US4824555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extraction of oil from stable oil-water emulsions
Assignee: Standard Oil Co
•
Filing: 1987-07-09
•
Granted: 1989-04-25
•
Expires: 2007-07-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a facile method of oil removal from an oil-water emulsion containing suspended solid particulates. In general, the method utilizes a volatile solvent which is liquefied under pressure and forms a two-phase system when in contact with the emulsion. More particularly, the process of the present invention comprises the steps of (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel in an extraction system, (B) pressurizing the vessel with a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion, (C) maintaining said pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect the replacement of at least some of the oil in the emulsion phase with said volatile hydrocarbon, the replaced oil being dissolved in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, (E) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, and (F) recovering the oil phase from the water phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Paspek
- 👤 Christopher P. Eppig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:27
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D12/00; B01D11/00; B01D11/04; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A process of extracting oil from oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of: (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing the vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion, (C) maintaining said pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect the displacement of at least some of the oil in the emulsion phase with said volatile hydrocarbon, the displaced oil being dissolved in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, (E) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, and (F) recovering the oil phase from the water phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process of extracting oil from oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of: (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing the vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion, (C) maintaining said pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect the displacement of at least some of the oil in the emulsion phase with said volatile hydrocarbon, the displaced oil being dissolved in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, (E) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, and (F) recovering the oil phase from the water phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the volatile hydrocarbon contains up to about 5 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the volatile hydrocarbon is propane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pressure on the two-phase system in steps (B), (C) and (D) is from about 80 to about 150 psig.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein (G) oil is recovered from the volatile hydrocarbon phase withdrawn in step (D).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the oil-water emulsion comprises about 30 to 45% by weight of oil, from about 50 to 65% by weight of water and up to about 10% by weight of solids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the oil-water emulsion comprises about 40% by weight of oil, about 55% by weight of water and about 5% by weight of solids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the volatile hydrocarbon is propane and the vessel is pressurized at a pressure of about 100-150 psig.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
A process for extracting oil from stable oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing said vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion in said vessel, and whereby at least some of the oil in the emulsion is displaced by some of the volatile hydrocarbon, and the displaced oil dissolves in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (C) maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system by introducing additional volatile hydrocarbon into the vessel as needed while withdrawing at least a portion of the oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon from the vessel and from the system, (D) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is varporized or removed, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, and (E) recovering the oil phase from the water phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A process for extracting oil from stable oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing said vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion in said vessel, and whereby at least some of the oil in the emulsion is displaced by some of the volatile hydrocarbon, and the displaced oil dissolves in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (C) maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system by introducing additional volatile hydrocarbon into the vessel as needed while withdrawing at least a portion of the oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon from the vessel and from the system, (D) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is varporized or removed, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, and (E) recovering the oil phase from the water phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 9 wherein (F) oil is recovered from the oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon withdrawn from the vessel in step (C).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 9 conducted at about ambient temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the oil is recovered in step (F) by vaporizing the hydrocarbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the volatile hydrocarbon is an aliphatic hydrocarbon containing up to about 15 carbon atoms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the volatile hydrocarbon is propane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the pressure on the two-phase system in steps (B) and (C) is about 80 to about 150 psig.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the emulsion comprises about 30 to 45% by weight of oil, from about 50 to 65% by weight of water and up to about 10% by weight of solids.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the oil-water emulsion comprises about 40% by weight of oil, about 55% by weight of water and about 5% by weight of solids.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process of extracting oil from oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of: (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing the vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion, (C) maintaining said pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect the displacement of at least some of the oil in the emulsion phase wth said volatile hydrocarbon, the displaced oil being dissolved in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, (E) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, (F) recovering the oil phase from the water phase, and (G) separating said solid particulates from said oil phase or said water phase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process of extracting oil from oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of: (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel, (B) pressurizing the vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon in the vessel is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion, (C) maintaining said pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect the displacement of at least some of the oil in the emulsion phase wth said volatile hydrocarbon, the displaced oil being dissolved in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, (E) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, (F) recovering the oil phase from the water phase, and (G) separating said solid particulates from said oil phase or said water phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
172 words
A process for extracting oil from stable oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of (A) introducing said emulsions into a vessel, (B) pressurizing said vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion in said vessel, and whereby at least some of the oil in the emulsion is displaced by some of the volatile hydrocarbon, and the displaced oil dissolves in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (C) maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system by introducing additional volatile hydrocarbon into the vessel as needed while withdrawing at least a portion of the oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon from the vessel and from the system, (D) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized or removed, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, (E) recovering the oil phase from the water phase, and (F) separating said solid particulates from said oil phase or said water phase.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
172 words
A process for extracting oil from stable oil-water emulsions containing suspended solid particulates comprising the steps of (A) introducing said emulsions into a vessel, (B) pressurizing said vessel by adding a volatile hydrocarbon whereby said volatile hydrocarbon is in the liquefied state and forms a two-phase system with said emulsion in said vessel, and whereby at least some of the oil in the emulsion is displaced by some of the volatile hydrocarbon, and the displaced oil dissolves in the volatile hydrocarbon phase, (C) maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system by introducing additional volatile hydrocarbon into the vessel as needed while withdrawing at least a portion of the oil-containing volatile hydrocarbon from the vessel and from the system, (D) reducing the pressure on the two-phase system whereby volatile hydrocarbon dissolved in the emulsion is vaporized or removed, and the emulsion separates into a water phase and an oil phase, (E) recovering the oil phase from the water phase, and (F) separating said solid particulates from said oil phase or said water phase.
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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) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |