US4406793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of free bodies to increase size of dispersed phase particles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-06-14
•
Granted: 1983-09-27
•
Expires: 2002-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A mixture containing a dispersed bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase and a continuous aqueous phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture. Alternately, a mixture containing a dispersed aqueous phase and a continuous bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing hydrophilic and oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture. The free bodies tumbling with the mixture in the drum have affinity for the dispersed phase particles and cause an increase in the particles' size of the dispersed phase of the mixture through a process of cyclic coalescence, agglutination, condensation and/or coherence of dispersed phase particles from the mixture onto the surface of the free bodies and cyclic shedding or sloughing off of coalesced dispersed phase back into the mixture. Some mixtures that may be treated include oil sand slurries, effluent streams from a hot sands extraction plant, oil-in-water emulsions from processes that use enhanced oil well recovery, and bitumen froth.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Kruyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:27
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0205; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/047; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of dispersed oil phase particles in a liquid mixture of continuous aqueous phase, with or without solids, and dispersed oil phase, with or without solids, which comprises the steps of: a. introducing said mixture into a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum that contains retained free bodies having oleophilic surfaces that have affinity for oil phase particles, b. agitating said mixture in the rotating drum so that said oleophilic surfaced free bodies continually mix with said mixture and come in contact with said dispersed oil phase particles causing said dispersed oil phase particles to temporarily adhere to the surface of said free bodies and unite to form enlarged oil phase particles until such enlarged oil phase particles become sufficiently large that they are redispersed into said mixture from the surface of said free bodies as enlarged dispersed oil phase particles by the physical forces operating within said rotating drum as a result of said agitation, and c. removing said mixture containg said enlarged dispersed oil phase particles from said drum containing said retained free bodies for subsequent separation of said enlarged dispersed oil phase particles from said continuous aqueous phase.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of dispersed oil phase particles in a liquid mixture of continuous aqueous phase, with or without solids, and dispersed oil phase, with or without solids, which comprises the steps of: a. introducing said mixture into a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum that contains retained free bodies having oleophilic surfaces that have affinity for oil phase particles, b. agitating said mixture in the rotating drum so that said oleophilic surfaced free bodies continually mix with said mixture and come in contact with said dispersed oil phase particles causing said dispersed oil phase particles to temporarily adhere to the surface of said free bodies and unite to form enlarged oil phase particles until such enlarged oil phase particles become sufficiently large that they are redispersed into said mixture from the surface of said free bodies as enlarged dispersed oil phase particles by the physical forces operating within said rotating drum as a result of said agitation, and c. removing said mixture containg said enlarged dispersed oil phase particles from said drum containing said retained free bodies for subsequent separation of said enlarged dispersed oil phase particles from said continuous aqueous phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the free bodies are spheres or spheroids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dispersed oil phase has a viscosity in the range from 0.1 to 50,000 poises.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the dispersed oil phase has a viscosity in the rage from 1.0 to 5000 poises.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the free bodies have a density of from 30 to 800 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the free bodies have a density range of from 200 to 500 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the free bodies have dimensions within the range of 0.1 to 10.0 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the internal surfaces of said drum are oleophilic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the free bodies have a rough surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the free bodies have a porous surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the free bodies have both oleophilic and hydrophilic surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said drum also contains free bodies with hydrophilic surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the free bodies have dimensions within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the free bodies are fabricated from metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the free bodies are pretreated to remove metal oxide from their surfaces to cause them to become oleophilic and to permit dispersed oil phase particles to form a coating on their surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the mixture in the drum is abrasive, causing removal of any oxide coating from the surface of said free bodies and causing the surfaces of said free bodies to remain oxide free in order for the free bodies to become and remain oleophilic and coated with dispersed oil phase particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method set forth in claim 7 wherein one or more emulsion breaking chemicals are added to said mixture to remove from said dispersed oil phase particles any repulsive forces that would prevent attachment of dispersed phase to the oleophilic surfaces of said free bodies.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said chemical is an inorganic alkaline earth salt or hydroxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mixture is produced from an oil well.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mixture is derived from a hot water oil sands extraction plant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mixture is an aqueous oil sand slurry from which debris, rocks and/or oversize lumps have been removed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mixture is an oil-in-water emulsion produced by enhanced oil well recovery methods to recover bitumen from a buried tar sands or heavy oil deposit.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of dispersed aqueous phase particles in a liquid mixture of continuous oil phase and dispersed aqueous phase which comprises the steps of: a. introducing said mixture into a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum that contains retained free bodies at least a portion of said free bodies having at least one hydrophilic surface that has affinity for aqueous phase. b. agitating said mixture in the rotating drum so that said free bodies continually mix with said mixture such that the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies come in contact with said dispersed aqueous phase particles causing said dispersed aqueous phase particles to temporarily adhere to the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies and unite to form enlarged aqueous phase particles until such enlarged aqueous phase particles become sufficiently large that they are redispersed into said mixture from the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies as enlarged dispersed aqueous phase particles by the physical forces operating within said rotating drum as a result of said agitation, and c. removing said mixture containing said enlarged dispersed aqueous phase particles from said drum containing said retained free bodies for subsequent separation of dispersed aqueous phase particles from the continuous oil phase.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of dispersed aqueous phase particles in a liquid mixture of continuous oil phase and dispersed aqueous phase which comprises the steps of: a. introducing said mixture into a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum that contains retained free bodies at least a portion of said free bodies having at least one hydrophilic surface that has affinity for aqueous phase. b. agitating said mixture in the rotating drum so that said free bodies continually mix with said mixture such that the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies come in contact with said dispersed aqueous phase particles causing said dispersed aqueous phase particles to temporarily adhere to the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies and unite to form enlarged aqueous phase particles until such enlarged aqueous phase particles become sufficiently large that they are redispersed into said mixture from the hydrophilic surface of said free bodies as enlarged dispersed aqueous phase particles by the physical forces operating within said rotating drum as a result of said agitation, and c. removing said mixture containing said enlarged dispersed aqueous phase particles from said drum containing said retained free bodies for subsequent separation of dispersed aqueous phase particles from the continuous oil phase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein the continuous phase has a viscosity within the range 0.01 to 500 poises.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said drum also contains free bodies with oleophilic surfaces or with at least one oleophilic surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein at least part of the internal surfaces of said drum are hydrophilic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein one or more emulsion breaking chemicals are added to said mixture to remove from said aqueous phase particles any repulsive forces that would prevent attachment of dispersed aqueous phase to the hydrophilic surfaces of said free bodies.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein a hydrophilic surface active agent is added to the mixture to encourage particulate solids to collect into the aqueous dispersed phase instead of the oil phase.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein a chelating agent is added to the mixture for the purpose of transferring particulate solids from the continuous oil phase to the dispersed aqueous phase.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said mixture is a bitumous froth containing entrapped gas bubbles wherein said gas bubbles collapse during said agitation in said drum thereby enhancing subsequent separation of water and particulate solids from said froth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said continuous phase consists of bitumen that contains water droplets and particulate solids.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said continuous phase consists of heavy petroleum oil.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for increasing the size of dispersed phase particles in a feed mixture of dispersed phase and continuous phase, comprising: a. a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum provided with a feed inlet and a product outlet, said drum being partly filled with retained mechanical free bodies that have an affinity for dispersed phase drum feed contents, b. drum mounting means and rotating means supporting said drum so as to rotate the drum as a tumbler at a predetermined rate of speed, c. means that permits introduction of feed to the rotating drum such that drum contents will not spill out the drum at the feed inlet, and d. means that permit exit of product mixture from the drum at a rate that maintains a desired mixture through the drum but that prevents the retained free bodies from leaving the drum.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for increasing the size of dispersed phase particles in a feed mixture of dispersed phase and continuous phase, comprising: a. a generally enclosed horizontal rotating drum provided with a feed inlet and a product outlet, said drum being partly filled with retained mechanical free bodies that have an affinity for dispersed phase drum feed contents, b. drum mounting means and rotating means supporting said drum so as to rotate the drum as a tumbler at a predetermined rate of speed, c. means that permits introduction of feed to the rotating drum such that drum contents will not spill out the drum at the feed inlet, and d. means that permit exit of product mixture from the drum at a rate that maintains a desired mixture through the drum but that prevents the retained free bodies from leaving the drum.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 which includes longitudinal ribs along the drum internal periphery to prevent drum contents from sliding along drum wall and to cause the mixture to tumble inside said drum.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein at least a portion of the free bodies contain at least one oleophilic surface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein at least a portion of the free bodies contain at least one hydrophilic surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the free bodies contain both oleophilic and hydrophilic surfaces.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein at least a portion of the internal drum surfaces is oleophilic.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein at least a portion of the internal drum surfaces is hydrophilic.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the products outlet is positioned in the drum such that under steady state conditions the composition of the drum contents is caused to be different from the composition of the feed and products streams.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the product mixture exits through perforations in the cylindrical wall of said drum.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said drum is partly immersed in a tank or cover and drum contents, after passing through said perforations, leave said tank or cover to the separator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein paddles on said drum prevent settling of solids in said tank or cover.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the products outlet is positioned in an end wall of the drum.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the products outlet is an annular ring.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the products outlet is a circular opening at the center of the end wall.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the products outlet size is determined by an adjustable sliding gate.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of aqueous particles dispersed in an oil phase which comprises tumbling a mixture of oil phase having dispersed aqueous particles in the presence of some free bodies having at least one hydrophilic surface for a time sufficient to allow said aqueous particles to come into contact with said bodies and unite into larger particles.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of aqueous particles dispersed in an oil phase which comprises tumbling a mixture of oil phase having dispersed aqueous particles in the presence of some free bodies having at least one hydrophilic surface for a time sufficient to allow said aqueous particles to come into contact with said bodies and unite into larger particles.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of oil particles dispersed in an aqueous phase which comprises tumbling a mixture of aqueous phase having dispersed oil particles in the presence of some free bodies having at least one oleophilic surface for a time sufficient to allow said oil particles to come into contact with said free bodies and unite into larger particles.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for increasing the mean particle size of oil particles dispersed in an aqueous phase which comprises tumbling a mixture of aqueous phase having dispersed oil particles in the presence of some free bodies having at least one oleophilic surface for a time sufficient to allow said oil particles to come into contact with said free bodies and unite into larger particles.
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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) | 1986-09-26 | 1987-03-28 | 1987-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-26 | 1991-03-28 | 1991-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-26 | 1995-03-28 | 1995-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |