US4775457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for treating crude oil sludges and the like
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1987-08-12
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-08-12
Abstract
Abstract Crude oil sludges and other relatively heavy hydrocarbon liquid sludges are mixed with diatomaceous earth or perlite to form a friable and flowable solids mixture which is conveyed to a combustion unit, such as rotary kiln, calciner or lift pipe type combustor, wherein combustion of the hydrocarbons is carried out to provide gaseous combustion products and a substantially hydrocarbon free solids mixture. The solids discharged from the combustion unit may be recycled for use in the mixing process to reduce the sludge to a friable material for introduction to the combustion unit and excess solids may be discharged for disposal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Beer
- 👤 Ying H. Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:52
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/02; F23G7/00; F23G7/001; F23G7/05; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for treating sludges containing liquid hydrocarbons and solids fines coated with said hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: providing a combustion unit including a substantially closed vessel having an inlet, an outlet means for solids and gaseous combustion products; providing a quantity of an adsorbent, friable solids material; providing means in communication with the inlet of said combustion unit for mixing said sludge with a quantity of said solids material to provide a flowable and friable composition for conduction to said combustion unit; mixing said sludge with said solids material to provide said composition at a temperature and pressure condition less than that which will produce a reaction causing clinkering or scale buildup of said hydrocarbons and conveying said composition to said combustion unit; combusting said composition to convert said composition to gaseous combustion products and a quantity of substantially hydrocarbon free friable solids; and conducting said hydrocarbon free solids from said combustion unit for disposal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for treating sludges containing liquid hydrocarbons and solids fines coated with said hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: providing a combustion unit including a substantially closed vessel having an inlet, an outlet means for solids and gaseous combustion products; providing a quantity of an adsorbent, friable solids material; providing means in communication with the inlet of said combustion unit for mixing said sludge with a quantity of said solids material to provide a flowable and friable composition for conduction to said combustion unit; mixing said sludge with said solids material to provide said composition at a temperature and pressure condition less than that which will produce a reaction causing clinkering or scale buildup of said hydrocarbons and conveying said composition to said combustion unit; combusting said composition to convert said composition to gaseous combustion products and a quantity of substantially hydrocarbon free friable solids; and conducting said hydrocarbon free solids from said combustion unit for disposal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method set forth in claim 1 including the step of: returning at least a portion of said hydrocarbon free solids to said means for mixing with said sludge to provide at least a part of the solids in said composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein: said solids for mixing with said sludge is selected from a group consisting of diatomaceous earth and perlite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method set forth in claim 1 including the step of: passing gaseous combustion products through a wet scrubber to separate solids fines entrained with said gaseous combustion products leaving said combustion unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method set forth in claim 4 including the step of: conductinng a sludge formed of condensed combustion products and solids fines for reentrainment with said composition in said combustion unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method set forth in claim 5 wherein: said sludge formed of condensed combustion products and solids fines is mixed with said sludge and said solids before introduction to said combustion unit.
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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) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |