US3898058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum stripping of hydrocarbon contaminated water streams
Assignee: AUBREY SAM
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Filing: 1973-04-12
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Hydrocarbons or other matter which contaminate water streams are removed in a process wherein a vacuum is applied to a contacting vessel in which the contaminated stream has been introduced. There may be packing or trays or other means within the vessel to assist in filming or distributing the liquid for more effective removal of the hydrocarbon contaminates by the vacuum draw. The withdrawn contaminates are then compressed, condensed and separated for removal of gaseous and liquid forms of hydrocarbons. Any water resulting is recycled back to the contacting vessel. An additional embodiment includes the injection of a high vapor pressure stripping gas into the contacting vessel which flows counter-currently to the introduced contaminated water and thus aid in an effective removal of the hydrocarbon therewith. The invention further contemplates a multiple stage system.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Mcgill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:35
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/58; C02F1/586; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/044; B01D17/048; B01D19/00; B01D19/0005; C02F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A PROCESS OF REMOVING HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATES FROM A WATER STREAM COMPRISING: MAINTAINING SAID STREAM AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 40*F., INTRODUCING SAID CONTAMINATED STREAM INTO A CONTACTING VESSEL, MAINTAINING A VACUUM IN SAID CONTACTING VESSEL BY A VACUUM PUMP WHERETHROUGH ESSENTIALLY SAID HYDROCARBONS PLUS SOME WATER ARE WITHDRAWN AS VAPORS, AND DISPOSED, INTRODUCING A HIGH VAPOR PRESSURE STRIPPING GAS INTO SAID VESSEL IN COUNTERCURRENT CONTACT WITH SAID CONTAMINATED STREAM, AND REMOVING SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAMINATE FREE WATER FROM SAID CONTACTING VESSEL.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A PROCESS OF REMOVING HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATES FROM A WATER STREAM COMPRISING: MAINTAINING SAID STREAM AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 40*F., INTRODUCING SAID CONTAMINATED STREAM INTO A CONTACTING VESSEL, MAINTAINING A VACUUM IN SAID CONTACTING VESSEL BY A VACUUM PUMP WHERETHROUGH ESSENTIALLY SAID HYDROCARBONS PLUS SOME WATER ARE WITHDRAWN AS VAPORS, AND DISPOSED, INTRODUCING A HIGH VAPOR PRESSURE STRIPPING GAS INTO SAID VESSEL IN COUNTERCURRENT CONTACT WITH SAID CONTAMINATED STREAM, AND REMOVING SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAMINATE FREE WATER FROM SAID CONTACTING VESSEL.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 including filming said contaminated strEam across packing material in said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said contaminate includes a weak acid, the step of lowering the pH of said stream to an acid condition prior to its introduction into said contacting vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said weak acid is hydrogen sulfide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said weak acid is carbon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said contaminate includes a basic compound, the step of raising the pH of said stream to a base condition prior to its introduction into said contacting vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said basic compound is ammonia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said water stream is caused to flow through a first contacting vessel to which said vacuum is applied and thence to a second contacting vessel to which additional vacuum is applied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process of removing hydrocarbon contaminates from a water stream comprising: maintaining said stream at a temperature of at least 40* F.; introducing said contaminated stream into a contacting vessel; maintaining a vacuum in said contacting vessel by a liquid ring vacuum pump wherethrough essentially said hydrocarbons plus some water are withdrawn as vapors, and compressed: causing those of said withdrawn vapors, that can, to essentially condense in said pump liquid; separating and removing gaseous and/or liquid hydrocarbons from any condensed water; recycling and cooling a portion of said condensed water to said pump; and recycling another portion of said condensed water to said contaminated stream or to said contacting vessel; and removing contaminate free water from said contacting vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process of removing hydrocarbon contaminates from a water stream comprising: maintaining said stream at a temperature of at least 40* F.; introducing said contaminated stream into a contacting vessel; maintaining a vacuum in said contacting vessel by a liquid ring vacuum pump wherethrough essentially said hydrocarbons plus some water are withdrawn as vapors, and compressed: causing those of said withdrawn vapors, that can, to essentially condense in said pump liquid; separating and removing gaseous and/or liquid hydrocarbons from any condensed water; recycling and cooling a portion of said condensed water to said pump; and recycling another portion of said condensed water to said contaminated stream or to said contacting vessel; and removing contaminate free water from said contacting vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said vacuum is maintained by: causing motive gas to be drawn by said vacuum pump through an ejector; withdrawing vapors from said contacting vessel by the action of the vacuum created by said ejector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said motive gas is separated gaseous hydrocarbons and/or air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 9 including the step of introducing a high vapor pressure stripping gas into said vessel in countercurrent contact with said contaminated stream.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |