US3674677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically energized petroleum de-emulsifier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-02
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An electrically energized deemulsifier for separating the constituents of water-petroleum emulsions and the like includes an elongated generally horizontally disposed vessel having an emulsion inlet at one extremity and having a clean fluid discharge at the other extremity thereof. A drain is disposed at the lower portion of the vessel for draining separated fluid such as water. Inflowing emulsion is distorted and deflected downwardly by a scrubber plate that is provided with a plurality of apertures adjacent the lower end thereof that evenly distribute the flow of emulsion and prevent channeling. As the incoming emulsion is turned downwardly by the scrubber plate, free droplets of water will gravitate to the bottom of the vessel. Coalescence of the emulsion is effected as the emulsion flows evenly in a horizontal direction through an electric field developed between spaced high voltage and ground electrodes within the vessel. The high voltage electrode is positively supported during transportation of the vessel and is adjustable to any desired position within the vessel by manipulation of external adjustments. Flashing of volatile products within the vessel is effectively prevented since the unique design of the vessel eliminates any vapor pockets that would present a flash hazard.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:26
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/02; B; B03; B03C; B03C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier comprising an elongated closed horizontally disposed vessel having inlet and discharge walls, a scrubber plate fixed within said vessel in spaced relation to the inlet wall thereof and depending from the upper portion of said vessel, the lower extremity of said scrubber plate being spaced from the bottom portion of said vessel, an emulsion inlet provided in the inlet wall of said vessel whereby emulsion entering said vessel will be impacted directly against said scrubber plate causing distortion of channeling of said emulsion, an overflow discharge plate fixed within said vessel and being disposed in spaced relation to the discharge wall of said vessel, said overflow discharge plate being disposed in spaced relation from the upper portion of said vessel, a plurality of elongated ground electrodes being secured to both said scrubber plate and said overflow discharge plate and being disposed in transversely spaced apart longitudinally parallel, substantially generally vertically extending relationship within said vessel, from scrubber plate to discharge plate, an elongated high voltage electrode and means suspending said high voltage electrode within said vessel, said high voltage electrode having a plurality of elongated electrode plates in transversely spaced apart, longitudinally parallel, substantially generally vertically extending relationship as suspended in substantially equally, transversely spaced apart disposition and substantially equally spaced apart between said ground electrodes, for almost the full length thereof and just short of said scrubber plate and said discharge plate, respectively, whereby fluid passage through said vessel is longitudinally along parallel channels and under continuous electric treatment across said substantially generally vertically extending, opposed high voltage plates and ground electrodes, respectively, an electrical power supply, means establishing electrical connection between said power supply and said high voltage electrode, a clean fluid discharge being provided in said discharge end wall, and a separated liquid drain being provided in the lower portion of said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier comprising an elongated closed horizontally disposed vessel having inlet and discharge walls, a scrubber plate fixed within said vessel in spaced relation to the inlet wall thereof and depending from the upper portion of said vessel, the lower extremity of said scrubber plate being spaced from the bottom portion of said vessel, an emulsion inlet provided in the inlet wall of said vessel whereby emulsion entering said vessel will be impacted directly against said scrubber plate causing distortion of channeling of said emulsion, an overflow discharge plate fixed within said vessel and being disposed in spaced relation to the discharge wall of said vessel, said overflow discharge plate being disposed in spaced relation from the upper portion of said vessel, a plurality of elongated ground electrodes being secured to both said scrubber plate and said overflow discharge plate and being disposed in transversely spaced apart longitudinally parallel, substantially generally vertically extending relationship within said vessel, from scrubber plate to discharge plate, an elongated high voltage electrode and means suspending said high voltage electrode within said vessel, said high voltage electrode having a plurality of elongated electrode plates in transversely spaced apart, longitudinally parallel, substantially generally vertically extending relationship as suspended in substantially equally, transversely spaced apart disposition and substantially equally spaced apart between said ground electrodes, for almost the full length thereof and just short of said scrubber plate and said discharge plate, respectively, whereby fluid passage through said vessel is longitudinally along parallel channels and under continuous electric treatment across said substantially generally vertically extending, opposed high voltage plates and ground electrodes, respectively, an electrical power supply, means establishing electrical connection between said power supply and said high voltage electrode, a clean fluid discharge being provided in said discharge end wall, and a separated liquid drain being provided in the lower portion of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrically energized liquid deemulsifier according to claim 1, said ground electrode plates being of arcuate vertical configuration, said high voltage electrode having a substantially horizontally disposed closed cylinder located centrally of said vessel and having a plurality of plates of arcuate configuration disposed substantially concentric with the horizontal axis of said cylinder, said ground electrode plates being of arcuate vertical configuration and being disposed in substantially concentric relation with the horizontal axis of said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier according to claim 1; a plurality of apertures formed in the lower portion of said scrubber plate causing even distribution of emulsion flowing therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier according to claim 1; said vessel having a plurality of external electrode support projections, electrode hanger support means secUred to said projections, a plurality of electrode hangers extending through said hanger support means and being connected at the lower extremity thereof to said high voltage electrode, means insulating said hangers from said vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier according to claim 4; said electrode support projections having a horizontal top wall and vertical side and end walls defining pockets open toward the interior of said vessel thereby preventing vapor from becoming trapped within said pockets which would otherwise create a flash hazard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier according to claim 4; means for adjusting the vertical position of said electrode hangers whereby said high voltage electrode may be adjusted to any desired position thereof within said vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier according to claim 1; said means suspending said high voltage electrode comprising a plurality of insulated hangers secured to the upper portion of said vessel and extending into said vessel, said hangers being secured to said high voltage electrode, said hangers being externally adjustable to provide for adjustment of the position of said high voltage electrode, at least one of said hangers having an electrical conductor therein and establishing electrical connection between said high voltage electrode and said power supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier comprising an elongated closed substantially horizontally disposed vessel having an emulsion inlet at one extremity and a clean fluid outlet at the opposite extremity thereof, a drain at the bottom of said vessel for draining separated water therefrom, a plurality of ground electrode plates fixed within said vessel and in transversely spaced apart longitudinally parallel, substantially vertically extending relationship, a high voltage electrode being supported within said vessel and having a plurality of high voltage electrode plates in transversely spaced apart, longitudinally generally vertically extending relationship as disposed in substantially equally, transversely spaced apart relationship and substantially equally spaced apart between said ground electrode plates, means within said vessel distorting channelizing of emulsion as it enters the electric field, said emulsion flowing substantially horizontally through said electric field thereby allowing gravitation of water particles including water particles in minimal size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier comprising an elongated closed substantially horizontally disposed vessel having an emulsion inlet at one extremity and a clean fluid outlet at the opposite extremity thereof, a drain at the bottom of said vessel for draining separated water therefrom, a plurality of ground electrode plates fixed within said vessel and in transversely spaced apart longitudinally parallel, substantially vertically extending relationship, a high voltage electrode being supported within said vessel and having a plurality of high voltage electrode plates in transversely spaced apart, longitudinally generally vertically extending relationship as disposed in substantially equally, transversely spaced apart relationship and substantially equally spaced apart between said ground electrode plates, means within said vessel distorting channelizing of emulsion as it enters the electric field, said emulsion flowing substantially horizontally through said electric field thereby allowing gravitation of water particles including water particles in minimal size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier as recited in claim 8; said means for distorting channeling of the emulsion comprising a scrubber plate fixed within said vessel adjacent the inlet extremity thereof, the lower extremity of said scrubber plate being spared from the bottom wall of said vessel, a plurality of apertures formed in the lower portion of said scrubber plate, an overflow discharge plate fixed within said vessel adjacent the outlet extremity thereof and having its upper extremity spaced from the top wall of said vessel, a plurality of apertures formed in the upper portion of said overflow discharge plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier as recited in claim 9; said ground electrode plates being vertically curved and being substantially concentrically disposed within said vessel, said ground electrode plates being fixed to said scrubber plate and to said overflow discharge plate, said high voltage electrode plates being vertically curved and being substantially concentrically disposed within said vessel, a high voltage cylinder secured to said high voltage electrode and being longitudinally suspended centrally of said vessel and concentrically with said high voltage and ground electrode plates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier as recited in claim 8; means positively securing said high voltage electrode during shipment of said vessel, said securing means being removable to allow said high voltage electrode to be freely suspended within said vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrically energized deemulsifier as recitEd in claim 11; said means for positively securing said high voltage electrode comprising a tube extending transversely through both said high voltage and ground electrode plates and being secured to said high voltage electrode plates and being spaced from said ground electrode plates, sleeve means extending through apertures formed in said vessel and engaging said high voltage electrode, a locking bar extending through said sleeve means and said tube, nut means received by at least one extremity of said locking bar and securing said locking bar said tube and said sleeve means in assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |