US4081338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1976-12-27
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Granted: 1978-03-28
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Expires: 1996-12-27
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion. Briefly, the method includes the steps of adjusting the pH of the oil-in-water emulsion to a pH in the range of 6 to 10. At least one part per million of a cation selected from Fe+2, Fe+3, Al+3, Cu+1 and Cu+2 is added to the oil-in-water emulsion. Thereafter, the oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a dissolvable iron electrode, the electrode being dissolvable by transmitting an electric current thereto. Sufficient electric current is transmitted through the electrode to develop a ferrous ion/oil weight ratio of at least 0.02. After treatment by the dissolvable electrode, the oil-in-water emulsion is held until the emulsion breaks.
Inventors
- 👤 Amos Golovoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:30
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/047; B01D17/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises: adjusting the pH of the oil-in-water emulsion to a pH in the range of 6 to 10; adding to the oil-in-water emulsion at least 1 part per million of a cation or a combination thereof selected from the group of cations consisting essentially of Fe+2, Fe+3, Al+3, Cu+1 and Cu+2; treating the oil-in-water emulsion with a dissolvable iron electrode, said dissolvable iron electrode being dissolved by transmitting an electric current therethrough in an amount sufficient to develop an Fe+2/oil weight ratio of at least 0.02; holding the oil-in-water emulsion treated by said dissolvable electrode until the emulsion breaks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises: adjusting the pH of the oil-in-water emulsion to a pH in the range of 6 to 10; adding to the oil-in-water emulsion at least 1 part per million of a cation or a combination thereof selected from the group of cations consisting essentially of Fe+2, Fe+3, Al+3, Cu+1 and Cu+2; treating the oil-in-water emulsion with a dissolvable iron electrode, said dissolvable iron electrode being dissolved by transmitting an electric current therethrough in an amount sufficient to develop an Fe+2/oil weight ratio of at least 0.02; holding the oil-in-water emulsion treated by said dissolvable electrode until the emulsion breaks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the pH is adjusted to a pH in the range from 6 to 8.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the cation added to the oil-in-water emulsion is in a range of 1 parts per million to 10 parts per million.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the cation added to the oil-in-water emulsion is in a range from 3 parts per million to 5 parts per million, and wherein: the pH is adjusted to a pH in the range from 6 to 8.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the oil-in-water emulsion is treated by said dissolvable metal electrode to develop an Fe+2/oil weight ratio of at least 0.02 but not in excess of 0.05.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 5 wherein: the oil-in-water emulsion is treated by said dissolvable metal electrode to develop an Fe+2/oil weight ratio of about 0.035; wherein the cation added to the oil-in-water emulsion is in a range from 3 parts per million to 5 parts per million, and wherein: the pH is adjusted to a pH in the range from 6 to 8.
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) | 1981-03-27 | 1981-09-26 | 1982-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-27 | 1985-09-26 | 1986-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-27 | 1989-09-26 | 1990-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |