Method of using an aqueous chemical system to recover hydrocarbon and minimize wastes from sludge deposits in oil storage tanks
US5085710A · kind A · utility
31Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB08B9/08
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Sludge deposited in a crude oil storage tank is treated with a warm-water based nonionic surfactant to minimize waste and recover hydrocarbon. The process entails draining oil from the storage tank, adding water with a nonionic surfactant, and adding diluent to recover hydrocarbon. The tank contents are heated to 145.degree. F. to 180.degree. F. When no sludge remains on the tank bottom, the diluent layer containing the recovered hydrocarbon can be drained directly into the crude unit, without upsets, and the aqueous layer into the API unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.