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:
Jun. 30, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1996
Li-Qun Yu, Houston, TX (US);
Todd A Meyer, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Brian R Folsom, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Energy BioSystems Corporation, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for separating a water/organic/solid emulsion, wherein the solid comprises particles having a length of about 50 .mu.m or less, are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (1) directing the water/organic/solid emulsion from an emulsion source through a first hydrocyclone; (2) inverting the phase of the overflow emulsion from the first hydrocyclone; (3) directing the overflow emulsion through one or more subsequent hydrocyclones arranged in series; and (4) collecting the aqueous phase and the organic phase. The solid can be a biocatalyst, such as an intact bacterial, fungal or yeast cell. The organic phase is a liquid material substantially comprising carbon, which is substantially immiscible with water, such as petroleum. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a hydrocyclone series comprising two or more hydrocyclones connected in series, wherein the intake tube of the first hydrocyclone is connected by a line to an emulsion source; and a means for inverting the phase of the emulsion, interposed in the hydrocyclone series. The hydrocyclone series can comprise one or more de-oiling hydrocyclones, one or more dehydrating hydrocyclones or a combination thereof. The means for inverting the emulsion can be any means for sufficiently agitating the emulsion.