US3200567A

US3200567A - System for the sonic treatment of emulsions and for resolving the same into their constituent parts

Info

Publication number: US3200567A
Application number: US608626A
Authority: US
Inventors: May Russell Denton
Original assignee: Black Sivalls and Bryson Inc
Current assignee: Black Sivalls and Bryson Inc
Priority date: 1956-09-07
Filing date: 1956-09-07
Publication date: 1965-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-17

Description

Aug.- 17, 1965 v R. D. MAY 3,200,567

. SYSTEM FOR THE SONIC TREATMENT OF EMULSIONS AND FOR RESOLVING THE SAME INTO THEIR CONSTITUENT PARTS Filed Sept. '7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I 4) w 7 2/ FIG. 2 0

INVENTOR Russell D. May

ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1965 MAY 3,290,567

SYR'IEM FOR THE some TREATMENT OF EMULSIONS AND FOR RESOLVING THE SAME INTO THEIR CONSTITUENT PARTS Filed f2pt. '7, 1956 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Russell D. May

M ATTORNEY;-

United States Patent SYSTEM FUR THE SQNIC TREATMENT OF EMUL- SIGNS AND FUR RESQLVING THE SAME INTO THEIR CONSTITUENT PARTS Russell Denton May, Tulsa, Okla, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Black Sivalls & Eryson, Inc, Kansas City, M0., a corporation of'Delaware Filed Sept. 7, 1956, Ser. No. 608,626 4 Claims. (Cl. 55--175) The present application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 425,523, filed April 26, 1954, now US. Patent No. 2,864,502.

The present invention relates to ultra-sonic means for resolving oil-water emulsions in a continuous flow treatment.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of means for the continuous flow treatment of oil-water petroleum emulsions within an ultra-sonic electroacoustic transducer at a cavitation area axially within the flow line of the emulsion in the transducer for breaking the emulsion and freeing water in the vapor phase.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a continuous flow treatment of an oil-water emulsion under such circumstances as to provide for an etficient, economical and commercially acceptable process which will result in substantially complete dehydration of the emulsion.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a process for the sonic or ultra-sonic vibrational treatment of hydrocarbon emulsions at approximately the cavitational level within the instantaneous volume of oil being treated. Afuither object of this invention is the provision of a system of treating oil-water petroleum emulsions in an electroacoustic transducer having transducer elements operated by high frequency electrical power wherein the emulsions are subjected to radiated sound so focused as to enable the rapid breaking of the emulsion wherein the water is separated in the vapor phase; resulting in a substantially dehydrated product.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing one form of electroacoustic transducer.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the electroacoustic transducer of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a multiple stage system for resolving of hydrocarbon emulsions wherein an ultra-sonic electroacoustic transducer for breaking the emulsions is used.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of another of multiple stage systems, such as set forth in my US. Patent 2,864,- 502, dated December 16, 1958, and wherein an ultra-sonic electroacoustic transducer may be used in the line between the heater and separator stages to assist in breaking emulsions.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of still another multiple stage treating apparatus for resolving hydrocarbon emulsions substantially as set forth in detail in my US. Patent 2,864,502, dated December 16, 1958 and wherein an electroacoustic transducer is shown as applied between the freewater knockout and a heater stage.

FIGURE 7 is a view showing the electroacoustic transducer in a flow line for breaking hydrocarbon emulsions and in which system a vapor and gas trap may be used as well as a storage tank for the separated liquids.

3,200,567 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 The multiple stage units shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are substantially of the type specifically described in my U.S. Patent 2,864,502, dated December 16, 1958, and further amplified and described in detail in my co-pending applications Serial No. 608,624, filed July 7, 1956, now

US. Patent No. 2,996,188; Serial No. 584,818, filed May 14, 1956, now US. Patent No. 3,040,499, and. Serial No. 608,625, filed September 7, 1956, now US. Patent No. 3,035,701.

One form of eletcroacoustic transducer is shown in my US. Patent 2,864,502, dated December 16, 1958, but the form of transducer A shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the present application is modified thereover.

The transducer A preferably comprises a casing structure 10, consisting of end plates 11 and 12 to which axially aligned end stub pipes or

extensions

13 and 14 are respectively connected, as by welding. The extreme ends of these

pipes

13 and 14 are externally screw threaded for receiving coupling flanges 15 and 16 adapted to be connected'as by bolts 17 to a pipe line 18 in which the electroacoustic transducer is to be used. Preferably the axis of the transducer as installed will be on a vertical axis, although in some instances the axis may be horizontal or at an angle to the vertical.

The structure 10 is a protecting anddust excluding casing which includes

semi-cylindrical wall portions

20 and 21 which may be flanged at opposite sides and secured together by means of bolts 23. Their ends may be secured as by machine screws or bolts 25 to the end plates 11 and 12, as shown in FIGURE 2.

A flow casing is provided for supporting the transducer elements. It may be constructed of any suitable material which will best withstand the effects of. the emulsion being treated and vibrational shocks. Its ends may be countersunk and welded to the inner walls of the end plates 11 and 12, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The tubular casing 30 is preferably provided with openings therein, each extending about 90 around the circumference of the casing 30. They are circumferentially positioned on centers about 90 apart and staggered longitudinally of the casing 30, as shown in the drawings. Each of the same receives, in liquid sealed relation therein, transducer elements or vibrating members 41. They are arcuate in shape and each is sealed externally upon the casing 30 at the ends of the are by gaskets 42 and along the arcuate margins thereof by other gaskets 43. These elements 41 may be held in place by adjustable flexible straps 44 having length adjustment means 45 therein. Space supporting blocks 46 at each end of a transducer element support the straps. Two of these straps are provided for each transducer member or element 41, as shown in the drawings. Where the straps engage the transducer element, they may rest upon gaskets or pads 47 to prevent injury to the transducer elements.

The centers of the radii from which the arcs of the transducer elements are struck lies in the axial line of the passageway 48 through the tube or casing 30. The plate 12 may support a conductor cable for transmittal of electrical energy to the surface electrodes (not shown) of the transducer elements 41.

The transducer elements .41 are preferably constructed of barium titanate, although other thickness expanders may be used if desired. Preferably they have a thickness mode resonance of approximately 200 kc. They are coated, particularly upon the inside or concave surfaces thereof with glazed surfaces impervious to practically all liquids, including all common acids. This makes possible the elimination of the rubber sound window of the elec troacoustic transducer which is shown in my US. Patent 2,864,502, dated December 16, 1958, and enables the transducer to function with an increased acoustic power. These transducer elements are capable of handling power 3 to the extent that the soundintensity of the focus is approximately 160 dbs above one dyne per square centimeter.

The focal area within the casing 30 exhibits cavitation in a cylindrical section of chamber 48 of a predetermined diameter which may vary with the size of the transducer. Within the area of cavitation the vibrations of the transducer elements will release water from the oil in the form of water vapor, in free bubble form. It'may be released either directly from the transducer or in the linepast the transducer;

The emulsifying vibrations may be obtained by magnetostriction or even by mechanical vibrating generators if such are practical for that purpose. I do not desire to be limited to specific frequencies although the results desired are obtainable by frequencies of from 200 kc. to 400 kc. If lower and higher frequencies of vibration are desired, I may use other vibrating means than the transducer elements herein specifically described. The sound intensity at the focus must be above the cavitational level.

The amplitude of vibrations of the transducer'elements should be sufficient to cause cavitation within an appreciable sized core of the emulsion being treated in the transducer. 'In other words, the sound intensity at the focus must be above the cavitational level.

As to the electric power needed for excitement of the speed, or if desired some means may be provided for intermittently trapping thehydrocarbon emulsion in the transducer for a predetermined period of treatment and then I passed into the flow line 18. Water released in the vapor phase may be withdrawn directly from the transducer or in the flow line 18 in advance of the transducer. In one such form, shown in FIGURE 7, I may provide a vapor trap 51) in the flow line 18 for releasing both water and gas vapors, which may later be condensed and separated in any approved manner. Line 18 may deposit the emulsified product into a suitable storage tank 51 wherein a water drawoif line 52 having an automaticall operated release valve 53 may be used. An oil drawoff line 54; may be provided in the tank 51-having a pressure regulating valve 55 therein in the event it is desired to maintain superatmosphericpressures in the storage tank 51'. The valve 53 may be float actuated by a torque tube liquid level control; the float operating at the interface between the demulsified oil and water Within the tank 51. gas and vapor take-off 50 may be provided with a pressure regulating valve 61 therein if desired.

It may be desirable in a system utilizing a storage tank for receiving the agglomerated products from the electroacoustic transducer to permit such products toremain in such tank a sufficient time period for optimum'oil and water separation.

The system of FIGURE 7 can be operated with its contents underatmospheric pressure if desired.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the electroacoustic transducer Amaybeplaced in pipe connection 18 leading between a free water knockout B of the type described in the aforesaid U.S. Patent and co-pending applications and a separation tank C, or the electroacoustic transducer A, as shown in FIGURE 5 may be used in a multiple stage treatment which includes a free water knockout B, heater stage D and separation stage C. The transducer A may be used in a multiple stage system, as shown in FIGURE 6 between a free water knockout B and a heater D either with or without a separation stage C 7 The free water knockout heater and separator stages of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are specifically disclosed as to structure and functioning in my U.S. Patent 2,864,502, dated and separating The 4 December 16, 1958, and in co-pending applications, Serial No. 608,624, filed July. 7, 1956, Serial No. 584,818,

filed May 14, 1956 and Serial No. 608,625, filed Septemher 7, 1956.

In FIGURE 4 the free water knockout B is intended to separate any free water from the oil to be treated. It includes a tank 70 having a chamber 71 therein with a partition 72 subdividing the chamber 71 into an upper compartment 73, and a lower compartment 74. The emulsified product enters the compartment 72 through a line 75 and passes downwardly through a tube 76 out of perforations in said tube onto a lateral distributing or deflector pan 78 which distributes, the emulsion and water for best separating the free Water. The free water drops into the bottom of the compartment 74 and is discharged through a line 79 externally of the tank. The line '79 externally of the tank is provided with an automatically operated valve 80 which by means of a torque tube liquid level control 81 is opened and closed; its float 82 operating at the interface between the emulsion and the free water. The emulsified oil enters the upper end of a discharge tube 84 which leads downwardly and outwardly into pipe 18 for passing the emulsified product into the electroacoustic transducer A, with the result above described. The demulsified product is passed from the electroacoustic transducer A into' the separator C through a perforated nozzle 90. i

The separator C is of the type described in my above identified co-pending applications, including filter packs 91 and 92 subdividing the chamber of the tank 93 into a lower compartment 94; an intermediate compartment 95 and an upper compartment 96. A water'discharge line 97 leads from the bottom compartment 94 to externally of the tank where it is provided with a valve and torque tube liquid level control 98; the float '99 "of the latter operating at the interface between oil and water in the compartment 95. This separator tankC is shown by way of example. Other means may be -provided for cleaning the constituent parts of the demulsified product.

As shown .in FIGURE 5 it'may be desirable toinitially heat the demulsified product after the knockout of free water in the stage B The emulsified product is initially broken in the .tank B and treated for further separation in the electroa-coustic transducer A, which is positioned in a line 18 leading from the heater D to the separation stage C. For some types of hydrocarbon emulsions, it may be necessary to place the electroacoustic transducer A in advance of the heater tank and to that end it may [be located in an emulsion line 18 leading from the water knockout B as shown in FIGURE 6 and then passed into the heater D, and subsequently if desired the demulsified product may be treated for separation in a stage C In the multiple stage treatments of FIGURES 4 to 6 inclusive, superatmospheric pressures may befmaintained upon the emulsion to be treated throughout all of the stages and in the transducer A if desired or the system may be operated at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Flow speed and time of treatment in the electroacoustic transducer are important in order to prevent re-emulsification of the oil and water.

The transducer elements are preferably so focused in the electroacoustic transducer as to provide for cavitational levels of sound in approximately 50% of the oilwater being treated at any particular instant. For that reasonthe four transducer elements 41 are arranged' in cylindrical fashion. Such, arrangement was determined by the rate of How of oil in the chamber and an estimate of the time of treatment required per unit volume. Higher rates'of flow can be accommodated by using a greater number of transducer elements,'and itmaybe possible to usefewer transducer elements for lower rates of liquid flow.

I do not desire to be restricted to a cylindrical type of transducer, since it may be possible to use a hemispherical focusing element or other shapes; depending upon the configuration of the chamber in which the emulsion is to be treated. If higher driving powers can be tolerated, the necesary cavitational levels could be achieved by plane surface transducers without recourse to focus- It will be noted that the transducers of FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are vertically positioned. This is for the reason that the entire transducer must be completely full of liquid during operation, in order to secure the best separating and best focusing vibrations.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, and variations in the steps of sonic and ultra-sonic treatment of emulsions may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the separation of hydrocarbon emulsions comprising a heater for receiving hydrocarbon emulsions, means in the heater for breaking the emulsions to a substantial extent, a filter tank, means connecting the heater tank with the filter tank for flow of oil from the heater tank to the filter tank, means in the filter tank for filtering water from the oil therein, and means connected between the two tanks for treating the products received from the heater tank with ultra-sonic demulsi- -fying vibrations at approximately the cavitation level in the instant volume of oil flowing from the heater tank to the filter tank.

2. Apparatus for the treatment of hydrocarbon emulsions for resolving them into their constituent water, oil and gas parts comprising means for knockout of free water from the emulsified hydrocarbon, heater means for heating the emulsified product, means for subsequently filtering the product from the heater means, and means for treating the hydrocarbon product as it flows from the heater means to the filter means with ultra-sonic demulsifying vibrations at approximately the cavitation level.

3. A multiple stage treatment for resolving hydrocarbon emulsions into the constituents parts comprising means for free water knockout of Water from the emulsified hydrocarbon product, heater means for heating the emulsified product to substantially reduce the emulsification of the hydrocarbon product, means to filter the hydrocarbon product of the heater means for the removal of free Water from oil, and means between the free Water knockout and the heater means to subject the emulsion passing to the heater means with ultra-sonic demuls-itying vibrations at approximately the cavitation level.

4-. A multiple stage treatment apparatus for resolving hydrocarbon emulsions comprising a free Water knockout for treating hydrocarbon emulsions for removal of free water therefrom, a heater means for receiving the hydrocarbon product from the free water knockout and heating the same for substantially breaking the hydrocarbon emulsion, filter means for receiving the hydrocarbon product from the heater means for separation of free water from oil, and means for treating the hydrocarbon product between the free water knockout and the filter means with ultra-sonic demulsifying vibrations at approximately the cavitation level.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,257,997 10/41 Barnes. 2,384,222 9/45 Walker 210- X 2,457,959 1/49 Walker 210-258 X 2,578,505 12/51 Carlin 259 126 2,7 02,691 2/55 Virmani. 2,717,768 9/55 Carpentier. 2,864,502 12/58 May 2lO--19 X FOREIGN PATENTS 862,543 4/53 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES Alexander, R; Mfg. Chemist, January 1951 (XX'II, 1), pp. 5-6.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

CARL F. KRAFT, GEORGE D. MITCHELL,

' Examiners.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF HYDROCARBON EMULSIONS COMPRISING A HEATER FOR RECEIVING HYDROCARBON EMULSIONS, MEANS IN THE HEATER FOR BREAKING THE EMULSIONS TO A SUBSTANTIAL EXTENT, A FILTER TANK, MEANS CONNECTING THE HEATER TANK WITH THE FILTER TANK FOR FLOW OF OIL FROM THE HEATER TANK TO THE FILTER TANK, MENS IN THE FILTER TANK FOR FILTERING WATER FROM THE OIL THEREIN, AND MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE TWO TANKS FOR TREATING THE PRODUCTS RECEIVED FROM THE HEATER TANK WITH ULTRA-SONIC DEMULSIFYING VIBRATIONS AT APPROXIMATELY THE CAVITATION LEVEL IN THE INSTANT VOLUME OF OIL FLOWING FROM THE HEATER TANK TO THE FILTER TANK.