Cf Systems Corporation

Critical Fluid Systems, Inc.

Richard P De Filippi

Ramin Abrishamian

Bruce M Putnam

Christopher P Eppig

Apparatus for and method of thermally decomposing wastes laden typically with organic solvents, other organic liquids and soluble organic materials, by first extracting such wastes in a pressure vessel using a fluid extractant in which the organics are soluble, thereby producing a fluid extract of the organics in the extractant fluid and a non-extracted residue of reduced BTU/lb value. The extractant fluid, typically propane, is preferably a gas at ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure but in the pressure vessel means is held to conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to render the extractant fluid a solvent for the organics. Means are provided for separating the residue from the organics extracted from the waste material, and the residue is burned typically in a solids incinerator. The fluid extract is separated into an extracted organics fraction and an extractant fraction, the latter being recycled for use in the pressure vessel. The extracted organics fraction is employed as auxiliary fuel for either the solids incinerator or for an afterburner to which the flue-gases from the incinerator are fed for further, high temperature incineration.

Apparatus and method for waste disposal

Method and apparatus for removing oil and other organic constituents from particulate, inorganic-rich mineral solids. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for removing oil from oil-contaminated drill cuttings. The solids to be treated are transferred into pressure vessel means wherein they are contacted with an extractant which is normally a gas but is under conditions of pressure and temperature to provide the extractant in a fluidic solvent state for the constituents to be removed, whereby the constituents are transferred to the extractant. The extractant containing the constituents is withdrawn from the pressure vessel and depressurized to render it a nonsolvent for the constituents and to form a two-phase system which can then be separated into extractant for repressurizing and recycling with proper handling of the constituents removed. In the case of removing oil from drill cuttings, the essentially oil-free cuttings can be disposed of in any suitable manner including dumping overboard from an offshore drilling rig.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Richard P De Filippi