Thomas L Pruitt

US Patent:

62452169, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

Feb 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/802742

Inventors:

Philip Dean Hill - Baton Rouge LA
Thomas Edwin Pruitt - Deer Park TX
Forrest Lee Sanders - Katy TX
Gilles Guerin - Eaubonne, FR
Bruno Langlois - Sainte Genevieve des Bois, FR

Assignee:

Rhodia Inc. - Cranbury NJ

International Classification:

C10G 1700

US Classification:

208 13

Abstract:

Process for the preparation of an aqueous tar suspoemulsion by mixing a mixture including (a) a viscous tar composition formed from a tar, from inorganic solids and, optionally, from water, (b) water (W), (c) a surface-active agent (SA) exhibiting an HLB of at least 10 and, optionally, (d) a thickening water-soluble polymer (TWP) with a molecular mass of greater than 10,000, the relative amounts of constituents (W), (SA) and, optionally, (TWP) being such that the viscosity of the (W)+(SA)+optional (TWP) mixture is preferably equal to or greater than the viscosity of the said tar, and then optional dilution of the mixture obtained with water or with an aqueous acidic solution. The process is particularly advantageous when applied to to the residues, containing sulphuric acid, resulting from the synthesis of white oils from petroleum fractions. The present invention further relates to a method for fluidizing acidic tars/sludges including contacting the tar/sludge with sulfuric acid and a surfactant. Optionally, a carrier for the surfactant's incorporation into the tar/sludge can be utilized.

US Patent:

6197837, Mar 6, 2001

Filed:

Mar 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/263641

Inventors:

Philip Dean Hill - Baton Rouge LA
Thomas Edwin Pruitt - Deer Park TX
Forrest Lee Sanders - Katy TX
Gilles Guerin - Eaubonne, FR
Bruno Langlois - Sainte Genevieve des Bois, FR

Assignee:

Rhodia Inc. - Cranbury NJ

International Classification:

B01F 1712
B01F 314
C01B 1774
C08L 9500

US Classification:

516 41

Abstract:

A process for the preparation of an aqueous tar suspoemulsion includes the steps of mixing a mixture including (a) a viscous tar composition formed from a tar, from inorganic solids and, optionally, from water; (b) water (W); (c) a surface-active agent (SA) exhibiting a hydrophilicity/lipophilicity balance (HLB) of at least 10; and, optionally, (d) a thickening water-soluble polymer (TWP) with a molecular mass of greater than 10,000. The relative amounts of constituents (W), (SA) and, optionally, (TWP) are such that the viscosity of the (W)+(SA)+optional (TWP) mixture is preferably equal to or greater than the viscosity of the tar. An optional embodiment of the process provides for dilution of the mixture obtained with water or with an aqueous acidic solution. By virtue of providing a pumpable medium, the process is particularly advantageous for cleaning sulfuric acid tars/sludges from containers/vessels such as transportation containers, pipes, and storage tanks, without the necessity of placing personnel in intimate physical contact with the material to be removed.