Method for fluidizing tars
US6197837A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S516/928
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the preparation of an aqueous tar suspoemulsion includes the steps of mixing a mixture including (a) a viscous tar composition formed from a tar, from inorganic solids and, optionally, from water; (b) water (W); (c) a surface-active agent (SA) exhibiting a hydrophilicity/lipophilicity balance (HLB) of at least 10; and, optionally, (d) a thickening water-soluble polymer (TWP) with a molecular mass of greater than 10,000. The relative amounts of constituents (W), (SA) and, optionally, (TWP) are such that the viscosity of the (W)+(SA)+optional (TWP) mixture is preferably equal to or greater than the viscosity of the tar. An optional embodiment of the process provides for dilution of the mixture obtained with water or with an aqueous acidic solution. By virtue of providing a pumpable medium, the process is particularly advantageous for cleaning sulfuric acid tars/sludges from containers/vessels such as transportation containers, pipes, and storage tanks, without the necessity of placing personnel in intimate physical contact with the material to be removed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.