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US4374023A
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Process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type ore
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1981-10-26
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type ore which comprises contacting the diatomite ore with a C 4 -C 10 alcohol and thereafter contacting the diatomite ore-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to separate a hydrocarbon-alcohol phase and an alkaline aqueous phase containing the stripped diatomite ore. Thereafter, the alcohol is distilled off from the hydrocarbon phase and recycled back into the initial process.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce W. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:17
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from diatomite ore comprising: (a) contacting a diatomite ore containing hydrocarbons with an effective amount of a C 4 -C 10 alcohol or mixture of alcohols; (b) contacting the diatomite ore-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to separate the mixture into a hydrocarbon phase and an alkaline aqueous-diatomaceous ore fraction; and (c) recovering the alcohol-hydrocarbon phase from step (b).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from diatomite ore comprising: (a) contacting a diatomite ore containing hydrocarbons with an effective amount of a C 4 -C 10 alcohol or mixture of alcohols; (b) contacting the diatomite ore-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to separate the mixture into a hydrocarbon phase and an alkaline aqueous-diatomaceous ore fraction; and (c) recovering the alcohol-hydrocarbon phase from step (b).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the C 4 -C 10 alcohol is a C 4 -C 10 straight- or branched-chain aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, substituted aromatic, substituted alicyclic, aromatic-alicyclic, olefinic, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the alcohol is a straight-chain or a branched-chain alcohol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein the alcohol is a straight-chain C 4 -C 10 alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous alkaline solution has a pH greater than about pH 9.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein the aqueous alkaline solution has a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 95° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process according to claim 6 further comprising settling the mixture of step (b) for a sufficient time to separate said mixture into two phases prior to recovery of the alcohol-hydrocarbon phase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process according to claim 7 wherein the pH is obtained by adding a condensed silicate, a condensed phosphate, a hydroxide, an alkali metal silicate, or mixtures thereof, to an aqueous solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 8 wherein the aqueous alkaline solution contains 3 percent sodium metasilicate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 6 further comprising: (d) separating the alcohol solvent from the hydrocarbon and recycling the alcohol into step (a).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 10 wherein the alcohol is separated from the hydrocarbons by distillation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein the ratio of alcohol to alkaline aqueous solution is from about 1 to 2 to about 1 to 16.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 12 wherein the ratio of alcohol to alkaline aqueous solution is about 1 to 4.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 12 wherein the alcohol to diatomaceous ore ratio is from about 1 to 1 to about 1 to 5.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the alcohol to diatomaceous ore ratio is about 4 to 5.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 15 wherein the alcohol is n-hexanol or n-heptanol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 14 wherein the contacting of step (b) is from about 10 seconds to about 15 minutes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 17 wherein the contacting is by mixing the diatomaceous ore-alcohol mixture with the aqueous alkaline solution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 18 wherein the mixing is countercurrent mixing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process according to claim 19 wherein the alcohol is n-hexanol, the aqueous alkaline solution contains 3 percent by weight sodium meta-silicate, the mixing of step (b) is for about 30 seconds, the ratio of alcohol to ore is about 4 to 5, and the ratio of alcohol to aqueous alkaline solution is about 1 to 4.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process according to claim 1, 5, 7, 10, 12, or 18 wherein the diatomaceous ore tailings are separated from the alkaline aqueous solution and said alkaline aqueous solution is recycled back into step (b).
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |