Conoco Inc.

Conoco Specialty Products Inc.

David A Flanigan

Robert E Williams

James E Stolhand

Elwyn Shimoda

Joe K Heilhecker

Olaf M Stokke

John D Boadway

Robert B Ramsey, Jr

John Huycke

This invention relates to an improved particulate receiving chamber within a centrifugal separation device and more particularly within a decanter centrifuge. The improved receiving chamber reduces particle disintegration of the particulates which is particularly advantageous if the particulates are subjected to a further centrifugal separation step because particle disintegration compromises the clarification achievable by successive centrifugal separators. The preferred embodiment of the particulate receiving chamber includes a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying fluid in the chamber whereby the fluid absorbs the impact forces of the particulates which impact against surfaces within the chamber.

Method and apparatus for reduction of particle disintegration

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurry stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

Apparatus for cleaning particulate solids

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurrying stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

Process for cleaning particulate solids

A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises slurrying of the solids with a solvent, feeding the slurry to a cyclone separation zone integrally connected to a countercurrent extraction zone, separating the slurry into an overflow stream which includes solvent and fine particles of solids and an underflow stream which includes mostly coarse particles of solids in the cyclone separation zone, processing the overflow stream in a cleaning zone with additional solvent, processing the underflow stream in countercurrent relationship with additional solvent through the countercurrent extraction zone, combining the cleaned coarse particles of solids withdrawn from the extraction zone with the cleaned fine particles of solids withdrawn from the cleaning zone and centrifuging the combined cleaned particles to remove residual solvent and recovering the combined solids having reduced contamination for disposal.

Process and apparatus for cleaning particulate solids

1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane or 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane are employed as solvents to remove oleophylic material from mineral particulates. In one aspect the method of this invention includes the steps of transporting oil-based mud-laden cuttings to a solid feed tank wherein the oil-based cuttings are subjected to turbulent mixing to leave the surface of the cuttings substantially free of oil. The cuttings are then subjected to countercurrent flow of solvent in order to separate oily solvent and fines smaller than a chosen diameter from the heavier solids. The heavier solids are cleaned of any remaining oil-based muds, separated from cleaning solvent and ultimately returned to the sea environment.

Partially halogenated ethane solvent removal of oleophylic materials

A system is provided for the separation of oil from oily water, particularly where the oily water is available only at relatively low pressures insufficient ot drive a hydrocyclone separator. Particular combinations of pumps and hydrocyclones can be effective in these low pressure situations where the pressure boost required is not substantially greater than a differential pressure at which the pump begins to substantially degrade the volumetric mean size of droplets of oil in the oily water passing therethrough. This is achieved by operating the pump at relatively near its maximum flow rate capacity to substantially reduce on a percentage basis the effect of fluid slippage within the pump. Improved techniques for analysis of oil droplet size distribution are also disclosed.

Low pressure hydrocyclone separator

A system is provided for the separation of oil from oily water, particularly where the oily water is available only at relatively low pressures insufficient to drive a hydrocyclone separator. Particular combinations of pumps and hydrocyclones can be effective in these low pressure situations where the pressure boost required is not substantially greater than a differential pressure at which the pump begins to substantially degrade the volumetric mean size of droplets of oil in the oily water passing therethrough. This is achieved by operating the pump at relatively near its maximum flow rate capacity to substantially reduce on a percentage basis the effect of fluid slippage within the pump. Improved techniques for analysis of oil droplet size distribution are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, OK, United States of America

David A Flanigan