Hydrocarbon Extraction Composition Using Supercritical CO2
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting and recovering hydrocarbon products from petroleum sludge and contaminated soils are inefficient, costly, and not economically viable, especially for materials with low petroleum content, and do not effectively reduce the complexity and cost of subsequent remediation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a terpene solvent, an oxidizing agent, co-solvents, and a solvent enhancing agent, which increases the API gravity of hydrocarbon materials, reducing viscosity and allowing for effective extraction without heating or pressurizing, is used to treat petroleum sludge and contaminated soils, allowing for the recovery of a higher percentage of hydrocarbons in a cost-effective manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If prior extraction techniques are used on sludge with low petroleum content, then the process can be performed, but the recovery is not economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using a supercritical fluid (carbon dioxide) and modifying it with alcohol co-solvents. This allows the extraction process to become economically viable for low petroleum content sludge by significantly improving recovery efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness through ambient temperature operation and reusable equipment.
2Productivity
If prior extraction techniques are used on sludge with high petroleum content, then the process can be performed, but the recovery is only marginally effective and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (alcohol co-solvent) that modifies the supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance its extraction capabilities. This intermediary allows the system to effectively handle high petroleum content sludge by improving hydrocarbon recovery efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple process that operates at ambient temperature and uses reusable equipment.
3Productivity
If heating or pressurizing is used to extract hydrocarbons, then extraction efficiency may improve, but energy consumption and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs supercritical carbon dioxide, which naturally achieves the necessary extraction efficiency through its inherent supercritical properties at ambient temperature. The system serves itself by using the unique properties of the supercritical fluid to perform extraction without requiring additional heating or pressurizing equipment, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition significantly increases the recovery of hydrocarbon materials from both low and high petroleum content materials, is environmentally friendly, and reduces the cost and complexity of remediation, while being less toxic and less damaging to equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A composition comprising a terpene solvent, an oxidizing agent, co-solvents, and a solvent enhancing agent, which increases the API gravity of hydrocarbon materials, reducing viscosity and allowing for effective extraction
Implementation Method 2
A composition comprising a terpene solvent, an oxidizing agent, co-solvents, and a solvent enhancing agent
Data Source
AI summary
An environmentally friendly composition and method which increase the API gravity, increase the solubility, and reduce the viscosity of hydrocarbon materials to provide enhance extraction and removal of the hydrocarbon materials for purposes of recovery or cleaning.