Kerr-Mcgee Refining Corporation

Jack W Roach

Samuel W Harris

A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a product material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-product material mixture is treated to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in product material. The first liquid phase is then intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions, in a static or dynamic mixer. The steam-liquid phase mixture is then treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in product material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Recovery of organic solvents from liquid mixtures

A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. The fluid-like phase of bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure and introduced into a steam stripper. The solvent vaporizes upon pressure reduction and a mist of fine bituminous material particles forms and becomes dispersed in the vaporized solvent. The vaporized solvent and associated mist is separated from the bituminous material in the stripper and is withdrawn from the steam stripper and introduced into a condenser. The solvent and steam from the stripper condense, a substantial portion of the mist of entrained particles solidifies and an emulsion of water and fluid-like bituminous material from the mist forms. The liquid stream is withdrawn from the condenser and introduced into a separator. The liquid stream separates in the separator into an upper fraction comprising solvent, a middle fraction comprising emulsion and a lower fraction comprising water and the solidified particles of bituminous material. The liquid solvent is removed by passage over a weir in the separator and recovered. The emulsion, water and solids can be removed from the base of the separator for disposal.

Process for separating bituminous materials

A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine bituminous material particles in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, mist and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a static mixer. The static mixer intimately mixes the mist with the fluid-like material and causes the mist to recombine with the fluid-like material from which it was formed. The resulting stream is introduced into a steam stripper to separate the solvent remaining in the bituminous material. The vaporized solvent and steam are withdrawn from the stripper substantially free of entrained bituminous material and condensed. The liquid stream is introduced into a solvent surge vessel having a water draw. The solvent then is recycled in the process.

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Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America

Jack W Roach