Method for solids separation in a wet oxidation type process

• US 4,822,497 A
• Filed: 09/22/1987
• Issued: 04/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Modar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Modar, Inc.
• Inventors: Hong, Glenn T., Killilea, William R., Thomason, Terry B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hart, Charles
• Application Number:
  US07/099,773
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 210/177, 210/181, 210/721, 210/722, 210/737, 210/761, 210/766, 210/774
• US Class Current: 210/721
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0203 with a supercritical fluid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 11/086 in the supercritical state

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel aqueous-phase oxidizer and solids separator reactor. More particularly, the invention relates to a two zone pressure vessel in which precipitates and other solids fall or are sprayed from a supercritical temperature super zone into a lower temperature sub zone. The feed material may consist of various waste products which are subsequently oxidized in the super zone of the pressure vessel. The resultant brine or slurry which is found at the lower temperature sub zone of the vessel is removed via a pipe and disposed of accordingly.

Claims

1. A method for the separation of precipitates and other solids from a fluid comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a pressurized feed material including water, organics, inorganics, and oxygen into a super zone of a pressurized vessel comprised of said supercritical temperature super zone and a lower temperature sub zone thereby forming a supercritical temperature fluid phase;

(b) providing a liquid phase in the sub zone of the vessel;

(c) allowing the supercritical temperature fluid phase to oxidize under supercritical temperature conditions in the super zone and to form an oxidized super fluid phase and precipitates therein;

(d) transferring the precipitates and other solids from the oxidized supercritical temperature fluid phase in the super zone to the liquid phase provided in the sub zone, to produce a solution or slurry;

(e) removing the oxidized super fluid phase from the super zone of the vessel; and

(f) removing the solution or slurry from the sub zone of the vessel.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pressurized feed material is selected from the group comprising water, organics, inorganics, particulates, sludge, soil, neutralizing agents, salt forming agents, minerals, air, and oxygen or other gases, and is admitted by a feed pipe located in the super zone of the vessel.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supercritical temperature fluid phase is oxidized at a supercritical temperature and a supercritical pressure.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein during its oxidation, the supercritical temperature fluid phase flows toward the sub zone, changes flow direction and the oxidized super fluid phase exits by a pipe from the super zone of the vessel.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the precipitates and solids which are insoluble in the oxidized super fluid phase are transferred by inertia and gravity from the supercritical temperature fluid phase in the super zone to the liquid phase provided in the sub zone of the vessel.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid phase provided in the sub zone of the vessel is comprised of water, an aqueous solution or mixture admitted into the sub zone from outside the vessel.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the solution or slurry containing precipitate is removed via a pipe from the sub zone of the vessel.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid phase provided in the sub zone of the vessel is comprised of condensate formed within the sub zone as a result of cooling of the sub zone of the vessel.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the solution or slurry containing the precipitates is removed via a pipe from the sub zone of the vessel.

10. A method for the separation of precipitates and other solids from a fluid comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a pressurized feed material selected from the group comprising water, organics, inorganics, particulates, sludge, soil, neutralizing agents, salt forming agents, minerals, air, and oxygen or other gases by a feed pipe into a super zone of a pressurized vessel, said vessel comprised of said supercritical temperature super zone above a lower temperature sub zone, thereby forming a supercritical temperature fluid phase;

(b) providing a liquid phase in the sub zone of the vessel by the introduction of water or aqueous solution or mixture via a pipe into the sub zone of said vessel;

(c) allowing the supercritical temperature fluid phase to oxidize and form an oxidized super fluid phase and precipitates therein under supercritical temperature conditions in the super zone;

(d) allowing the precipitates and other solids present in the oxidized super fluid phase to impinge by inertia and fall by gravity from the oxidized super fluid phase in the super zone to the liquid phase provided in the sub zone to produce a solution or slurry;

(e) removing the oxidized super fluid phase from the super zone of the vessel; and

(f) removing the solution or slurry from the sub zone of the vessel.