Preparation of stable emulsion using dynamic or static mixers

US6677387B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Intevep, S.A. · VE

Inventors

• Mariano E Gurfinkel Castillo · Caracas, VE
• Franzo Agustin Marruffo Rodriguez · Caracas, VE
• Manuel Chirinos · Caracas, VE
• Felix Silva · Caracas, VE
• Gustavo Padron · Cumberland, US
• Gustavo A Nú{overscore (n)}ez · El Hatillo, VE
• Clara E. Mata · Lauderdale, US
• Carolina Blanco · La Lagunita, VE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S516/924
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing a hydrocarbon in water emulsion, comprising the steps of providing a liquid additive that tends to gel when mixed with water at temperatures less than a gelling temperature TG; providing a stream of water at a temperature TC less than the gelling temperature TG; feeding said stream to a mixer having a mixer inlet so as to impart energy to the stream; adding the liquid additive to the stream downstream of the mixer inlet, whereby the liquid additive mixes with the stream and the energy inhibits gelling of the liquid additive so as to provide a substantially homogeneous solution of the liquid additive in the water; and mixing the solution with a hydrocarbon in a mixer so as to form a hydrocarbon-in-water emulsion. In further accordance with the invention, different emulsions can be formed and combined so as to provide a combined emulsion having desired properties.