US3923644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for re-refining used petroleum products
Assignee: Petrocon Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-11
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-10-11
Abstract
Abstract Used petroleum products, such as crankcase oils, are reclaimed by an initial treatment step consisting of flash vaporization with continuous recirculation of a substantial portion of the unvaporized liquid. At atmospheric pressure and 210*-240* F, water comprises substantially all of the overhead product and this may be vented to the atmosphere. The unvaporized liquid product is mechanically filtered through a vibratory filter and then successive cannister filters to produce a product which may be used as a fuel oil or further refined into various fuel and/or lubricant products in successive flash distillation stages. In the preferred embodiment, three such stages are operated, respectively, at 300*-400* F and 24-28 inches mercury, 600*650* F, and 7 torr, and 630*-680* F and 1 1/2 -3 torr.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Hindman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:22
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10M; C10M175/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
IN A PROCESS OF REFINING A USED HYDROCARBON OIL WHEREIN A USED OIL IS DISTILLED AND FILTERED FOR RE-USE, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING FLASH VAPORIZING SAID USED OIL IN AN EVAPORATOR IN WHICH THE INTERNAL CONDITIONS ARE MAINTAINED AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND 210*-240*F, AND CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATING A VAPORIZED PORTION FROM AN UNVAPORIZED LIQUID PORTION FROM CONTINUOUSLY REMOVING SAID UNVAPORIZED LIQUID PORTION FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID EVAPORATOR, AND THEN MECHANICALLY FILTERING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE UNVAPORIZED LIQUID REMOVED FROM SAID EVAPORATOR.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
IN A PROCESS OF REFINING A USED HYDROCARBON OIL WHEREIN A USED OIL IS DISTILLED AND FILTERED FOR RE-USE, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING FLASH VAPORIZING SAID USED OIL IN AN EVAPORATOR IN WHICH THE INTERNAL CONDITIONS ARE MAINTAINED AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND 210*-240*F, AND CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATING A VAPORIZED PORTION FROM AN UNVAPORIZED LIQUID PORTION FROM CONTINUOUSLY REMOVING SAID UNVAPORIZED LIQUID PORTION FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID EVAPORATOR, AND THEN MECHANICALLY FILTERING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE UNVAPORIZED LIQUID REMOVED FROM SAID EVAPORATOR.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A PROCESS FOR RE-REFINING A UUSED HYDROCARBON OIL, AS RECITED IN CLAIM 1, WHEREIN AT LEAST A PORTION OF UNVAPORIZED LIQUID REMOVED FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID EVAPORATOR IS PASSED AT RELATIVELY LOW PRESSURE THROOUGH A VIBRATORY FILTER HAVING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SCREEN FILTER ELEMMENT HAVING OPENINGS ON THE ORDER OF 40-45 MICRONS.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A PROCESS OF RE-REFINING A USED HYDROCARBON OIL, AS RECITED IN CLAIM 2, WHEREIN THE FILTERATE FROM SAID VIBRATORY FILTER IS FURTHER FILTERED TO REMOVE REMAINING PARTILCES HAVING A MAXIMUM DIMENSION LARGER THAN 3 MICRONS.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process of re-refining a used hydrocarbon oil wherein said filtered liquid is subsequently flash vaporized at 24-28 inches Hg and 300*-400* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process of re-refining a used hydrocarbon oil wherein said filtered liquid is subsequently flash vaporized at 24-28 inches Hg and 300*-400* F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process, as recited in claim 4, wherein the overhead vapor stream from said subsequent flash vaporization is condensed and water therein is separated by gravity separation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process, as recited in claim 5, wherein unvaporized liquid removed from said subsequent evaporator is heated to 600*-680* F and successively flash evaporated at 7 torr and 1 1/2 - 3 torr, the vaporized overhead streams from said 7 and 1 1/2 - 3 torr evaporation steps being condensed and steam stripped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process, as recited in claim 1, wherein the fresh feed stream of said used oil is mixed with a substantially larger quantity of recycled, heated, unvaporized liquid removed from the bottom of said flash evaporator, said mixing taking place as said fresh feed stream is introduced into the vessel where said 210*-240*F, atmospheric pressure flash evaporation occurs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |