Purification of impure oil by centrifugation

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, apparatus and systems of purifying an impure oil by subjecting the impure oil to a disk stack centrifuge at a rate greater than about 80 gallons per minute, to obtain a purified oil. In particular, the purified oil can have an impurity content of less than about 0.3% by weight, or greater than about 2 fold less than the impurity content of the impure oil. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a particular type of dick stack centrifuge referred to as a “disk type nozzle centrifuge”.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The oil industry refines crude oil into several types of products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and home heating oil. Crude oil contains a number of impurities that are removed during the refinement process. Also, certain refinement processes can produce byproducts that contaminate the oil. Some of these byproducts include inorganic materials such as ash, catfines or fines. The presence of such impurities in the oil causes damage to equipment that uses the oil (e.g., engines, furnaces, etc.). Unfortunately, the end user bears the cost in having to repair or replace this equipment. [0002] As such, a need exists to develop a refinement or purification process that reduces the amount of impurities in oil. In particular, a need exists to reduce such impurities while refining large amounts of crude oil quickly and efficiently. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention pertains to methods for purifying large quantities of oil in an efficient...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Advantages of the present invention include the ability to produce a cleaner oil which reduces wear on engines components, burners, etc. This advantage reduces cost to the end users since such equipment will generally need less repair and / or replacement. The present invention advantageously also reduces the cost and quantity of the hazardous waste generated by the end user due to the use of such products. Since the process allows for efficient purification of oil in large quantities, a further advantage of the present invention is the ability to increase profit by selling oil with less impurities at a higher price. The present invention advantageously further reduces costs associated with storage and maintenance of crude oil because the present invention allows the oil to be processed quickly and efficiently, rather than being stored for prolonged periods of time (e.g., for a month). As a result, processing the oil with the present invention also reduces the risk of environmental leakage associated with oil storage tanks.

is the ability to increase profit by selling oil with less impurities at a higher price. The present invention advantageously further reduces costs associated with storage and maintenance of crude oil because the present invention allows the oil to be processed quickly and efficiently, rather than being stored for prolonged periods of time (e.g., for a month). As a result, processing the oil with the present invention also reduces the risk of environmental leakage associated with oil storage tanks.

Problems solved by technology

Also, certain refinement processes can produce byproducts that contaminate the oil.

The presence of such impurities in the oil causes damage to equipment that uses the oil (e.g., engines, furnaces, etc.).

Unfortunately, the end user bears the cost in having to repair or replace this equipment.

Images