Mineral oils: processes and products – Paraffin wax; treatment or recovery
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-21
2001-09-25
Vollano, Jean F. (Department: 1621)
Mineral oils: processes and products
Paraffin wax; treatment or recovery
C208S037000, C518S728000, C585S009000, C585S899000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294076
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a process for producing a mixture of a Fischer-Tropsch product that is solid at ambient conditions (between 32° F. and 95° F.), such as Fischer-Tropsch wax, and a hydrocarbon liquid at ambient temperature, such as naphtha, that can be pumped from a remote location and subsequently separated by conventional methods such as flashing, distillation, or filtration with minimal contamination from the hydrocarbon liquid.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Oil fields typically have deposits of natural gas associated with them. In remote locations where transport of this gas may not be economically attractive, gas conversion technology can be used for chemically converting natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. Current gas conversion technologies rely on the chemical conversion of natural gas to synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Synthesis gas is then reacted in a catalyzed hydrocarbon synthesis process commonly known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,982 to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.
Waxes produced from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis have many desirable properties. These waxes have very high purity since they are essentially free of any sulfur, nitrogen and aromatics. Additionally, Fischer-Tropsch waxes have high normal paraffin content.
Generally, the transport of wax is not a problem because the wax, which is typically a solid below 100° F., is produced at refineries or chemical plants with easy access to railcar or truck loading docks. However, most gas conversion plants are built in remote locations and hence, the above-mentioned conventional methods for shipping the wax are often unavailable.
Some methods for transporting the wax from a remote location include shipping it in a cargo bay as a solid, in heated tanks and tankers, in a solvent, steam traced pipelines, or as a slurry. Solutions and slurries are attractive methods because they can be pumped at ambient conditions. However, the availability of solvents in remote locations can be a problem.
Therefore, it is desirable to transport the Fischer-Tropsch product that is solid at ambient conditions in a medium that is readily available at a remote location and that is easily separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product upon completion of the transport with minimal contamination from the hydrocarbon liquid medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a Fischer-Tropsch product that is solid at ambient conditions (between 32° F. and 95° F.), such as a Fischer-Tropsch wax, is blended with hydrocarbon liquid at ambient temperature (between 32° F. and 95° F.), such as naphtha, to form a mixture that can be pumped at ambient temperature. The temperature of the mixture is controlled below the melting point of the Fischer-Tropsch product, thus producing a heterogeneous mixture.
The Fischer-Tropsch product and hydrocarbon liquid mixture is transported via conventional methods for the movement of liquids such as via pipeline, tanker, or railcar.
At the completion of the transport, the hydrocarbon liquid and Fischer-Tropsch product are separated by conventional methods such as flashing, distillation or filtration. The hydrocarbon liquid derived from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, which is available at a remote location, allows for the transport of the Fischer-Tropsch product with minimal contamination from the hydrocarbon liquid.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 30281 (1980-05-01), Tackett et al.
patent: 5866751 (1999-02-01), Womack, Jr. et al.
Ansell L. L.
Berlowitz Paul J.
Genetti W. B.
Ryan Daniel F.
Brumlik Charles J.
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
Parsa J.
Provoost Jonathan N.
Simon Jay
LandOfFree
Fischer-Tropsch wax and hydrocarbon mixtures for transport... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fischer-Tropsch wax and hydrocarbon mixtures for transport..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fischer-Tropsch wax and hydrocarbon mixtures for transport... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2549290