The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 1976
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1975
Edward D Burger, Plano, TX (US);
Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
What is disclosed is a method for treating a hydrophobic viscous feed, such as a syncrude fraction containing solids, to remove at least a portion of the solids having a minimum syncrude fraction therewith, characterized by a multi-step process. First, water is mixed with the feed to provide two liquid phases in the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to at least one electric field in at least one electrostatic zone to produce a first overflow containing product, such as the syncrude fraction, that is reduced in solids content as compared to the original feed, and an overflow containing water, solids and residual feed. Next, the first underflow is centrifuged to produce a second overflow containing residual feed and water and a second underflow containing primarily solids, with a minor amount of liquids. At least a part of the second overflow is returned to electrostatic zone for recovery of at least part of the residual feed. Also disclosed are improvements in the basic process; including those in which, singly or in combination, a diluent is added; a plurality of electrostatic zones and centrifuging zones are employed; a flashing step is employed; and specific apparatus for carrying out the steps.