wash water to create an emulsion. The wash water having a surfactant dissolved therein. The resultant emulsion is subjected to centrifugation which produces three distinct layers that can be easily separated to produce a clean drilling mud, a clear wash water, and a hydrocarbon phase containing the hydrocarbon contaminant and the hydrocarbon diluent.