US4014780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of oil from refinery sludges by steam distillation
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-14
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Granted: 1977-03-29
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Expires: 1995-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A process for deoiling and dewatering refinery sludges in which sludges, optionally mixed with a diluent oil such as recycle oil recovered in the process, are contacted in a heating zone with steam or superheated steam to effect separation of the sludges into dry, oil-free, free-flowing solids and an oil-water vapor phase which on condensation yields a mixture of oil and water. The oil recovered from this mixture is suitable for a variety of purposes such as for cracking stock, etc. and the water recovered exhibits a reduced Chemical Oxygen Demand. The dry, free flowing solids recovered from the heating zone are useful for a wide variety of applications, such as for land fill.
Inventors
- 👤 Drew E. McCoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:59
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F11/00; C02F11/002; C10; C10G; C10G33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A continuous process for deoiling and dewatering refinery sludges which comprises: a. introducing the sludge into a heating zone, b. contacting the sludge in the said heating zone with steam thereby effecting separation of the sludge into an oil-water vapor phase and a dry, free-flowing solids phase, c. withdrawing from the upper part of the said heating zone the oil-water vapor phase and from the lower part the dry, free flowing solids phase, d. condensing the said oil-water vapor phase thereby forming a mixture of oil and water, e. separating and recovering water and oil from the said mixture, and wherein prior to introducing the sludge into the heating zone in step (a) about 0.5 to about 2.0 volumes of hydrocarbon oil are mixed with each volume of the sludge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A continuous process for deoiling and dewatering refinery sludges which comprises: a. introducing the sludge into a heating zone, b. contacting the sludge in the said heating zone with steam thereby effecting separation of the sludge into an oil-water vapor phase and a dry, free-flowing solids phase, c. withdrawing from the upper part of the said heating zone the oil-water vapor phase and from the lower part the dry, free flowing solids phase, d. condensing the said oil-water vapor phase thereby forming a mixture of oil and water, e. separating and recovering water and oil from the said mixture, and wherein prior to introducing the sludge into the heating zone in step (a) about 0.5 to about 2.0 volumes of hydrocarbon oil are mixed with each volume of the sludge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (b) the sludge is contacted with superheated steam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (b) the temperature of the steam is from about 250° to about 700° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said sludge is preheated prior to step (a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (e) the oil and the water are separated gravimetrically.
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) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |