Used Oil Halogen Removal via Electrostatic Field Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fossil fuels, particularly used oil, contain high levels of sulfur and halogens, which cause environmental and health hazards due to corrosion, catalyst poisoning, and the formation of toxic compounds, necessitating effective removal methods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving heating, aerating, vacuum condensation, cooling, and subjecting the oil to an electrical field using sintered metals to create an oil foam, condense, and filter out halogens and sulfur, utilizing a series of processes including heating coils, air injection passages, vacuum chambers, cooling chambers, electrifiers, and filter banks to treat used oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional refining methods are used to remove sulfur and halogens, then some purification is achieved, but the process is inefficient and cannot reduce contaminants to sufficiently low levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional thermal/chemical refining to low-temperature electrostatic field treatment. The electrifier generates strong electric fields (without high heat) to alter the physical state of sulfur and halogen compounds, enabling their separation at temperatures below 100°C, thus achieving both high purification precision and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/thermal refining systems with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of using high-temperature distillation or chemical catalysts, the electrifier uses electric fields to directly interact with and separate polar contaminant molecules from nonpolar oil molecules, achieving superior purification without the inefficiencies of conventional mechanical refining
2Quantity of substance
If high temperatures are used to process oil, then some contaminants are removed, but energy consumption increases and volatile compounds may be released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature processing to low-temperature processing. The electrifier achieves contaminant removal through electric field effects rather than thermal energy, maintaining processing temperature below 100°C while still effectively separating sulfur and halogen compounds, thus reducing energy consumption and preventing volatile releases
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple treatment stages are implemented to achieve high purification, then contaminant removal improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the key purification function into a single electrifier component. Rather than implementing multiple sequential treatment stages (filtration, distillation, chemical treatment), the system uses one electrifier that performs all separation functions simultaneously through electric field effects, simplifying the overall system while achieving high purification levels
Solution Approach 2:
The electrifier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electric fields for separation, acts as a heating element through resistive heating, and functions as a reaction chamber. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate equipment for each treatment stage, reducing system complexity while maintaining high purification effectiveness
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 method effectively reduces halogen and sulfur content in used oil by up to 90%, preventing the formation of dioxins and enabling the safe reuse or burning of treated oil, thereby mitigating environmental and health risks.
Implementation Method 1
heating the inputted oil to about 82° F.-100° F.
Implementation Method 2
aerating the heated oil to create an oil foam
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the oil foam to a vacuum to condense the oil
Implementation Method 4
cooling the condensed oil
Implementation Method 5
subjecting the cooled oil to an electrical field
Implementation Method 6
filtering the electrified oil
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for removing halogens and sulfur from used oil. The used oil is heated and aerated, followed by rapid vaporization and cooling. The cooled oil is then subjected to an electrical field before being filtered.