US5035804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil spill water treatment
Assignee: CLNZALL Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1990-09-17
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Granted: 1991-07-30
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Expires: 2010-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to compositions and methods for removing oil from water surfaces. The composition comprises a fine grained particulate material, such as expanded perlite or vermiculite, or sand, coated with an oleophilic/hydrophobic layer comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of oil spills on the surfaces of open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the oil removal composition, and for stripping and recycling the compositions after use.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene B. Stowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J20/00; B01J20/30; B01J20/32; B01J20/3231; B01J20/3234; B01J20/324; B01J20/02; B01J20/0203; B01J20/0225; B01J20/0229; B01J20/0262; B01J20/0266; B01J20/0274; B01J20/0281; B01J20/04; B01J20/10; B01J20/103; B01J20/106; B01J20/28; B01J20/28002; B01J20/28011; B01J20/28054; B01J20/28078; B01J20/2808; B01J20/3078; B01J20/3202; B01J20/3204; B01J20/3236; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; B01J2220/00; B01J2220/40; B01J2220/46; B01J2220/48; B01J2220/4812; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water, comprising a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating, said coating comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water, comprising a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating, said coating comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the particulate material is a mineral aggregate selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, perlite, pumicite, sand, gravel, and silica.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the particulate material has a specific gravity of less than 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the particulate material has a specific gravity of more than 1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the metallic sulfate is ferrous sulfate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal nitrate is sodium nitrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water, comprising a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic coating comprising a base layer of a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, and an alkali metal nitrate, and an outer carbonized layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water, comprising a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic coating comprising a base layer of a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, and an alkali metal nitrate, and an outer carbonized layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 7 wherein the outer carbonized layer is burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising expanded vermiculite having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating, said coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising expanded vermiculite having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating, said coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for preparing a composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of providing a particulate material, forming a coating on said material comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and a hydrocarbon oil, and igniting the mixture to produce a carbonized coating which is permanently bonded to said particulate material.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for preparing a composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of providing a particulate material, forming a coating on said material comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and a hydrocarbon oil, and igniting the mixture to produce a carbonized coating which is permanently bonded to said particulate material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the particulate material is a mineral aggregate selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, perlite, pumicite, sand, gravel, and silica.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the particulate material has a specific gravity of less than 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the particulate material has a specific gravity of more than 1.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the metallic sulfate is ferrous sulfate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the alkali metal nitrate is sodium nitrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the outer carbonized layer is burned hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for preparing a composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of heating expanded vermiculite, mixing said heated vermiculite with sulfur, ferrous sulfate and sodium nitrate to form a melted base coating on said vermiculite, mixing said coated vermiculite with hydrocarbon oil, and igniting the mixture to produce a carbonized coating which is permanently bonded to said expanded vermiculite.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for preparing a composition for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of heating expanded vermiculite, mixing said heated vermiculite with sulfur, ferrous sulfate and sodium nitrate to form a melted base coating on said vermiculite, mixing said coated vermiculite with hydrocarbon oil, and igniting the mixture to produce a carbonized coating which is permanently bonded to said expanded vermiculite.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, and an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; and b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, and an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; and b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the particulate material is a mineral aggregate selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, perlite, pumicite, sand, gravel, and silica.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the metallic sulfate is ferrous sulfate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the alkali metal nitrate is sodium nitrate.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a providing a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; and c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a providing a particulate material having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; and c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having a specific gravity less than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; and c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having a specific gravity less than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; and c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said particulate material is expanded vermiculite.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said particulate material is expanded perlite.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said particulate material is pumicite.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said particulate material is applied to said oil in a weight ratio of about 0.75 to 1.25 parts of particulate material for each part of oil.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said ratio is about 1 to 1.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a quantity of a particulate material having a specific gravity greater than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said coated particulate material; and c. allowing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, to settle to the bottom of said water.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a quantity of a particulate material having a specific gravity greater than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said coated particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said coated particulate material; and c. allowing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, to settle to the bottom of said water.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said particulate material is sand.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said particulate material is gravel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said particulate material is applied to said oil in a weight ratio of about one part of particulate material for each part of oil.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having a specific gravity less than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, and sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water; and d. stripping said adsorbed oil from said particulate material, thereby rendering said particulate material available for further use in removing oil from the surface of water.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removing oil from the surface of water comprising the steps of: a. providing a particulate material having a specific gravity less than 1 and having an oleophilic, hydrophobic carbonized coating comprising a mixture of sulfur, ferrous sulfate, and sodium nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil; b. applying said particulate material to the oil on said water surface to cause adsorption of said oil on the surface of said particulate material; c. removing said particulate material, with the oil adsorbed thereon, from the surface of said water; and d. stripping said adsorbed oil from said particulate material, thereby rendering said particulate material available for further use in removing oil from the surface of water.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said stripping is achieved by solvent extraction.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said stripping is achieved by a combination of solvent extraction and detergent washing.
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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) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |