Abstract: The salt content of crude oil is reduced by washing it with at least 1% by volume of wash water of lower salinity than the water present in the crude oil and separating the resulting mixture of oil and water into a layer of crude oil of reduced salt content and a layer of saline water containing some oil. The latter is passed through a cross-flow membrane separator and the oil-free permeate is removed from the separator as effluent. The oil retentate is recycled from the separator to the washing stage and a quantity of lower salinity than the water associated initially with the crude oil is added to the washing stage. The quantity of added water corresponds at least to the volume of permeate removed from the cross-flow membrane separator.Since the oil is recycled, the need for oil recovery plant for treating desalter effluent is removed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the regeneration in operation of lubricating oils having a first stage in which a flow of oil passes through a filtering surface, then a second and third stage in which a portion of the flow of oil is intercepted and sent countercurrently under a pre-established overpressure to the first stage flow and finally, a fourth stage for varying the position of delivery countercurrent to the filtering surface.

Abstract: Provided is a novel locomotive oil filter for use in locomotive applications. The filter is comprised of a pulp which is comprised of lignin-containing fibers derived from a fiber source having a lignin content of at least about 10% by thermomechanically pulping a fiber source under temperature/pressure conditions of 300.degree. F.-350.degree. F./50 psig-120 psig and a refiner energy utilization of about 8-35 HPD/ADT. The locomotive oil filter comprising the pulp of such lignin-containing fibers overcomes the severe problems of filter swelling and plugging due to water in the locomotive oil, while also providing one with improved filtration capacity and good filtration. The use of such lignin-containing fiber pulp also gives one the economic advantage of substitution for the more expensive cotton linter generally used heretofore in railroad/locomotive lube oil filters. The pulp of lignin-containing fibers can be used in combination with other suitable pulps, e.g.

Abstract: Emulsifiable oil-containing waste water is disposed by bringing said waste water into contact with a filter medium comprising a mixture of carbon and powder or granule of a porous ceramic by gravity filtration or pressure filtration, said porous ceramic being prepared by adding a void-forming material to a mixture of at least two members selected from clay, silica and aluminum hydroxide and firing the resulting mixture to form a porous ceramic mainly composed of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating oil, gas, and sand from a waste water stream and for separating oil from oily sand in a waste water stream including an upper oil manager for removing low pressure gas and at the same time collecting and conveying any oil separated from the waste water stream; a sand helix connected to the upper oil manager for separating sand particles and oil particles from the waste water stream; a sand manager connected to the sand helix for collecting sand separated from the stream of waste water and removing oil from the sand; flow controls connected to the sand manager and the lower oil manager for controlling the flow of oil, water and sand through the apparatus; a lower oil manager connected to the flow controls for receiving oil and transferring oil to a storage tank outside of the apparatus; an oil reservoir located beneath the lower oil manager for receiving and containing oil, and an oil helix connected to the lower oil manager for separating trace oil from the waste water st

Abstract: A novel treatment method for recovering halogenated vacuum pump oils such as chlorotrifluoroethylene, from contaminated filter papers. The process utilizes a trichlorotrifluoroethane (TCTFE) solvent and water mixture to extract the oil followed by vacuum distilling the resulting extractive.

Abstract: A process for separating suspended material from a fluid comprising flowing the fluid through a porous matrix. The porous matrix is elastically deformable and restrained at its outlet end. The flow rate is sufficiently large so as to produce non uniform deformation of the porous matrix and thereby a gradient of porosity in the direction of fluid flow. At least a part of the suspended material is separated by retention within the porous matrix. The porous matrix/fluid system has a self cleaning capability.

Abstract: A method and a plant for recovery of oil spilled on a water surface. A marine vessel including a fore body and aft body and a bulwark is provided with a longitudinally extending edge at the deck from which the deck slopes downwards towards a substantially low bulwark which in operating position is below the water surface, thus leaving one side of the deck open to the sea. The sloping deck, the fore body, aft body and bulwark together form an artificial calm bay into which the oil slick can flow. The waves entering the calm bay break against the sloping deck and force the oil at the top of the waves over the edge and then into the interior of the vessel body, where the oil is settled and separated from the body of the water.

Abstract: A method for removing emulsified water from a produced crude oil stream containing up to 65 volume percent water wherein the water-in-produced crude oil emulsion is passed through a bed containing a water saturated coalescing media, preferably sand or crushed quartz whereby the water coalesces to form a water phase and an oil phase essentially free of water. The two phases are allowed to separate by gravity forming an upper crude oil phase containing less than 3 volume percent water, and can be less than one-half volume percent water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method which eliminates centrifugation and decantation steps, to be performed in an automatic manner for carrying out specific binding assay tests, wherein liquid and solid phases are present.According to the invention, use is made of a specially designed device, consisting of a mixing reservoir into which is fitted snugly a mixer separator having a channel in the vertical axis of the mixer-separator. A rack holding a number of said mixing reservoirs containing the incubated reagents and analytes, capped with the mixer separators, is placed into a press-device designed to perform at a controlled rate a downward movement. The mixer separators are pushed downwards into the mixing reservoirs at a chosen rate for a preselected distance to complete the mass transport and separation operations. The separation devices are removed and either one of the separated phases can be measured in the desired analytical instrument for a quantitative or qualitative determination.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air cleaner which directs dirty air onto the surface of a scrubbing liquid (41, 141) plus recirculates the scrubbing liquid and air contaminants through a cleaning liquid (43, 143). Additionally, filters (17, 117) may be provided across the recirculation path of the scrubbing liquid. This two liquid system provides a sufficient volume to establish a good recirculation pattern for practical scrubbing and also minimizes the amount of scrubbing liquid; the two liquids may be oil (the scrubbing liquid) floating on water (the cleaning liquid).

Abstract: A filter system using at least two filter vessels with a plurality of filter elements having absolute filtration capability. The filter elements use a nominal filter of diatomaceous earth, or a Perlite filter aid precoat layer, an outer wire layer, an absolute filter layer, a fine wire layer, a coarse wire layer, and a tube core for receiving filter flow therein. A pump is provided for injecting a predetermined amount of filter aid to a precoat tank containing clean fluid. The slurry of filter aid and clean fluid is then pumped into one of the filter vessels for precoating the filtering elements. The unfiltered fluid is then allowed to enter the vessel and be filtered through the filtering elements while virgin filter aid is continuously injected into the unfiltered fluids prior to the fluids entering the filter vessel. One filter vessel is converted to a cleaning mode while the second filter vessel continues filtering in response to a signal in a differential pressure element.

Abstract: The present invention proposes the utilization of a bed of finely divided, naturally occurring, strongly hydrophilic, strongly oleophobic materials for the coalescent removal of oil from water-oil mixtures containing appreciable amounts of entrained gas, such as crude oil. Preferably, the bed materials have a water wetting-to-oil wetting ratio greater than about three and are of a particle size ranging from about 20 mesh to about 60 mesh. Specifically utilized materials include fruit pit shells and nut shells such as apricot pit shells, peach pit shells, walnut shells and the like. The method consists of flowing a water-oil mixture containing entrained gas through a deep bed of fine particles and coalescing the oil internally of the bed into globules of a size incapable of passing through the interstices of the bed.

Abstract: Oil-water mixtures are by-products of a number of known commercial activities such as crude oil production and power plant operation. Disposition of such mixtures in most all cases is prohibited by environmental regulation. Disposition may be effected, however, after separation of the oil from the water. This separation may be accomplished in a deepbed type filter. Where the oil in the water is unusually viscous or has a waxy, tar-like, or sticky consistency, for example, rejuvenation of the filter bed is enhanced by the addition of a small amount of a solvating liquid to the oil-water mixture before filtering.

Abstract: A filter capable of separating and removing water semi-permanently from oil by effectively transforming water which is finely, stably dispersed in oil into coarse drops, which filter is composed of a fiber assembly formed with a particular binder, and a method for separating and removing water by passing the oil to be treated through said filter.

Abstract: For separating oil from aqueous or solvent dispersions the dispersion is passed through a porous flat-shaped textile article which comprises at least partly of oleophilic fibres each having a titer below 1 dtex. The flat-shaped textile article is preferably a three dimensional article, and can have a pile and possibly also a substrate comprising of extremely fine oleophilic artificial fibres. The pile threads and eventually also the threads of the substrate are split by means of a swelling agent into many extremely fine oleophilic fibres having a low titer. The small and very small oil drops in the dispersion are withheld on the extremely fine oleophilic fibres and coalesce to larger oil droplets or oil drops which rise to the surface of the liquid due to their lower density than the liquid. The oil can be easily removed from the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a hydrocarbon charge by high temperature ultrafiltration, said process comprising the steps of circulating said charge in a module comprising at least one mineral ultrafiltration barrier coated with a sensitive mineral layer of at least one metal oxide and of operating at a temperature higher than 100.degree. C. The barrier, which preferably has a ceramic or metallic support, is coated with a sensitive layer selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, aluminium oxide, spinel MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, silica. The invention is applicable to the regeneration of a waste oil and to the reduction of the rate of asphaltenes in a hydrocarbon charge.

Abstract: A cartridge (7) for removing contaminants from a liquid comprises (a) a central inlet or outlet, (b) a circumferential outlet or inlet for radial flow through the cartridge and (c) a resilient, helically coiled plate (8) permeable to liquid. One edge of the plate is secured at or near the central inlet or outlet, the other edge is secured at or near the circumferential outlet or inlet and means is provided for tensioning the plate.The cartridge may be used in a filter.It may be modified by adding a fibrous layer to the coiled plate. This renders it suitable for use as a coalescer.

Abstract: The method of breaking down emulsions resides in that the emulsion is made to bubble through a coalescent matter of a pelletized polymeric material featuring its specific gravity below that of the lighter emulsion component, said matter being filled with said lighter component of the emulsion under process and being exposed to effect of the field of centrifugal forces. The device for breaking down emulsions is in fact a centrifugal separator whose bowl has the respective chambers for the lighter and the heavier emulsion components to collect, said chambers communicating with the bowl interior space. A perforated inlet sleeve is provided coaxially with the bowl axis for admission of the emulsion being broken down to admit, while the bowl interior is filled with the coalescent matter made of the pelletized polymeric material.

Abstract: Removal of a first liquid, such as water, from a tank containing a second liquid of lower specific gravity, such as diesel fuel, is achieved with a liquid trap chamber into which the first liquid is delivered by a primer wick and from which the first liquid is withdrawn by an exhaust wick or pump. The primer wick transversely fills an in-flow passage above a downward-facing inlet opening of that passage. The first liquid is drawn from the tank by the primer wick, which spills that liquid over a weir into the liquid trap chamber. The bottom of the liquid trap chamber is disposed at a level below said inlet opening. The exhaust wick is disposed to transversely fill an outlet passage disposed above the liquid trap chamber with the bottom of the exhaust wick or pump sensor positioned at least as high as the top of the primer wick.

Abstract: A process is provided for filtration of aqueous oil-containing brines that are substantially free from viscosity-increasing agents, which comprises adding to the aqueous oil-containing brine having a tendency to contaminate and plug a filter a sufficient amount of an oxidizing agent capable of reacting with plugging contaminants present in the brine to alleviate the plugging tendency, thereby extending filter life.

Abstract: A regenerative filter having particular application for removal of oil from water. The filter includes a bed of finely divided particles or media separated in three horizontal layers. The top layer is comprised of anthracite particles, the middle layer of silica sand particles, and the bottom layer of garnet sand particles. The filter bed is supported within the filter vessel by a strata of relatively coarse support particles located beneath the bottom layer of filter media. The oil-contaminated water is fed into the top of the vessel and flows through the filter bed and supporting strata to a manifold at the bottom of the tower where it is discharged. By proper selection of the type and size of the media, effective removal of oil from the water is achieved during filtering and loss of media and intermixing of the layers is prevented during the back washing cycle.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation of mixtures of liquids insoluble in each other, e.g., water and oil, where the mixture of liquids is brought into contact, from one side, with a fabric allowing only one of the liquids to pass so that the liquids can be collected separately.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream containing particulate and water-soluble compound is purified by admixture therewith of an aqueous solution followed by electrostatic precipitation of the aqueous and particulate phases from the hydrocarbon phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the particulate phase and recycled. Preferably, the aqueous phase is fractionated recovering methanol overhead and recycling a portion of the kettle product containing primarily water and not more than 20 volume percent ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A side stream monitoring device for a main unit such as a vessel, which effectively has the same geometrical and dynamic characteristics as those corresponding components in the vessel for enabling the side stream monitor to provide a ready indication and continuous monitor of the performance characteristics and quality of the corresponding components in the vessel, upon removal and testing or examination of the device. The apparatus and method for monitoring have particular utility in connection with clay filters or filter separators which are used for the removal of contaminants from, e.g. jet fuels. In each case a bypass side stream is disposed between the inlet and outlet lines of the filter or filter separator and located within the bypass line is a device which effectively is a reduced scale replica of a portion of the main unit which corresponds to the critical operating components thereof.

Abstract: Solid contaminants are removed from tramp oil containing aqueous emulsions, the emulsions are separated into reusable constituents and the separated aqueous liquid is recycled. Apparatus and method are provided especially for reclaiming solvents, washing solutions, lubricating oil, cutting oil and the like from installations for cleaning, quenching or washing oil coated stampings, parts, and the like. Dirt, grit, scale and the like contaminants are filtered out from used industrial cleaning solutions, the liquid components are coalesced into reusable constituents and the aqueous component is continuously recycled for re-use without loss of dissolved chemicals or consumption of energy for heating or cooling.

Abstract: Mobile apparatus and a method for reprocessing waste crank case oil product and mixing this product with fuel oil in preselected proportions to render said product useful as a fuel. The apparatus is designed to be mounted on a vehicle so that processing is done in situ with the waste oil product being withdrawn, reprocessed, mixed, and discharged into the fuel oil tank taking place at the same time.

Abstract: A method of recycling and purifying water-soluble cutting agents is disclosed. The used water-soluble cutting agent is recycled by filtering through an oil-water separating filter consisting of a porous sheet and an oil-water separating layer composed essentially of a water-insoluble and water absorbable gel layer, which is formed on a surface portion of the porous sheet and is adapted to be contacted with the cutting agent and/or surface portions of the porous sheet serving as flow path.

Abstract: A composition comprising water, food compatible acid and porous rhyolite carrier, and a method of treating used fryer cooking oil are disclosed.

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

Abstract: A method of separating an oil-and-water phase from an oil-and-water emulsion, which method comprises passing the emulsion first through a wall of a prefilter composed first of fibres having an energy of adhesion of from 2 to 50 ergs/cm.sup.2 to form larger oil droplets, and, thereafter, passing the larger oil droplets and the emulsion through adjacent layers of glass fibres, to separate the oil phase from the oil-and-water emulsion, and then collecting and removing the oil phase, while permitting the passage of an essentially oil-free water phase of the emulsion from the prefilter.

Abstract: A system for treating organic emulsions by separating by coalescence the disperse phase from the dispersion phase of the emulsion includes a single enclosed chamber having therein a lower destabilizing area, a central filtering and coalescence area, and an upper flotation and separation area. An emulsion to be treated is continuously introduced and passed upwardly through the destabilizing area, the filtering and coalescence area and the flotation and separation area. The flotation and separation area includes a center portion positioned vertically above the filtering and coalescence area and at least one lateral portion in flow communication with the center portion and extending laterally downwardly along a side of the filtering and coalescence area and the destabilizing area. The lateral portion of the flotation and separation area is laterally separated from the filtering and coalescence area and from the destabilizing area by a partition.

Abstract: Separation of a suspension of two immiscible fluid components is accomplished in a cylindrical pressure vessel divided into a main chamber and, at one axial end, a secondary chamber. A series of sinusoidal plates in the main chamber provides a tortuous passage for fluid to the secondary chamber. The two components tend to separate during such passage, the less dense component collecting in the upper part of the main chamber and the denser component passing to the secondary chamber. The vessel is provided with an inlet to the main chamber, a first outlet from the main chamber for the less dense component and a second outlet for the denser component exiting from the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A single enclosed chamber includes a lower destabilizing area, a central filtering and coalescence area containing coalescence material, and an upper flotation and separation area. Emulsion is introduced into the lower destabilizing area and is destabilized therein. The emulsion is then passed upwardly into the central filtering and coalescence area. The dispersed phase of the emulsion is attracted to the coalescence material in the form of droplets, and as the emulsion continues to pass upwardly therethrough the droplets grow in size. During passage of the emulsion through the filtering and coalescence material, matter in suspension is filtered from the emulsion. Within the flotation and separation area is located a separation device including a lower convergent portion and an upper divergent portion.

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