US4040926A — Electrofiltration process for purifying organic l…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 187 words

An electrofiltration process for removing hydrogenation catalyst and other undissolved solids from a stream of edible oil which has been subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, said process comprising: a. providing the stream of so hydrogenated edible oil at a sufficient temperature that organic solids such as stearine are in solution and cannot plug an electrofilter bed adapted to remove the undissolved solids carried therein; b. passing said stream of oil through a chemically inert bed having multitudinous flow channels between rigid masses of a solid material having a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; c. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the undissolved solids from said stream of oil by electrically induced adhesion of the solids in said bed material; d. removing the purified oil stream with reduced undissolved solids content from said bed; and e. cleaning at selected intervals at least a portion of said material of adhering solids by interruption of said electrical field, passing a cleaning fluid to remove adhering solids from said material and removing the fluid with the removed solids from said material.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 187 words

An electrofiltration process for removing hydrogenation catalyst and other undissolved solids from a stream of edible oil which has been subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, said process comprising: a. providing the stream of so hydrogenated edible oil at a sufficient temperature that organic solids such as stearine are in solution and cannot plug an electrofilter bed adapted to remove the undissolved solids carried therein; b. passing said stream of oil through a chemically inert bed having multitudinous flow channels between rigid masses of a solid material having a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; c. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the undissolved solids from said stream of oil by electrically induced adhesion of the solids in said bed material; d. removing the purified oil stream with reduced undissolved solids content from said bed; and e. cleaning at selected intervals at least a portion of said material of adhering solids by interruption of said electrical field, passing a cleaning fluid to remove adhering solids from said material and removing the fluid with the removed solids from said material.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein said cleaning of said material of adhering solids is undertaken when the purified stream of hydrogenated edible oil approaches conditions of increased solids content by solids-fillup of said bed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 45 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein immediately prior to cleaning said bed, a dry, inert non-oxidizing gas is passed through said bed with said d.c. electrical field established therein to displace the purified organic liquid from said bed without displacement of the adhering solids.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 57 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein said material comprises particles of a mineral containing crystalline silicon dioxide, said mineral having a hardness value of at least 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a specific gravity being about 2.5 and about 2.9, a dielectric constant of about 4 and a discontinuous surface configuration provided by nature.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 4 wherein said particles are crushed flint with average particle size of about 2.5 mm.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 4 wherein the cleaning fluid is the purified hydrogenated edible oil adjusted in temperature until organic solids are in solution and cannot plug said bed.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 53 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 6 wherein immediately after cleaning of said bed material with the purified hydrogenated edible oil, a dry, inert non-oxidizing gas is passed through said bed to displace the purified hydrogenated edible oil serving as the cleaning fluid from said bed prior to establishment of said d.c. electrical field.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 146 words

An electrofiltration process for removing solids from an organic liquid stream comprising: a. passing said liquid stream through a bed of chemically inert, hard granular particles of a rigid, substantially incompressible material, said particles being non-spheroidal with a relatively discontinuous surface configuration and a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; b. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the solids from the organic liquid stream by electrically induced adhesion of the solids on said particles; c. removing the purified organic liquid stream with reduced solids content from said bed; and d. cleaning at selected intervals at least a portion of said particles of adhering solids by interrupting said electrical field, passing a cleaning fluid through the bed to remove adhering solids from said particles and removing the fluid with the removed solids from said particles being cleaned.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 146 words

An electrofiltration process for removing solids from an organic liquid stream comprising: a. passing said liquid stream through a bed of chemically inert, hard granular particles of a rigid, substantially incompressible material, said particles being non-spheroidal with a relatively discontinuous surface configuration and a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; b. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the solids from the organic liquid stream by electrically induced adhesion of the solids on said particles; c. removing the purified organic liquid stream with reduced solids content from said bed; and d. cleaning at selected intervals at least a portion of said particles of adhering solids by interrupting said electrical field, passing a cleaning fluid through the bed to remove adhering solids from said particles and removing the fluid with the removed solids from said particles being cleaned.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 8 wherein said cleaning of the particles of adhering solids is undertaken when the purified organic liquid stream approaches conditions of increased solids content by solids-fillup of said bed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of said stream of hydrogenated edible oil is adjusted to not less than about 150° F. before passage into said bed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 9 wherein said particles are crushed flint with average particle size of about 2.5 mm.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 85 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein the purified said hydrogenated edible oil stream from said bed is optically scanned to detect when the purified organic liquid stream degrades to a predetermined optical quality by increased solids content from solids-fillup of said bed and wherein when said predetermined optical quality is detected said electrical field is interrupted, a cleaning fluid passed is through said bed to remove adhering solids from said particles and the cleaning fluid with the removed solids is removed from said bed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 157 words

A bright and clear hydrogenated edible oil obtained by the process comprising: a. hydrogenating an edible oil at elevated pressures and temperature in the presence of a suspended hydrogenation catalyst carrying a catalytic metal in a small concentration on an inert inorganic solid carrier; b. passing through an electrofilter the hydrogenated edible oil carrying suspended hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperature whereat organic solids, such as stearine, remain in solution, the electrofilter having a bed of chemically inert, hard granular particles of a rigid, substantially incompressible material, said particles being non-spheroidal with a relatively discontinuous surface configuration and a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7, said bed subject to a d.c. electrical field of an intensity sufficient for removing substantially completely the suspended hydrogenation catalyst from the hydrogenated edible oil by electrically induced adhesion of the hydrogenation catalyst on said particles; and c. removing said hydrogenated edible oil from the electrofilter substantially free of hydrogenation catalyst.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 157 words

A bright and clear hydrogenated edible oil obtained by the process comprising: a. hydrogenating an edible oil at elevated pressures and temperature in the presence of a suspended hydrogenation catalyst carrying a catalytic metal in a small concentration on an inert inorganic solid carrier; b. passing through an electrofilter the hydrogenated edible oil carrying suspended hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperature whereat organic solids, such as stearine, remain in solution, the electrofilter having a bed of chemically inert, hard granular particles of a rigid, substantially incompressible material, said particles being non-spheroidal with a relatively discontinuous surface configuration and a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7, said bed subject to a d.c. electrical field of an intensity sufficient for removing substantially completely the suspended hydrogenation catalyst from the hydrogenated edible oil by electrically induced adhesion of the hydrogenation catalyst on said particles; and c. removing said hydrogenated edible oil from the electrofilter substantially free of hydrogenation catalyst.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 58 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 13 wherein the electrofilter has particles of a mineral containing crystalline silicon dioxide, said mineral having a hardness value of at least 7, on the Mohs scale of hardness, a specific gravity between about 2.5 and about 2.9, a dielectric constant of about 4 and a discontinuous surface configuration provided by nature.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 14 wherein the electrofilter has particles of crushed flint with an average particle size of 2.5 mm.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 13 wherein the bed of the electrofilter is energized with a potential gradient of at least 20 kv per inch spacing in the bed.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 13 wherein the bed of the electrofilter is energized with a potential gradient of about 40 kv per inch spacing in the bed.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 13 wherein the hydrogenated edible oil in its entirety from the electrofilter has a 10 filter disc impurity test number.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 4 wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of flint, garnet, granite and fused quartz.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 1 wherein said material comprises hard granular particles of a rigid, substantially incompressible material, said particles being non-spheroidal and with a relatively discontinuous surface configuration.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 50 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 20 wherein said particles are those of a mineral containing crystalline silicon dioxide, said mineral having a hardness value of at least 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a specific gravity between about 2.5 and about 2.9 and a dielectric constant of about 4.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 21 wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of flint, garnet, granite and fused quartz.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 20 wherein said stream of hydrogenated edible oil is passed through said bed at a superficial rate of about 12 inches per minute during removal of solids from said stream.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 21 wherein the cleaning fluid is purified said hydrogenated edible oil adjusted in temperature until said organic solids are in solution and cannot plug said bed.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 41 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 24 wherein said purified hydrogenated edible oil providing the cleaning fluid is passed through said bed at a superficial rate of at least 16 inches per minute during removal of the adhering solids from the particles.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 85 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 20 wherein the purified said hydrogenated edible oil stream from said bed is optically scanned to detect when the purified organic liquid stream degrades to a predetermined optical quality by increased solids content from solids-fillup of said bed and wherein when said predetermined optical quality is detected said electrical field is interrupted, a cleaning fluid passed is through said bed to remove adhering solids from said particles and the cleaning fluid with the removed solids is removed from said bed.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 44 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 26 wherein the sequence of steps including the interruption of the electrical field, and the passing and removal of the cleaning fluid is initiated automatically in response to a signal indicating that said predetermined optical quality has been detected.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 45 words

The process of claim 26 wherein, prior to interrupting said electrical field, a dry, inert, non-oxidizing gas is passed through said bed with the d.c. electrical field established to displace the purified said hydrogenated edible oil from said bed without displacement of the adhering solids.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 12 wherein the sequence of steps including the interruption of the electrical field, and the passing and removal of the cleaning fluid is initiated automatically in response to a signal indicating that said predetermined optical quality has been detected.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 50 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 8 wherein said particles are those of a mineral containing crystalline silicon dioxide, said mineral having a hardness value of at least 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a specific gravity between about 2.5 and about 2.9 and a dielectric constant of about 4.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 30 wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of flint, garnet, granite and fused quartz.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 31 wherein said particles are crushed flint with average particle size of about 2.5 mm.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 8 wherein said organic liquid stream is passed through said bed at a superficial rate of about 12 inches per minute during removal of solids from said stream.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 30 wherein the cleaning fluid is the purified organic liquid.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 34 wherein the organic liquid stream providing the cleaning fluid is passed through said bed at a superficial rate of at least 16 inches per minute during removal of the adhering solids from the particles.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 83 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 8 wherein the purified organic liquid stream from said bed is optically scanned to detect when the purified organic liquid stream degrades to a predetermined optical quality by increased solids content from solids-fillup of said bed and wherein when said predetermined optical quality is detected, said electrical field is interrupted, a cleaning fluid is passed through said bed to remove adhering solids from said particles and the cleaning fluid with the removed solids is removed from said bed.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 44 words

The electrofiltration process of claim 36 wherein the sequence of steps including the interruption of the electrical field and the passing and removal of the cleaning fluid is initiated automatically in response to a signal indicating that said predetermined optical quality has been detected.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 37 words

The process of claim 8 wherein, prior to interrupting said electrical field, a dry, inert, non-oxidizing gas is passed through said bed to displace the purified organic liquid from said bed without displacement of the adhering solids.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

The hydrogenated edible oil of claim 14 wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of flint, garnet, granite and fused quartz.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 144 words

An electrofiltration process for removing hydrogenation catalyst and other undissolved solids from a stream of edible oil which has been subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, said process comprising: a. providing the stream of so hydrogenated edible oil at a sufficient temperature that organic solids such as stearine are in solution and cannot plug an electrofilter bed adapted to remove the undissolved solids carried therein; b. passing said stream of oil through a chemically inert bed having multitudinous flow channels between rigid masses of a solid material having a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; c. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the undissolved solids from said stream of oil by electrically induced adhesion of the solids in said bed material; and d. removing the purified oil stream with reduced undissolved solids content from said bed.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 144 words

An electrofiltration process for removing hydrogenation catalyst and other undissolved solids from a stream of edible oil which has been subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, said process comprising: a. providing the stream of so hydrogenated edible oil at a sufficient temperature that organic solids such as stearine are in solution and cannot plug an electrofilter bed adapted to remove the undissolved solids carried therein; b. passing said stream of oil through a chemically inert bed having multitudinous flow channels between rigid masses of a solid material having a dielectric constant not in excess of about 7; c. establishing a d.c. electrical field within said bed having an intensity sufficient for removing the undissolved solids from said stream of oil by electrically induced adhesion of the solids in said bed material; and d. removing the purified oil stream with reduced undissolved solids content from said bed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-08-08	1981-02-07	1981-08-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-08-08	1985-02-07	1985-08-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-08-08	1989-02-07	1989-08-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrofiltration process for purifying organic liquids

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