US4797137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning fossil fuel, such as coal and crude oil
Assignee: Sutton Energy Corp
•
Filing: 1987-07-06
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Granted: 1989-01-10
•
Expires: 2007-07-06
Abstract
Abstract Contaminants, such as sulphur, sulphur compounds and other pollutants are removed from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel in a liquid medium, such as crude oil or a coal slurry, is exposed to metallic copper to react the sulphur with copper ions and settle out the resulting copper sulphide. Additional additives are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Sutton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:15
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for the desulfurization of fossil fuels including crude oil and/or coal, the apparatus comprising: (a) a receptacle for containing the fossil fuel in a liquid medium, the receptacle having at least one opening for the inlet and one opening for the outlet of the fossil fuel; (b) a plurality of copper tubes which are aligned generally parallel to the flow path between the openings for the inlet and outlet to permit the liquid medium to flow both interiorly and exteriorly of the copper tubes within the receptacle; (c) an electrical induction coil electromagnetically coupled to said receptacle for stirring the fossil fuel in the receptacle, and (d) a lower portion of the receptacle being formed as a sump for the collection of waste particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for the desulfurization of fossil fuels including crude oil and/or coal, the apparatus comprising: (a) a receptacle for containing the fossil fuel in a liquid medium, the receptacle having at least one opening for the inlet and one opening for the outlet of the fossil fuel; (b) a plurality of copper tubes which are aligned generally parallel to the flow path between the openings for the inlet and outlet to permit the liquid medium to flow both interiorly and exteriorly of the copper tubes within the receptacle; (c) an electrical induction coil electromagnetically coupled to said receptacle for stirring the fossil fuel in the receptacle, and (d) a lower portion of the receptacle being formed as a sump for the collection of waste particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the receptacle is copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sump comprises about 5-10% of the receptacle volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the copper tubes are helical in shape with the flow therethrough being along a helical path.
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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) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |