Method for obtaining hydrocarbon absorber and product obtained

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a hydrocarbon absorber by extraction and processing of vegetable fibres from the Australian king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, discarded as waste by the agricultural industry and possessing a high hydrocarbon sorption and agglutination capacity in land environments.

Description

METHOD FOR OBTAINING HYDROCARBON ABSORBER AND PRODUCT OBTAINED BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[001] The present request for an invention for a novel "Process Oil Absorbing Obtained and the Product" which refers to a hydrocarbon absorber production process from vegetable fibers from the Australian palm to be used in leaks / spills of hydrocarbons in general, in terrestiald environment. FIELD OF APPLICATION

[002] The present invention belongs to the field of chemistry, to chemical processes, more specifically to separation processes involving treating a liquid with solid sorbents, because it is a process of obtaining and product hydrocarbon absorptions in terrestrial environments. MOTIVATING REASON

[003] The constant human industrialization and urbanization of humanity, based mainly on fossil fuels, resulted in intense transformations and consequential environmental impact. In spite the intense transformations caused mainly by the use of fossil fuels, their substitution with other fuels has been slow, as the World Petroleum Industry has become the largest industry in the world today due to, among other factors, constant improvement and technological evolution in the sector.

[004] The exploration of hydrocarbons can be offshore, a type of exploration that takes place offshore, in maritime environment; or onshore, type of exploration in terrestrial environments. Both types have their environmental advantages and risks, including the spillage of these hydrocarbons in the environment from which they are being exploited.

[005] Oil spills into the environment leave traces of degradation that most of the time could have been avoided. They reach animals, plants and humans, with minimal possibilities of effective recovery of some specimens hit due to the permanence of the toxic substances in the ecosystems Unfortunately, such environmental disasters are more common than they should be; in order to try to minimize the negative impacts caused by them, some solutions are used after the spill / leak, being the use of microorganisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons and / or chemical / organic absorbing substances, which despite not fully and instantly repair the ecosystem, minimize the impact and enable it to recover gradually by removing the degrading agent. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[006] In the current state of the art, there are certain patent documents referring to production processes and / or absorbent products with the ability to draw hydrocarbons, the current state of the art has a diverse literature on the subject but, in general, refers to the production of absorbent "sachets" or to products which are used for the absorption of offshore hydrocarbons, i.e. in aquatic and marine environments.

[007] BR102012033306-6, entitled "Composite Preparation Process for Oil Absorption and Adsorption, Product and Use", comprises the association of polystyrene (PS) superhydrophobic nanomembranes with expanded exfoliated graphite in spiraled or milled form. The proposed nanomembranes have multiple function because they are hydrophobic, provide a means for the adsorption of hydrocarbons, especially petroleum, in addition to providing a means for containing expanded spiralized graphite. In order to contain expanded spiralized graphite, polystyrene superhydrophobic nanomembranes may also be deposited previously in cotton fibers, in the form of twill-like or fabric weave. Nanomembranes optimize the oil absorption capacity of the exfoliated graphite due to the high affinity for oil and do not absorb water from the medium. In addition, it is possible to associate PS super-hydrophobic nanomembranes in cotton fabrics to create the graphite containment medium. Said document proposes an oil absorbent composite, comprised of polystyrene and graphite, for absorption in marine environments, the present proposal in this patent application discloses the use of vegetable fiber prepared for hydrocarbon absorption in general in terrestrial environments.

[008] Document BR102012031354-5, entitled "Process for Obtaining Hydrophobic" Absorbent Fibers from Hydrocarbons and Oils" relates to a process for the preparation of the product obtained from hydrophobic absorbent fibers of hydrocarbons and oils, used to absorb oils and hydrocarbons, especially not restricted to accidentally spilled oil in various aqueous environments, obtained through a specific process with natural raw material, which avoids the production of a residue, and improves containment in the collection of spills. The absorbent product and its production process are based on the reintroduction to the market of a product made from organic fibers derived from bovine, equine or goat leather which, through a chemical and mechanical process. is denatured, As a result of this denaturation and with due chemical and physical treatments, the fibers behave as an efficient hydrocarbon-absorbent product, which results in the purification of contaminated water from these chemical agents. Moreover, this product proves to be a powerful absorber of oils and their oily derivatives of all type, mineral or vegetal, as well as of the toxic mineral oils of the electrical transformers This document proposes a product based on organic fibers, as well as the present patent application, but uses fibers of animal origin, which has been avoided by the market for reasons of protection and animal rights.

[009] In view of the above, it is observed that the proposal of a hydrocarbon absorber composed of vegetable fibers from cultivation and also agro-industry waste completely meets the demand of a market concerned with environmental issues, besides solving environmental problems arising from spills / leakage of hydrocarbons in terrestrial soils. PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The objective of the present invention is that of offering to the market an absorber produced from agricultural tailings and which is capable of sorting and agglutinating more. hydrocarbons with a smaller amount of material and thereby minimizing the environmental impacts related to the disposal of waste; and, also, that presents lower financial cost related to its use and its final destination. THE INVENTION

[0011] The present application relates to a method for obtaining absorber produced from the processing of Australian palm fibers (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), an agro-industrial tailings, which hats high sorption capacity and agglutination of hydrocarbons in terrestrial environments. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In short, the present invention provides the following main advantages: Increased sorption capacity of oil / gram when compared to natural products in the market; Simplicity in the method for obtaining the absorber; Reduced environmental impact due to the fact that it is an agricultural waste, and because it presents a high sorption index, it generates less amount of residue after being used; Best cost-benefit, either on sale or disposal, due to the greater sorption oil / gram. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The invention will be described in a preferred embodiment, thus, for better understanding, references will be made to the accompanying flowchart.

[0014] Figure 1: Flowchart of the method for obtaining hydrocarbon absorber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] 10015) The Method for Obtaining Hydrocarbon Absorbent and Product Obtained refers to the production method (Fig. 1) of hydrocarbon absorber from vegetable fibers, through the following method steps: the Australian palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) stem (1) is removed (E.1) and cut (E.2) transversely by a circular saw, generally used in carpenters, and gives pellets (2) of approximately 5cm in thickness and different diameters, according to the sawed stem. The pellets (2) are placed in an open environment for a period of one day on a cement floor, where the temperature oscillates between 25 and 50°C, so that the humidity is removed (E.3). After removal of the moisture (E.3), the dried pellets (3) are ground (E.4) in a hammer mill, so that their fibers can be removed, so the dried pellets (3) are placed through a conveyor belt directly in the mouth of the mill and passing through the hammers are dismembered (E.5) and give rise to two types of fibers, a finer type in powder form (4), which has different granulometry, and a type of long fiber (5) about 5cm in length; only the powdered fiber (4) is used in this method. Then the two types of fiber (4 and 5) have their moisture removed (E.6) in a circular dryer and / or sieve, where initially the fibers (4 and 5) pass through the dryer tube for about one minute, at a temperature of 80°C, and then the two types of fibers (4 and 5) are separated (E.7), when passing through two circular sieves, one of approximately 1.65mm granulometry where only the powdered fibers (4) pass and another sieve of approximately 5,11 mm where the long fibers (5) are withdrawn from this method to be used for other purposes. After separation (E.7) the powdered fibers (4) are exposed to the intense sun, where the temperature varies between 25 and 50°C, so that there is drying (E.8), until the present humidity is up to 15%, yielding dried powdered fibers (6), hereinafter absorber (6). A moisture test., for verification of 15%, is carried out with a moisture measuring device for biomass. After drying (E.8) until the desired moisture is obtained, the absorber (6) is packaged (E.9) with the use of a bagged bagger and stored (E10) in a dry environment and at a moat temperature.

[0016] In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed absorber (6), an absorption yield test was performed, which was based on the change in mass of the absorber after being exposed to a load of crude oil of sufficient volume to saturate the sample. Three volumes of approximately 20 ml of the material were measured to raise the degree of certainty and to allow statistical data that will prove the efficacy of the product.

[0017] The samples had their mass measured, and the ratio between their mass and the predefined volume (20 ml) made it possible to determine the density of the samples, according to the following formula in Equation (1). [Image disponible dans le document PDF, Image available in the PDF document] (1)

[0018] Afterwards, the samples were immersed in crude oil, with a higher volume for possible absorption in order to saturate the sample. After a period of 10 minutes of saturation of the material (immersed in crude oil), the samples were placed in a sieve to release a possible excess oil, the difference between the initial and the final mass of the samples represents the amount of oil absorbed in and absorption of the absorber.

[0019] The results were then subjected to statistical calculations to determine the amount of crude oil absorbed by the samples calculated using the following formula in Equation (2). [Image disponible dans le document PDF, Image available in the PDF document] (2)

[0020] Since the total absorbed is equal to the subtraction of the Final Mass by the Initial Mass, the total mass of crude oil is absorbed by one kilogram of the tested material. Table 1 below presents the results obtained. [Image disponible dans le document PDF, Image available in the PDF document] Table 1: Experimental Results on Crude Oil Absorption

[0021] The average value of 5,8 times its own valid weight proves the effectiveness of the natural source absorber for onshore leaks proposed in this patent application.

[0022] Preferably, for the absorption method, Australian palm fibers are used because they have shown better oil absorption results. However, fibers obtained from coconut, jute, sisal, sugar cane and macadam.

Claims

<pat:ClaimStatement>CLAIMS What is claimed is:< / pat:ClaimStatement> <pat:Claims com:id="claims"> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00001"> <pat:ClaimNumber>1< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>1. A method for obtaining a hydrocarbon absorber, comprising the following steps: performing transversal cuts of a stem from an Australian palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, originating tablets of approximately 5 cm in thickness and various diameters having their moisture removed through environmental exposure; grinding dried pastilles formed by drying the tablets in a hammer mill and dismembering them so that their fibers can be removed, and then drying said fibers, after dismembering, to form pellets which comprise two types of fiber, a powdered type of fiber and a long type of fiber having a length of approximately 5 cm; removing moisture from the two types of fiber in at least one of a circular dryer and a sieve; separating the two types of fiber to extract the powdered type of fiber; and drying the powdered type of fiber by exposing the powdered type of fiber to the sun. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00002"> <pat:ClaimNumber>2< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>2. The method for obtaining the hydrocarbon absorber, according to claim 1, wherein the absorber exhibits humidity up to 15%. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00003"> <pat:ClaimNumber>3< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>3. The method for obtaining the hydrocarbon absorber, according to claim 1, wherein the absorber exhibits absorption up to 5.8 times its mass. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00004"> <pat:ClaimNumber>4< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>4. A hydrocarbon absorber product, comprising a packaged dried powder comprising a powdered type of fiber from an Australian palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana; wherein the powdered type of fiber was formed by a process comprising the following steps: performing transversal cuts of a stem from the Australian palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, originating tablets of approximately 5 cm in thickness and various diameters having their moisture removed through environmental exposure; grinding dried pastilles formed by drying the tablets in a hammer mill and dismembering them so that their fibers can be removed, and then drying, after dismembering, to form pellets which comprise two types of fibers, the powdered type of fiber and a long fiber type having a length of approximately 5 cm; removing moisture from the two types of fiber in at least one of a circular dryer and a sieve; separating the two types of fiber to extract the powdered type of fiber; drying the extracted powdered type of fiber by exposing the powdered type of fiber to the sun; and packaging the dried powdered type of fiber. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00005"> <pat:ClaimNumber>5< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>5. The hydrocarbon absorber product, according to claim 4, wherein the absorber exhibits humidity up to 15%. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00006"> <pat:ClaimNumber>6< / pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>6. The hydrocarbon absorber product, according to claim 4, wherein the absorber exhibits absorption up to 5.8 times its mass. < / pat:ClaimText> < / pat:Claim> < / pat:Claims>