Method and apparatus for treating oil-water-solids sludges and refinery waste streams

Patent · Tue Nov 14 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6915628

Skinner, J L

This patent describes a system for treating sludge such as refinery waste streams, oil storage tank sludges and marine tanker ballast water to distill low boiling temperature liquids, oxidize heavy hydrocarbon substances and oxidize heavy metal solids contained in the sludge for reduction of the sludge to recovered liquids, oxidized hydrocarbons, and oxides of heavy metals which are substantially water insoluble. The system comprises: dryer means for receiving a flow stream of the sludge. The dryer means being operable to conduct the sludge therethrough and to vaporize liquids in the sludge which are boilable at temperatures in the range of 700{degrees}F or less. The dryer being operable to discharge substantially dried solid particles therefrom; a combustor/oxidizer in communication with the dryer for receiving the dried solid particles; means for supplying an oxygen containing gaseous flow stream to the combustor/oxidizer for oxidizing hydrocarbons in the combustor/oxidizer and for reducing heavy metals in the solid particles to oxides which are substantially water insoluble; means for discharging oxidized solid particles from the combustor/oxidizer; and means for separating the gaseous flow stream from the oxidized solid particles for disposal.

• Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co., Los Angeles, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4881473; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-303324A
• OSTI ID: 6915628
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020800* -- Petroleum-- Waste Management
COMBUSTORS
DRYING
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MINERAL WASTES
OXIDIZERS
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLUDGES
SOLID WASTES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES