US4021335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for upgrading black oils
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
•
Filing: 1975-06-17
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for removing ash, asphaltenic, metallic and sulfurous contaminants from a black oil by contacting said oil with a liquid paraffinic solvent in the presence of water.
Inventors
- 👤 William Ingram Beaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:37
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G21/00; C10G21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a process for treating a heavy hydrocarbon fraction containing ash, asphaltenic, metallic, and sulfurous contaminants by contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction with a liquid paraffinic solvent at an elevated temperature below the critical temperature of said solvent and under a pressure sufficiently high to maintain said solvent in the liquid phase, to form a flocculated asphaltene phase and a deasphalted oil phase having a substantially reduced content of said contaminants than that in the heavy hydrocarbon fraction, the improvement comprising: (a) contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction with a liquid paraffinic solvent containing from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms per molecule, in the presence of a nonionic polymeric polyester organic demulsifying agent and from about 1 to about 40% by weight of added water based on the weight of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction, and at a temperature from about 70° to about 400° F., wherein the ratio of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to said solvent is from about 1:2 to about 1:5 by weight, and wherein the amount of said demulsifying agent is from about 1 to about 200 quarts per 1000 barrels of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and (b) separating said flocculated asphaltene phase from the deasphalted oil phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a process for treating a heavy hydrocarbon fraction containing ash, asphaltenic, metallic, and sulfurous contaminants by contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction with a liquid paraffinic solvent at an elevated temperature below the critical temperature of said solvent and under a pressure sufficiently high to maintain said solvent in the liquid phase, to form a flocculated asphaltene phase and a deasphalted oil phase having a substantially reduced content of said contaminants than that in the heavy hydrocarbon fraction, the improvement comprising: (a) contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction with a liquid paraffinic solvent containing from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms per molecule, in the presence of a nonionic polymeric polyester organic demulsifying agent and from about 1 to about 40% by weight of added water based on the weight of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction, and at a temperature from about 70° to about 400° F., wherein the ratio of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to said solvent is from about 1:2 to about 1:5 by weight, and wherein the amount of said demulsifying agent is from about 1 to about 200 quarts per 1000 barrels of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and (b) separating said flocculated asphaltene phase from the deasphalted oil phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the concentration of said demulsifying agent is in the range of from about 5 to about 10 quarts per 1,000 barrels of the heavy hydrocarbon fraction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said demulsifying agent is an organic acid ester of a high molecular weight polypropylene triol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure is from about 1 atmosphere to about 20 atmospheres gauge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the amount of added water is from about 5 to about 20% by weight based on the weight of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of pentane, hexane, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to said solvent is about 1:2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature is about 100° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and said solvent are contacted for a period in the range from about 10 to about 20 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heavy hydrocarbon fraction contains up to about 14 weight percent of water and sand.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |