Removal of poisonous metalloids (As, Sb, Bi) from crude oil
US9758732B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/205
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The removal of poisonous metalloids from crude oil is a method of removing naturally occurring arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi) from crude oil before the crude oil is processed through a refinery. The removal of poisonous metalloids from crude oil entails forming an emulsion comprising the crude oil and an inorganic salt or mineral acid solution prepared by recirculation and agitation. The agitation of the emulsion causes arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi) containing compounds to dissolve in the inorganic salt or mineral acid solution. The crude oil is separated from the inorganic salt or mineral acid solution by settling. The treated crude oil has a poisonous metalloid concentration of less than 1 ppm making it acceptable for oil refining operations. Optionally, any inorganic salt or mineral acid solution remaining in the crude oil after separation can be removed using a silica gel dryer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.