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US 12,516,253 B2Granted
Method for creating crude oil synthesized fluid having surfactant and demulsification properties
AssigneesThe Texas A&M University System, Lteoil LLC
InventorsJamie Kraus, David Staack, Howard Jemison
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Abstract
A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a reaction chamber;
- a first electrode disposed within the reaction chamber so as to interface with a headspace gas in the reaction chamber;
- a second electrode disposed within the reaction chamber so as to interface with a solution comprising oil in the reaction chamber;
- a first port configured to receive the solution;
- a second port configured to remove water from the reaction chamber, the water comprising chemical products formed in the reaction chamber;
- and
- a controller comprising one or more processors coupled with memory, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
- adjust a flow rate of the solution into the reaction chamber via the first port;
- and
- energize the first electrode and/or the second electrode to generate a non-thermal plasma in the reaction chamber,
- wherein the appratus is configured to adjust energization of the first electrode and/or the second electrode based on a dielectric breakdown evetn.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.