US4168229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removal of oil from an oil in water emulsion
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-12-19
•
Granted: 1979-09-18
•
Expires: 1997-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for the removal of oil from an oil in water emulsion by contacting the emulsion with a fibrous structure and removing the coalesced oil droplets so formed the improvement being that the fibrous structure comprises inorganic fibers which, in the emulsion, have a positive zeta potential.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Chambers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:46
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for the removal of oil from an oil in water emulsion comprising contacting the emulsion with a fibrous structure comprising fibers having particles on their surface which exhibit oleophilic and hydrophobic properties; allowing the coalesced oil particles to float to the surface of the mixture to form a layer of oil and removing this; contacting the essentially secondary emulsion so formed and characterized by oil droplets of submicron size with a fibrous structure comprising alumina or zirconia fibers which, when immersed in the emulsion, acquire a positive zeta potential; allowing the coalesced oil particles to float to the surface of the water to form a layer of oil and removing this.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for the removal of oil from an oil in water emulsion comprising contacting the emulsion with a fibrous structure comprising fibers having particles on their surface which exhibit oleophilic and hydrophobic properties; allowing the coalesced oil particles to float to the surface of the mixture to form a layer of oil and removing this; contacting the essentially secondary emulsion so formed and characterized by oil droplets of submicron size with a fibrous structure comprising alumina or zirconia fibers which, when immersed in the emulsion, acquire a positive zeta potential; allowing the coalesced oil particles to float to the surface of the water to form a layer of oil and removing this.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for the removal of oil from a secondary emulsion of oil in water consisting essentially of oil droplets of submicron size in water, which comprises contacting the emulsion with a fibrous structure so that the oil droplets coalesce, allowing the coalesced droplets to float to the surface to form a layer of oil and removing said oil layer, the fibrous structure comprising fibers of alumina or zirconia which have an average diameter in the range of 0.5 to 5 microns and which, in the emulsion, have a positive zeta potential.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for the removal of oil from a secondary emulsion of oil in water consisting essentially of oil droplets of submicron size in water, which comprises contacting the emulsion with a fibrous structure so that the oil droplets coalesce, allowing the coalesced droplets to float to the surface to form a layer of oil and removing said oil layer, the fibrous structure comprising fibers of alumina or zirconia which have an average diameter in the range of 0.5 to 5 microns and which, in the emulsion, have a positive zeta potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the distribution of the fibre diameters is such that the fibrous structure contains not greater than 30% by number of fibres of greater diameter than 5 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the distribution of fibre diameters is such that the fibrous structure contains not greater than 20% by number of fibres of greater diameter than 5 microns.
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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) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |