US20010001308A1 - Aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials (law847) - Google Patents
Aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials (law847) Download PDFInfo
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- US20010001308A1 US20010001308A1 US09/755,273 US75527301A US2001001308A1 US 20010001308 A1 US20010001308 A1 US 20010001308A1 US 75527301 A US75527301 A US 75527301A US 2001001308 A1 US2001001308 A1 US 2001001308A1
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- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title abstract description 16
- 239000000571 coke Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229920003169 water-soluble polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- 229920001285 xanthan gum Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000230 xanthan gum Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 235000010493 xanthan gum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 10
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- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 32
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000498 ball milling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 5
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 5
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- 238000007873 sieving Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003995 emulsifying agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
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- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-Hexane Chemical compound CCCCCC VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-pentane Natural products CCCCC OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002006 petroleum coke Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 2
- GJCOSYZMQJWQCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 9H-xanthene Chemical compound C1=CC=C2CC3=CC=CC=C3OC2=C1 GJCOSYZMQJWQCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 244000215068 Acacia senegal Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000416162 Astragalus gummifer Species 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 229920002907 Guar gum Polymers 0.000 description 1
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- 229920001732 Lignosulfonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000805 Pig iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920003171 Poly (ethylene oxide) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001615 Tragacanth Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000205 acacia gum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010489 acacia gum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- VJHCJDRQFCCTHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetic acid 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal Chemical compound CC(O)=O.OCC(O)C(O)C(O)C(O)C=O VJHCJDRQFCCTHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001335 aliphatic alkanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
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- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001273 butane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001525 carrageenan Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004939 coking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000000524 functional group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000008273 gelatin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011852 gelatine desserts Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000665 guar gum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010417 guar gum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229960002154 guar gum Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003063 hydroxymethyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229940031574 hydroxymethyl cellulose Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000002198 insoluble material Substances 0.000 description 1
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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- 239000002736 nonionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005504 petroleum refining Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
- C10L1/00—Liquid carbonaceous fuels
- C10L1/32—Liquid carbonaceous fuels consisting of coal-oil suspensions or aqueous emulsions or oil emulsions
- C10L1/326—Coal-water suspensions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
- B01F23/51—Methods thereof
- B01F23/511—Methods thereof characterised by the composition of the liquids or solids
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K23/00—Use of substances as emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, or foam-producing agents
- C09K23/16—Amines or polyamines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
- Y10T137/0391—Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to forming pumpable compositions from solid materials. More specifically, the invention relates to a fuel in the form of a pumpable fluid formed from solid carbonaceous materials.
- Solid carbonaceous materials are often formed as by-products of petroleum refining and separation.
- De-Asphalting Unit (DAU) rock and coke formed in coking units are examples of such materials. These materials are useful as fuels for power generation and also in reactions such as hydrocarbon partial oxidation.
- Solvent de-asphalting is one method for upgrading resids produced in vacuum and atmospheric pipestills.
- DAU rock is a solid carbonaceous material that has a high concentration of Conradson carbon (“Concarbon”) and metals.
- Concarbon Conradson carbon
- This material is useful as a feed for power generation and for the production of CO and hydrogen, a mixture frequently referred to as syngas, from the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons such as methane.
- Cokers are also used for refining resids produced in atmospheric and vacuum pipestills.
- Petroleum/refinery coke (“coke”) is the solid carbonaceous material formed in the coker. Coke generally forms in one of three solid morphologies. Most petroleum coke is formed as “sponge coke”, a hard porous irregularly shaped material ranging in size from about 20 inches to a fine dust. Some coke is formed in the shape of very fine needle shaped particles called needle coke. The least common form of coke is “shot” coke, named from the clusters of shot-sized pellets in which it is most often found.
- Petroleum coke does not have sufficient strength to be useful in the production of pig iron or as foundry coke. Additionally, the high concentration of metals in petroleum source results in high disposal costs. However, like DAU rock, this material is useful as a fuel for power generation and syngas production.
- the DAU rock or coke could be formed into an aqueous, pumpable fluid, the fuel could be transported easily and at low cost through conventional pipelines.
- the presence of water in the pumpable fluid along with the feed is advantageous in power generation, where water is frequently required for processes such as steam reforming.
- Certain aqueous slurries of coal and coke are known. These slurries are formed by combining coal or coke with an aqueous fluid containing polymers such as gum tragacanth, gum arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, starch, CM-cellulose, unhydrolyzed gelatin, carageenan, and hydroxymethyl cellulose.
- Treatment solutions known in the art may also contain anionic or non-ionic surfactants such lignosulfonate and polyethylene oxide surfactants. Such treatment solutions have surfactant and polymer concentration in the range of about 0.5 wt % (about 5,000 ppm) to about 5 wt %.
- One object of the present invention is the production of an aqueous treatment solution having reduced polymer concentration alone that is capable of forming DAU rock, coke, and mixtures thereof into a pumpable fluid.
- One embodiment is a method for forming an aqueous, pumpable admixture, by (a) admixing carbonaceous solid particles less than 177 microns in size wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock, and mixtures thereof, and an aqueous treatment solution wherein the amount of treatment solution ranges from about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of carbonaceous solid and treatment solution and wherein the aqueous treatment solution comprises a water-soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm; and then (b) subjecting the admixture to shearing forces for a time sufficient to reduce the admixture's viscosity to below about 20,000 cPs at ambient temperature (25° C.).
- Another embodiment is an aqueous, pumpable composition having a viscosity below about 20,000 cPs comprising a carbonaceous solid selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock, and mixtures thereof and an aqueous treatment solution comprising a water soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm, wherein the concentration of the carbonaceous solid in the treatment solution ranges from about 40 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the weight of the carbonaceous material and water.
- the invention may comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements or steps recited herein and may be practiced in the absence of a limitation not disclosed as required.
- FIG. 1 shows the behavior of an admixture of DAU rock and treatment solution containing xanthan gum polymer as a function of shear rate.
- FIG. 2 shows the behavior of an admixture of DAU rock and a treatment solution treatment solution formed from 100 ppm polyacrylamide.
- FIG. 3 shows the behavior of an admixture of coke and treatment solution containing xanthan gum polymer as a function of shear rate.
- a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed towards forming aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials as described herein.
- DAU rock, coke, and mixtures thereof are examples of solid carbonaceous materials that are useful in the practice of the present embodiment.
- solid carbonaceous material having a particle size ranging from about 10 ⁇ to about 177 ⁇ is combined with an aqueous treatment solution containing a small amount of polymer.
- Asphalts are not included within the term DAU rock.
- the DAU rock used is formed by contacting crude oil residuum obtained from atmospheric or vacuum pipestills with a suitable amount of alkane deasphalting solvent.
- solvents are known in the art and include propane, butane, pentane and hexane as are treatment conditions are known to those skilled in the art. Typical conditions include a ratio of feed to deasphalting solvent from 1:4 to 1:14. However, solvent ratios, temperatures and pressures for deasphalting are known to those skilled in the art.
- the treatment results in a deasphalted oil (“DAO”) and a solvent insoluble material termed DAU Rock.
- DAO deasphalted oil
- DAU Rock solvent insoluble material
- the solid carbonaceous material is combined with a treatment solution.
- the treatment solution is not merely added to the solid carbonaceous material.
- the treatment solution and solid carbonaceous material are mixed until the particles of solid carbonaceous material have been wetted by the treatment solution.
- the treatment solution is an aqueous solution wherein the amount of water present is sufficient to provide a solid to water ratio ranging from about 40:60 to about 80:20.
- the solid to water ratio will range from about 60:40 to about 70:30.
- the solid carbonaceous material should remain as solid particles in the aqueous treatment fluid.
- hydrocarbon is at a temperature greater than its softening point (i.e., is a liquid) and is mixed with water in the presence of surfactant or emulsifying agent at high temperatures and pressures.
- the treatment solution is a liquid-liquid system during preparation whereas the present embodiment is practiced as a solid-liquid system during the formation of the aqueous pumpable fluid and in the absence of a surfactant.
- the nature and properties of complex hydrocarbon-water fluids originating from liquid-liquid preparation are significantly different form those originating from solid-liquid preparations.
- the treatment solution contains water and a water-soluble polymer that is capable of viscosifying water.
- a surfactant is generally lower in molecular weight, will not viscosity water at the 10 to 500 ppm concentration range and contain distinct hydrophillic and hydrophobic functional groups per molecule.
- the polymer may be a functionalized polymer.
- Polymers that are useful in the practice of the invention include polyacrylamide polymer and xanthan gum. The polymer should be present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm. The preferred polymer is xanthan gum.
- the addition of this viscosifying or thickening agent alters the viscosity of the aqueous liquid and alters the wettability of solid carbonaceous material. As a result, the process can be practiced with a treatment solution comprising water and polymer.
- xanthan gum was capable of forming pumpable fluids at very low concentration, on the order of about 10 to 100 ppm, with the mixture of solid carbonaceous material and treatment solution subjected to shearing at about 100 rpm. This is unexpected because there is no surfactant or emulsifier required Additionally, lower concentrations of polymer being active without the surfactant or emulsifier indicates the stabilizing properties for the aqueous polymer solution at low concentrations is unexpected.
- the mixture's viscosity decreases when it is subjected to shearing forces at ambient temperature (20-26° C.) and atmospheric pressure.
- the viscosity decreases from that of a viscous fluid (approximately 20,000 cPs and above) to that of an aqueous pumpable fluid (below approximately 20,000 cPs) at a shear rate of about 100 rpm.
- the mixture is mixed for sufficient time and at a optimum rate so that the viscosity of the mixture is decreased to a value in the range that is pumpable. For example, after the initial shearing at 100 rpm, the mixture is equilibrated at rest for 48 hours. After 48 hours the viscosity behavior is repeatable indicating stability of the slurry.
- Mixtures of treatment solution and-solid may be readily transported via pipeline to power generating equipment after shearing decreases the mixture's viscosity into the range of a pumpable fluid.
- a DAU rock specimen was subjected to dry grinding and sieving in order to produce a DAU rock powder with a particle size ranging upwards to about 177 ⁇ .
- Admixtures of DAU rock and three different treatment solutions were prepared and subjected to shearing forces while monitoring admixture viscosity. The results of those measurements are shown in FIG. 1.
- Xanthan gum was used as the polymer.
- the points represented by triangles show the viscosity of a treatment solution containing 60 wt % DAU rock, 40 wt % water, 12.5 ppm polymer.
- FIG. 1 shows a decrease in viscosity as shear rate is increased. Shear of 100 rpms produced a pumpable solution.
- FIG. 2 shows the variation of shear rate with viscosity for this rock slurry. While it is possible to attain viscosity levels similar to those shown in FIG. 1, polyacrylamide concentration must be in the range of about 100 ppm.
- a Flexicoke specimen coke was used “as received” from a refinery Flexicoker unit Sieving the coke resulted in the removal of coke particles larger than 177 microns.
- Admixtures of coke and two different treatment solutions were prepared and subjected to shearing forces while monitoring admixture viscosity. The results of those measurements are shown in FIG. 3.
- the points represented by triangles show the viscosity of a treatment solution containing 60 wt % coke, 40 wt % water, 12.5 ppm xanthan polymer.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Liquid Carbonaceous Fuels (AREA)
Abstract
The invention is a method for forming a solid carbonaceous material into a pumpable fluid by combining the solid with an aqueous treatment solution and then subjecting the mixture to shearing forces. The solid carbonaceous material can be deasphalter unit rock (“DAU rock”), coke, and mixtures of DAU rock and coke. Aqueous treatment solutions contain a water soluble polymer.
Description
- 1. This application is a Divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/350,861 filed Jul. 9, 1999 based on Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 09/265,174 filed Mar. 9, 1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 889,744 filed Jul. 8, 1997.
- 2. U.S. Ser. No. 350,861 FILED Jul. 9, 1999
- 3. BASED ON: Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 09/265,174 filed Mar. 9, 1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 889,744 filed Jul. 8, 1997 which is based on Patent Memoranda 96CL 063 and 96CL 094
- 4. This application is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 09/265,174 filed Mar. 9, 1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 889,744 filed Jul. 8, 1997.
- 5. This application is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 09/265,174 filed Mar. 9, 1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of U.S. Ser. No. 889,744 filed Jul. 8, 1997.
- 6. The invention relates generally to forming pumpable compositions from solid materials. More specifically, the invention relates to a fuel in the form of a pumpable fluid formed from solid carbonaceous materials.
- 7. Solid carbonaceous materials are often formed as by-products of petroleum refining and separation. De-Asphalting Unit (DAU) rock and coke formed in coking units are examples of such materials. These materials are useful as fuels for power generation and also in reactions such as hydrocarbon partial oxidation.
- 8. Solvent de-asphalting is one method for upgrading resids produced in vacuum and atmospheric pipestills. One by-product of solvent de-asphalting is deasphalting unit (“DAU”) rock. DAU rock is a solid carbonaceous material that has a high concentration of Conradson carbon (“Concarbon”) and metals. The presence of Concarbon and metals diminishes DAU rock's usefulness as a feed for further refining and leads to very high disposal costs. However, this material is useful as a feed for power generation and for the production of CO and hydrogen, a mixture frequently referred to as syngas, from the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons such as methane.
- 9. Cokers are also used for refining resids produced in atmospheric and vacuum pipestills. Petroleum/refinery coke (“coke”) is the solid carbonaceous material formed in the coker. Coke generally forms in one of three solid morphologies. Most petroleum coke is formed as “sponge coke”, a hard porous irregularly shaped material ranging in size from about 20 inches to a fine dust. Some coke is formed in the shape of very fine needle shaped particles called needle coke. The least common form of coke is “shot” coke, named from the clusters of shot-sized pellets in which it is most often found.
- 10. Petroleum coke does not have sufficient strength to be useful in the production of pig iron or as foundry coke. Additionally, the high concentration of metals in petroleum source results in high disposal costs. However, like DAU rock, this material is useful as a fuel for power generation and syngas production.
- 11. One problem associated with the use of coke or DAU rock as a fuel results from the logistical difficulties and high transportation costs incurred in moving the fuel from a refinery to a power plant. Certain processes described in the art require an emulsion of two liquids (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,293,459 and 5,478,365). In such cases the presence of hot (liquefied) heavy hydrocarbon is required with a strong emulsifying agent There the hydrocarbon is not present as solid particles but must itself be liquefied.
- 12. However, if the DAU rock or coke could be formed into an aqueous, pumpable fluid, the fuel could be transported easily and at low cost through conventional pipelines. One should also note that the presence of water in the pumpable fluid along with the feed is advantageous in power generation, where water is frequently required for processes such as steam reforming.
- 13. There is therefore is a need for a method of forming coke or DAU rock into an aqueous, pumpable fluid.
- 14. Certain aqueous slurries of coal and coke are known. These slurries are formed by combining coal or coke with an aqueous fluid containing polymers such as gum tragacanth, gum arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, starch, CM-cellulose, unhydrolyzed gelatin, carageenan, and hydroxymethyl cellulose. Treatment solutions known in the art may also contain anionic or non-ionic surfactants such lignosulfonate and polyethylene oxide surfactants. Such treatment solutions have surfactant and polymer concentration in the range of about 0.5 wt % (about 5,000 ppm) to about 5 wt %.
- 15. One object of the present invention is the production of an aqueous treatment solution having reduced polymer concentration alone that is capable of forming DAU rock, coke, and mixtures thereof into a pumpable fluid.
- 16. One embodiment is a method for forming an aqueous, pumpable admixture, by (a) admixing carbonaceous solid particles less than 177 microns in size wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock, and mixtures thereof, and an aqueous treatment solution wherein the amount of treatment solution ranges from about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of carbonaceous solid and treatment solution and wherein the aqueous treatment solution comprises a water-soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm; and then (b) subjecting the admixture to shearing forces for a time sufficient to reduce the admixture's viscosity to below about 20,000 cPs at ambient temperature (25° C.).
- 17. Another embodiment is an aqueous, pumpable composition having a viscosity below about 20,000 cPs comprising a carbonaceous solid selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock, and mixtures thereof and an aqueous treatment solution comprising a water soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm, wherein the concentration of the carbonaceous solid in the treatment solution ranges from about 40 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the weight of the carbonaceous material and water.
- 18. The invention may comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements or steps recited herein and may be practiced in the absence of a limitation not disclosed as required.
- 19.FIG. 1 shows the behavior of an admixture of DAU rock and treatment solution containing xanthan gum polymer as a function of shear rate.
- 20.FIG. 2 shows the behavior of an admixture of DAU rock and a treatment solution treatment solution formed from 100 ppm polyacrylamide.
- 21.FIG. 3 shows the behavior of an admixture of coke and treatment solution containing xanthan gum polymer as a function of shear rate.
- 22. A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed towards forming aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials as described herein. DAU rock, coke, and mixtures thereof are examples of solid carbonaceous materials that are useful in the practice of the present embodiment. In the practice of the invention, solid carbonaceous material having a particle size ranging from about 10μ to about 177μ is combined with an aqueous treatment solution containing a small amount of polymer. Asphalts are not included within the term DAU rock. The DAU rock used is formed by contacting crude oil residuum obtained from atmospheric or vacuum pipestills with a suitable amount of alkane deasphalting solvent. These solvents are known in the art and include propane, butane, pentane and hexane as are treatment conditions are known to those skilled in the art. Typical conditions include a ratio of feed to deasphalting solvent from 1:4 to 1:14. However, solvent ratios, temperatures and pressures for deasphalting are known to those skilled in the art. The treatment results in a deasphalted oil (“DAO”) and a solvent insoluble material termed DAU Rock.
- 23. In cases where the solid carbonaceous material is in the form of particles exceeding 177μ in size, some method of separating the oversized particles such as sieving must be employed to ensure that particles larger than 177μ are excluded. Alternatively, some method of comminuting, such as wet grinding, dry grinding, or ball milling the solid carbonaceous material may be used to reduce the particle size to below 177μ. Combinations of comminuting and sieving may also be used in connection with obtaining particles in the proper size range. In cases where particle size must be reduced, ball milling is preferable to dry grinding. Ball milling is preferred because it can be conducted in the presence of the treatment solution and because ball milling results in particles that are smaller and more uniformly sized. Consequently, ball milling will generally not require a separate sieving step. In any event the resulting particles will be essentially non-spherical i.e., irregularly shaped.
- 24. Once the proper particle size is obtained, the solid carbonaceous material is combined with a treatment solution. Importantly, the treatment solution is not merely added to the solid carbonaceous material. The treatment solution and solid carbonaceous material are mixed until the particles of solid carbonaceous material have been wetted by the treatment solution. The treatment solution is an aqueous solution wherein the amount of water present is sufficient to provide a solid to water ratio ranging from about 40:60 to about 80:20. Preferably, the solid to water ratio will range from about 60:40 to about 70:30. The solid carbonaceous material should remain as solid particles in the aqueous treatment fluid. This is distinguished from those described in the art wherein hydrocarbon is at a temperature greater than its softening point (i.e., is a liquid) and is mixed with water in the presence of surfactant or emulsifying agent at high temperatures and pressures. Thus, in the prior art the treatment solution is a liquid-liquid system during preparation whereas the present embodiment is practiced as a solid-liquid system during the formation of the aqueous pumpable fluid and in the absence of a surfactant The nature and properties of complex hydrocarbon-water fluids originating from liquid-liquid preparation are significantly different form those originating from solid-liquid preparations.
- 25. The treatment solution contains water and a water-soluble polymer that is capable of viscosifying water. A surfactant is generally lower in molecular weight, will not viscosity water at the 10 to 500 ppm concentration range and contain distinct hydrophillic and hydrophobic functional groups per molecule. The polymer may be a functionalized polymer. Polymers that are useful in the practice of the invention include polyacrylamide polymer and xanthan gum. The polymer should be present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm. The preferred polymer is xanthan gum. The addition of this viscosifying or thickening agent alters the viscosity of the aqueous liquid and alters the wettability of solid carbonaceous material. As a result, the process can be practiced with a treatment solution comprising water and polymer.
- 26. Surprisingly, it was discovered that among the polymers known to form aqueous slurries with carbonaceous materials, xanthan gum was capable of forming pumpable fluids at very low concentration, on the order of about 10 to 100 ppm, with the mixture of solid carbonaceous material and treatment solution subjected to shearing at about 100 rpm. This is unexpected because there is no surfactant or emulsifier required Additionally, lower concentrations of polymer being active without the surfactant or emulsifier indicates the stabilizing properties for the aqueous polymer solution at low concentrations is unexpected.
- 27. The mixture's viscosity decreases when it is subjected to shearing forces at ambient temperature (20-26° C.) and atmospheric pressure. The viscosity decreases from that of a viscous fluid (approximately 20,000 cPs and above) to that of an aqueous pumpable fluid (below approximately 20,000 cPs) at a shear rate of about 100 rpm. The mixture is mixed for sufficient time and at a optimum rate so that the viscosity of the mixture is decreased to a value in the range that is pumpable. For example, after the initial shearing at 100 rpm, the mixture is equilibrated at rest for 48 hours. After 48 hours the viscosity behavior is repeatable indicating stability of the slurry.
- 28. In cases in which the solid is coke, the same general behavior seen for DAU rock is observed.
- 29. Mixtures of treatment solution and-solid may be readily transported via pipeline to power generating equipment after shearing decreases the mixture's viscosity into the range of a pumpable fluid.
- 30. A DAU rock specimen was subjected to dry grinding and sieving in order to produce a DAU rock powder with a particle size ranging upwards to about 177μ. Admixtures of DAU rock and three different treatment solutions were prepared and subjected to shearing forces while monitoring admixture viscosity. The results of those measurements are shown in FIG. 1. Xanthan gum was used as the polymer. The points represented by triangles show the viscosity of a treatment solution containing 60 wt % DAU rock, 40 wt % water, 12.5 ppm polymer.
- 31.FIG. 1 shows a decrease in viscosity as shear rate is increased. Shear of 100 rpms produced a pumpable solution.
- 32. The sample was then allowed to equilibrate for two days at ambient temperature (25° C.) and pressure, and the viscosity measurements were repeated at the end of that interval. No significant changes in viscosity was observed indicating the slurry was stable over a 48 hour time period.
- 33. For comparison purposes, a treatment solution using polyacrylamide in place of xanthan gum was tested. The polyacrylamide had an average molecular weight of 5×106 and was obtained from Polysciences Inc., Warrington, Pa. FIG. 2 shows the variation of shear rate with viscosity for this rock slurry. While it is possible to attain viscosity levels similar to those shown in FIG. 1, polyacrylamide concentration must be in the range of about 100 ppm.
- 34. A Flexicoke specimen coke was used “as received” from a refinery Flexicoker unit Sieving the coke resulted in the removal of coke particles larger than 177 microns. Admixtures of coke and two different treatment solutions were prepared and subjected to shearing forces while monitoring admixture viscosity. The results of those measurements are shown in FIG. 3. The points represented by triangles show the viscosity of a treatment solution containing 60 wt % coke, 40 wt % water, 12.5 ppm xanthan polymer.
- 35. A decrease in viscosity with shear rate is observed similar to the DAU rock slurry.
- 36. The sample was then allowed to equilibrate for two days at ambient temperature and pressure, and the viscosity measurements were repeated at the end of that interval. No significant change in viscosity was observed indicating the slurry was stable over a 48 hour period.
Claims (6)
1. A method for forming a pumpable admixture, the method consisting essentially of:
admixing carbonaceous solid particles less than 177 in size wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock and mixtures thereof, and an aqueous treatment solution wherein the amount of treatment solution ranges from about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % of the total weight of carbonaceous solid and treatment solution and wherein the aqueous treatment solution comprises a water-soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm; and then
subjecting the admixture to shearing forces for a time sufficient to reduce the admixture's viscosity to below about 20,000 cPs at ambient temperature.
2. The method of wherein the carbonaceous solid is obtained by comminuting the carbonaceous solid.
claim 1
3. The method of wherein the carbonaceous solid is comminuted in the presence of the treatment solution.
claim 2
4. The method of wherein the polymer in xanthan gum.
claim 3
5. An aqueous, pumpable composition having a viscosity at ambient temperature below about 20,000 cPs comprising a carbonaceous solid consisting of particles less than 177μ in size wherein the carbonaceous solid is selected from the group consisting of coke, DAU rock, and mixtures thereof and an aqueous treatment solution comprising a water soluble polymer capable of viscosifying water, the polymer being present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 ppm, wherein the concentration of the carbonaceous solid in the treatment solution ranges from about 40 wt % to about 70 wt % based on the weight of the carbonaceous material and water.
6. The method of wherein the polymer is xanthan gum.
claim 5
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US26517499A | 1999-03-09 | 1999-03-09 | |
US09/350,861 US6211252B1 (en) | 1997-07-07 | 1999-07-09 | Method for forming aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials |
US09/755,273 US6444711B2 (en) | 1997-07-07 | 2001-01-05 | Aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials |
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US11492543B2 (en) * | 2020-02-07 | 2022-11-08 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Proppant particulates formed from flexicoke and methods related thereto |
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US6211252B1 (en) * | 1997-07-07 | 2001-04-03 | Exxon Research And Engineering Company | Method for forming aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials |
US8197562B2 (en) * | 2008-10-03 | 2012-06-12 | Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company | Modification of rheological properties of coal for slurry feed gasification |
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US4293459A (en) | 1979-06-07 | 1981-10-06 | American Can Company | Asphalt emulsion-conditioner |
DE3161582D1 (en) * | 1980-05-31 | 1984-01-12 | Allied Colloids Ltd | Dispersion of solid carbonaceous material in water |
US4375358A (en) | 1980-09-02 | 1983-03-01 | Conoco Inc. | Fuel slurries of solid carbonaceous material in water |
FR2538407A1 (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1984-06-29 | Raffinage Cie Francaise | LIQUID FUEL BASED ON PULVERIZED SOLID FUEL, PETROLEUM RESIDUES AND WATER, ITS PREPARATION PROCESS AND APPLICATION IN BOILERS OR INDUSTRIAL FURNACES |
US4529408A (en) * | 1983-01-24 | 1985-07-16 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Pumpable solid fuels for small furnace |
US4604188A (en) | 1983-08-11 | 1986-08-05 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Thermal upgrading of residual oil to light product and heavy residual fuel |
FR2557588B1 (en) | 1984-01-04 | 1986-04-25 | Elf France | PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF COAL-WATER MIXTURES |
FR2558840B1 (en) * | 1984-01-31 | 1986-09-26 | Rhone Poulenc Spec Chim | AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF SOLID PARTICLES |
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US4692169A (en) * | 1984-12-27 | 1987-09-08 | Henkel Corp. | Use of etherified polygalactomannan gums as carbonaceous slurry stabilizers |
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FR2588012B1 (en) | 1985-10-01 | 1988-01-08 | Sodecim | PROCESS FOR HOMOGENEIZING A MIXTURE OF AQUEOUS RESIDUAL LIQUIDS AND LIQUID OR SOLID FUELS |
US4743981A (en) | 1986-01-31 | 1988-05-10 | Walt Disney Productions | System for synchronizing audiotape and videotape machines |
US4872885A (en) | 1986-02-27 | 1989-10-10 | Kawasaki Jukogyo Kagushiki Kaisha | Dispersant for aqueous slurry of carbonaceous solid and aqueous carbonaceous solid slurry composition incorporating said dispersant therein |
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CA2153277A1 (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 1996-01-06 | Kenichiro Hayashi | Additive for carbonaceous solid-water slurry, method for production thereof, and carbonaceous solid-water slurry composition |
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US6211252B1 (en) * | 1997-07-07 | 2001-04-03 | Exxon Research And Engineering Company | Method for forming aqueous, pumpable fluids from solid carbonaceous materials |
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US11492543B2 (en) * | 2020-02-07 | 2022-11-08 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Proppant particulates formed from flexicoke and methods related thereto |
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