Extraction of oil from stable oil-water emulsions
US4824555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D17/047
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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 PA1 (A) introducing said emulsion into a vessel in an extraction system, PA1 (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, PA1 (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, PA1 (D) withdrawing at least a portion of said oil-containing hydrocarbon phase while maintaining the pressure on the two-phase system, PA1 (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 PA1 (F) recovering the oil phase from th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.