Patent · US Expired

Oil reclamation process and apparatus therefor

US4515684A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
43Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1983
Grant dateMay 7, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D21/34
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

There are provided a process and apparatus for the reclamation of oil from emulsified mixtures of oil, water and particulate solids. Basic to the process is the introduction of the emulsified mixture to undergo reclamation into a settler providing an internal mixing centerwell in communication with a surrounding settling tank at a first temperature. Typically, the surrounding settling tank consists of a cylindrical zone and a conical zone. At a base of the settling zone is an exhaust for sludge and, if desired, water. At the opposed or upper end of the settling zone is a clarified-oil outlet, which is preferably in the form of an annular, peripheral weir. The mixing centerwell has an inlet and outlet for flow of a heating fluid, typically steam; or of a cooling fluid, typically water, therethrough. The emulsion and demulsifying agent are added to the central mixing zone. Agitation is substantially confined thereto. Operation may be on a batch, semi-continuous or continuous basis. Only one settling system is required for batch operation. Two or more settling tanks are operated in series for semicontinuous or continuous operation. Clarified oil is passed to a surge zone operated with…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.