Method for separating oil and water emulsions
OwnerErnest O. Ohsolinventor
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Abstract
The present invention provides a process and apparatus for separating oil water and solids from emulsions. More particularly, the present invention provides a process and apparatus for continuously separating oil, water and solids from stable mixtures thereof, comprising heating the mixture to at least about 115.degree. C., rapidly cooling the mixture to below 100.degree. C., separating the solids from the liquids and separating the water from the oil. Preferably, the invention also includes the step of adding a flocculant prior to cooling the mixture.
Claims41
A method for continuously separating oil, water and solids from stable mixtures thereof comprising the steps of:
- heating under an absolute pressure of at least about 1.5 atm a mixture comprising liquids and solids to a temperature of at least about 115.degree. C., said liquids comprising oil and water;
- cooling said heated mixture to below about 100.degree. C. by flashing said heated mixture into a lower pressure;
- separating the solids from the liquids in said mixture;
- and
- separating the water from the oil.
An apparatus for continuously separating oil, water and solids from stable mixtures thereof comprising:
- means for heating under a pressure of at least 1.5 atm, a mixture comprising oil, water and solids to a temperature of at least about 115.degree. C.;
- means for rapidly cooling the heated mixture to below about 100.degree. C., said cooling means comprising means for flashing the heated mixture into a lower pressure;
- means for separating the solids from the oil and water in said mixture;
- and
- means for separating the water from the oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.