US4328104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of demulsifying and converting emulsions of oils, greases and fats
Assignee: Voestalpine AG
•
Filing: 1980-05-27
•
Granted: 1982-05-04
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Expires: 2000-05-27
Abstract
Abstract It is proposed to demulsify and convert emulsions of oils, greases, and fats in that these emulsions are processed together with digested sludge or sludge liquor from a biological sewage treatment plant. The emulsions of oils, greases, or fats are fed after a first digesting step and preferably to a separate container. In that second digesting step, the bacteria growing under anaerobic conditions can convert much larger quantities of emulsions and the emulsions can be converted within a shorter time.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhart Hanke
- 👤 Bertalan Treso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:14
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/28; C02F3/286; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process of demulsifying and coverting emulsions of oils, greases, and fats wherein the emulsions are processed together with sewage sludges, characterized by adding the emulsion to be demulsified and converted to the second digesting tank of a digested sludge or to a sludge liquor which has been obtained by a biological sewage treatment and has been subjected to a first digesting step, which involves mainly an acid fermentation and makes mainly organic acids and CO 2 available, the resulting mixture is subjected to a second digesting step that is conducted under anaerobic conditions and in an environment which differs from that of the first step and results mainly in an evolution of methane, said two digesting steps being carried out in two separate digesting tanks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process of demulsifying and coverting emulsions of oils, greases, and fats wherein the emulsions are processed together with sewage sludges, characterized by adding the emulsion to be demulsified and converted to the second digesting tank of a digested sludge or to a sludge liquor which has been obtained by a biological sewage treatment and has been subjected to a first digesting step, which involves mainly an acid fermentation and makes mainly organic acids and CO 2 available, the resulting mixture is subjected to a second digesting step that is conducted under anaerobic conditions and in an environment which differs from that of the first step and results mainly in an evolution of methane, said two digesting steps being carried out in two separate digesting tanks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, characterized by feeding the emulsion to be converted to a digesting tank for digesting surplus sludge which has been obtained in a biological sewage treatment plant and has been predigested.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by adding emulsion to the predigested sludge or sludge liquor in an amount of up to 0.25 kg oil per kg of dry sludge solids in a continuous process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by adding emulsion to the sludge or to the predigested sludge or sludge liquor in an amount of 0.25 to 1.0 kg oil per kg of dry sludge solids in a batch process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by effecting the digestion in an anaerobic environment at temperatures between 20° and 55° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by effecting in a continuous process the digestion with a residence time of at least 3 days in the digesting tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an oil-in-water emulsion to the sludge, digested sludge or sludge liquor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by adding oil to the sludge, digested sludge or sludge liquor in such a quantity that a C/N ratio in excess of 10 is obtained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by adding the emulsion is added after not less than 10 days, when the digestion is effected at about 35° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 comprising adding the emulsion after about 14 days and effecting the digestion at about 35° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 comprising adding oil to the sludge, digested sludge, or sludge liquor in such a quantity that a C/N ratio in excess of 15 is obtained.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 comprising effecting the digestion in an anaerobic environment at temperatures between 30° and 45° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the emulsion is one from (1) a synthetic oil which is a cutting, cooling, or lubricating fluid, (2) an oil containing sulfur and/or chloride salts, (3) used scrubbing liquor or a degreasing bath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein the emulsion is one from (1) a synthetic oil which is a cutting, cooling, or lubricating fluid or (2) an oil containing sulfur and/or chloride salts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein the emulsion is one from a synthetic oil which is a cutting, cooling, or lubricating fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 carried out in the presence of an emulsifying agent.
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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) | 1985-05-03 | 1985-11-02 | 1986-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-03 | 1989-11-02 | 1990-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-03 | 1993-11-02 | 1994-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |