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US5076938A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Oil treatment method

Assignee: MAVISTER BV A Corp OF NETHERLANDS
•
Filing: 1990-10-03
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2010-10-03
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Abstract

Abstract What is disclosed is a method of encapsulating hydrocarbon systems with the combination of an emulsifier solution and a reactive silicate solution. The method comprises the addition of an emulsifier solution to a hydrocarbon, for example, crude oil, then adding the reactive silicate solution to the emulsifier solution and hydrocarbon mix. Upon adding the reactive silicate solution the mix changes to a thick gel consisting of agglomerates of microspheres having typical diameters of 2 to 4 micrometers and less. The agglomerates are only loosely bound and the microspheres are easily dispersable into individual entities. Upon drying the wet gel yields a free-flowing powder. The encapsulation does not chemically alter or degrade the oil in any way.

Inventors

  • 👤 William R. Noonan
  • 👤 Thomas K. McDowell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 19:35
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/32; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; C02F1/682; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/925

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 67 words
A method of encapsulating a hydrocarbon to minimize its toxic effect on the environment, comprising: mixing the hydrocarbon with an acidic emulsifier to disperse the hydrocarbon into droplets; and then, mixing the resultant mixture with an aqueous solution of a water soluble silicate, resulting in the formation of substantially amorphous silica shells surrounding the droplets, wherein the hydrocarbon is not chemically altered or degraded in any way.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 67 words
A method of encapsulating a hydrocarbon to minimize its toxic effect on the environment, comprising: mixing the hydrocarbon with an acidic emulsifier to disperse the hydrocarbon into droplets; and then, mixing the resultant mixture with an aqueous solution of a water soluble silicate, resulting in the formation of substantially amorphous silica shells surrounding the droplets, wherein the hydrocarbon is not chemically altered or degraded in any way.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water soluble silicate is a silicate of an alkali metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water soluble silicate includes potassium silicate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the emulsifier contains an organic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the emulsifier contains an inorganic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the emulsifier contains a surface active agent or blend of surface active agents capable of hydrocarbon emulsification.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the emulsifier contains a solvent or a blend of solvents capable of forming an aqueous dispersion with the hydrocarbon.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3639255A Cited
US3577340A Cited
US3843306A Cited
US4197197A Cited
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US4518506A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-12-30 1995-07-01 1995-12-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-12-30 1999-07-01 1999-12-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-12-30 2003-07-01 2003-12-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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