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Separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing liquid

DC
  • US 6,485,639 B1
  • Filed: 01/07/1999
  • Issued: 11/26/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A filtration media bed for removal of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing liquid comprising:

  • a hydrocarbon absorbing polymeric absorbent comprising alternating units of at least two polymers selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, and propylene, said hydrocarbon absorbing polymeric absorbent having a particle size ranging from a fine powder to about 700 micron; and

    a filtration enabler intimately mixed with said polymeric absorbent to provide channels through said filtration media bed to achieve a desired flow rate of the hydrocarbon-free liquid, said filtration enabler having a particle size about the same as a particle size of said polymeric absorbent;

    wherein upon contacting the filtration media bed with the hydrocarbons, the hydrocarbons partially dissolve a surface of said polymeric absorbent, prior to said polymeric absorbent substantially absorbing the hydrocarbons, whereby said polymeric absorbent becomes tacky and absorbs said hydrocarbons allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through said filtration media bed, and wherein upon excessive hydrocarbon exposure said polymeric absorbent dissolves, tackifies and forms a plug at least at a top portion of said filtration media bed to seal off and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbons upon excessive hydrocarbon exposure.

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