US3876538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for disposing of aqueous sewage and producing fresh water
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-06
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1992-11-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a process for disposing of aqueous sewage and for producing fresh water by coking the sewage in the liquid phase to form gases, coke and an effluent which is extracted with a hot liquid hydrogen to form a hydrocarbon-water solution and a concentrated brine. Cooling of the hydrocarbon-water solution results in the formation of distinct hydrocarbon and water phases which can be separated by gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard V Hess
- 👤 William F Franz
- 👤 Edward L Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:56
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/04; B01D11/0488; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/025; C02F11/00; C02F11/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
IN COMBINATION IN AN AQUEOUS SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS, THE STEPS OF: COKING SAID SEWAGE IN THE LIQUID PHASE IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED FREE OXYGEN TO FORM GASES, COKE AND A HOT AQUEOUS EFFLUENT CONTAINING DISSOLVED INORGANIC SALTS; AIR OXIDIZING SAID EFFLUENT TO FURTHER REDUCE THE COD AND BOD THEREOF; FLOWING SAID EFFLUENT TO A WATER EXTRACTION ZONE; CONTACTING SAID EFFLUENT WITH A HYDROCARBON HEATED TO ABOVE 500*F. AT A PRESSURE SUCH AS TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST A PART OF SAID HYDROCARBON EFFLUENT MIXTURE IN THE LIQUID PHASE SUCH THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE WATER IN SAID EFFLUENT DISSOLVES IN SAID HYDROCARBON THEREBY FORMING A HOT HYDROCARBON-WATER SOLUTION AND A CONCENTRATED BRINE; SEPARATING SAID SOLUTION FROM SAID BRINE, COOLING SAID SOLUTION TO A TEMPERATURE SUCH AS TO EFFECT THE FORMATION
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
IN COMBINATION IN AN AQUEOUS SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS, THE STEPS OF: COKING SAID SEWAGE IN THE LIQUID PHASE IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED FREE OXYGEN TO FORM GASES, COKE AND A HOT AQUEOUS EFFLUENT CONTAINING DISSOLVED INORGANIC SALTS; AIR OXIDIZING SAID EFFLUENT TO FURTHER REDUCE THE COD AND BOD THEREOF; FLOWING SAID EFFLUENT TO A WATER EXTRACTION ZONE; CONTACTING SAID EFFLUENT WITH A HYDROCARBON HEATED TO ABOVE 500*F. AT A PRESSURE SUCH AS TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST A PART OF SAID HYDROCARBON EFFLUENT MIXTURE IN THE LIQUID PHASE SUCH THAT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE WATER IN SAID EFFLUENT DISSOLVES IN SAID HYDROCARBON THEREBY FORMING A HOT HYDROCARBON-WATER SOLUTION AND A CONCENTRATED BRINE; SEPARATING SAID SOLUTION FROM SAID BRINE, COOLING SAID SOLUTION TO A TEMPERATURE SUCH AS TO EFFECT THE FORMATION
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solution is cooled by heat exchange with incoming sludge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon phase is reheated to between 600.degree.F. and 750.degree.F. and recycled to the said water extraction zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said coke is activated and brought into contact with the separated water phase to further purify same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said coke is burned to heat said hydrocarbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process according to claim 1 further including the steps of cooling said hot hydrocarbon-water solution by heat exchange with said aqueous sewage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said brine is flowed to a heat exchange zone, and cooled by direct contact with compressed air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 7 wherein said compressed air, is heated and used to oxidize said effluent.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |