Enhanced foam fractionation of oil phase from aqueous/oil mixed phase via increased viscoelasticity
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsVictor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles DeNoma, Steven E. Lentsch
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Abstract
The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.
Claims5
A method for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water via foam fractionation comprising:
- providing a solution comprising oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water to a foam fractionator;
- adding to said solution an ethoxylated sorbitan ester surfactant, if necessary allowing said surfactant to form an emulsion with said oily particles, and/or contaminants;
- adding an acrylic polymer/associative thickener to said emulsion, wherein the viscosity of said acrylic polymer/associative thickener is more than about 10,000 mPas at a shear rate of 1 sec−1, and;
- injecting air to said emulsion for foam fractionation and removal of said oily particles, and/or contaminants.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.