WO2015074131A1

WO2015074131A1 - Vehicle and system for separating and recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-contaminated water

Info

Publication number: WO2015074131A1
Application number: PCT/BR2014/050016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joel Ligiéro Vargas Júnior
Original assignee: Joel Ligiéro Vargas Júnior
Priority date: 2013-11-19
Filing date: 2014-11-19
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Also published as: BR102013029760A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) for separating and recovering hydrocarbons, comprising a travelling support structure carrying a tank (2) for separating a mixture of water and hydrocarbon, at least one suction pump (3) with an inlet for a mixture of water and hydrocarbon and an outlet (5) in communication with an inlet into the tank (2), at least one water and hydrocarbon separator (13) disposed inside the tank (2) for separating the mixture of water and hydrocarbon; at least one container (4) for storing the hydrocarbon recovered from the mixture of water and hydrocarbon, at least one hydrocarbon drainage means (13) with an inlet above the water surface in the separation tank (2), in the zone downstream of the separation of the hydrocarbon from the water, and an outlet in communication with at least one container (4) for storing the hydrocarbon recovered. The invention also relates to a system for separating and recovering hydrocarbons, comprising this vehicle (1).

Description

MOBILE SEPARATION AND RECOVERY SYSTEM

HYDROCARBON IN WATER CONTAINED WITH THE SAME

The present invention relates to a vehicle for hydrocarbon separation and recovery in hydrocarbon processing and treatment facilities and a system for separation and recovery of hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon contaminated water from environmental accidents where leakage occurs. hydrocarbons into the sea or water sources. The mobile vehicle or equipment and system locally performs hydrocarbon separation from a water and hydrocarbon mixture, quickly and efficiently.

Description of the prior art

In the oil and hydrocarbon production and processing industry in general, such as oil refineries, and in other facilities involving the handling of petroleum and its derivatives, there are fixed oily water treatment systems whereby seeks to separate the dissolved oil from the water that is used within the facility for various purposes. For example, water that is used in the process and / or for flushing the facilities and / or rainwater comes into contact with oil residues in those facilities and mixes with it. It is interesting to recover water for ecological and environmental reasons, as well as to recover the hydrocarbon mixed therein, which has economic value.

Oily water systems have gutters or any type of sewage system into which rainwater or hydrocarbon-mixed cleaning water flows. This contaminated water is directed to small oily water accumulation sites, and must then be transported to a large fixed water and oil separator tank (API separator).

Fixed water and oil separator tanks are usually quite large in size, so they take up a lot of physical space within said facilities. In addition, eventually these tanks are located a few kilometers away from the collection site. hydrocarbon mixed water, as these industrial facilities can also occupy very large areas.

Oily water is transported to the separator tank by vacuum trucks that have a hose that sucks the oily water content from small local accumulators, and then carries it to the fixed separator tank, often about 20 km away. It is important to note that this transported oily water usually has low mixed hydrocarbon content, so that the volume transported by the truck is approximately 90 to 99% made up of water, which characterizes low productivity, especially considering that several trips over several times are required. day.

To meet the demand for large refineries, for example, more than ten vacuum trucks are needed, which, in addition to representing a cost to the refinery, are circulating on the premises, posing a danger to employees who also transit the facility on foot.

In addition, API tanks, although large in size, receive a large amount of oily water and the separation process takes some time for the water to reach acceptable purity levels. It is therefore not uncommon for the productivity of these separator tanks to be a bottleneck in the production of large refineries, especially in times of increased rainfall.

Finally, there are relatively frequent cases of hydrocarbon leakage in marine, river or lake environments, which can cause major environmental disasters and an emergency response is required for recovery and separation of spilled hydrocarbon. In these cases, the supernatant hydrocarbon is recovered by mechanical means using pumps, containment barriers and skimmers. In these situations, ships or large vessels are usually used to which water mixed with hydrocarbon is pumped, and then transported to the land environment, where the separation and recovery of hydrocarbon and water is effectively performed. This procedure It is quite costly as it also requires the ship to carry a fairly large water content of up to 50% along with the recovered supernatant hydrocarbon. Equipment that improves this oil-to-separator transport logistics and that increases water and hydrocarbon separation productivity in such hydrocarbon processing facilities is not known in the art.

It is also not known in the art to provide equipment that provides hydrocarbon separation of water locally and immediately in emergency response situations and thus improves this oily water transport logistics.

Objectives of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to reduce or eliminate the need for vacuum trucks within refineries and to increase the productivity of water and hydrocarbon separation to meet environmental needs and generate hydrocarbon that has economic value.

It is also an object of the invention to provide equipment which is capable of locally separating hydrocarbon from oily water, reducing or eliminating the need for oily water transport to separating tanks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrocarbon separation and recovery system capable of extracting the mixed hydrocarbon in water for large tanks or oily water accumulation sites in industrial facilities.

And finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a hydrocarbon separation and recovery system used in emergency response to hydrocarbon spills to prevent environmental disasters, and to reduce the need for temporary storage tanks in such situations.

Brief Description of the Invention

The objects of the invention are achieved by a hydrocarbon separation and recovery vehicle comprising a displaceable support structure on which they are supported: a tank for separating a mixture of water and hydrocarbon;

at least one suction pump with an inlet for a hydrocarbon water mixture and an outlet in communication with a tank inlet;

at least one hydrocarbon mixed water heating device, the device being arranged in one of the suction pump outlet, the water inlet within the tank, upstream of the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator or the downstream of the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator;

at least one water and hydrocarbon separator for separating the water and hydrocarbon mixture disposed within the tank;

at least one air bubble barrier installed upstream, in the middle or downstream of at least one water and hydrocarbon separator

at least one container for storing hydrocarbon recovered from the water and hydrocarbon mixture;

at least one hydrocarbon drainage means with an inlet disposed above the water surface in the separation tank in the region downstream of the separation of water and hydrocarbon, and an outlet communicating with at least one reclaimed hydrocarbon storage container .

The vehicle further comprises at least one hydrocarbon absorber package, called polishing package, comprising:

• synthetic or natural, high hydrocarbon absorption material; or

· High surface coalescing material specific for separation of water and hydrocarbon mixture.

The polishing pack may further be disposed within the tank, preferably removably, downstream of the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator. Each polishing pack preferably comprises a polygon-shaped frame oriented vertically to a vertical axial axis, and contains a filling that is confined by through screens attached to the frame. The compression level of the polishing package filling is adjustable.

The polishing package made of coalescent material is preferably made of metal material with varying composition and dimensions. The at least one water and hydrocarbon separator comprises a plurality of coalescing plates, each separator being removably disposed in the separation tank and comprising at least one polygon-shaped frame oriented vertically to a vertical axial axis, wherein the coalescing plates are detachably coupled to the frame at certain angles.

Alternatively each separator comprises at least one frame disposed transversely to the separation tank.

Preferably, each frame comprises a plurality of plate modules, the coalescing plates of these modules being detachably coupled at certain angles. Each module is arranged adjacent to each other and the angle of inclination of the coalescing plates of each module adjacent to each other is congruent and the spacing between each module is variable and adjustable.

The amount of coalescing plates arranged in each frame is variable, the inclination angles of the coalescing plates in each frame are adjustable and changeable with respect to the axial axis, and the spacing between adjacent coalescing plates coupled to the same frame is adjustable. Coalescent plates may be flat or corrugated.

The at least one hydrocarbon storage container preferably has a forklift loadable shape and may alternatively be arranged close to the vehicle support structure.

The at least one hydrocarbon drainage means preferably comprises a tube with adjustable height above the water surface in the separation tank, and the outlet of the tube is in communication with an outlet in the lower portion of the separation tank. The at least one hydrocarbon drainage means may alternatively also comprise a skimmer installed within the separation tank, preferably downstream of the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator.

The at least one heating device is capable of heating the water and hydrocarbon mixture to a solubilization temperature of hydrocarbon compounds present in the mixture and consists of one of an electrical resistance and a steam heat exchanger. The vehicle may further comprise at least two towing devices and be self-propelled or towable or towable.

The objects of the invention are further achieved by a hydrocarbon separation and recovery system comprising:

a vehicle of the type described hereinbefore;

at least two towing devices coupled to the vehicle's movable support structure;

a containment barrier having a floating body on the surface of a water and hydrocarbon mixture and two ends coupled to the towing devices, the containment barrier being pulled with the aid of towing means and dragged over the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture forming a floating hydrocarbon buildup region along its body in the dragging direction;

at least one floating skimmer on the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture in the floating hydrocarbon accumulation region, the skimmer being able to collect the accumulated hydrocarbon on the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture; and

at least one hydrocarbon conductor arranged in communication between a skimmer outlet and the vehicle suction pump inlet, leading the hydrocarbon collected by the skimmer to the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will hereinafter be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show:

Figure 1 is a side view of the waste sorting and recovery vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the waste separation and recovery vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the frame used in the water and hydrocarbon separator in a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hydrocarbon separation and recovery system comprising the waste separation and recovery vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of vehicle 1 or mobile equipment according to the invention for separating and recovering hydrocarbons such as oil, gasoline and others in hydrocarbon contaminated water. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vehicle consists of a self-propelled vehicle, such as a truck. This vehicle 1 has a long frame or chassis with sufficient space to support and relocably accommodate the components required for a hydrocarbon separation and recovery system to prevent the transport of oily water to a large API separator tank. usually used in refineries and facilities for processing or handling hydrocarbon and derivatives. In the front portion of the vehicle frame according to this embodiment of the invention is located the cabin for drivers and passengers of vehicle 1. In the rear portion of the structure are located the other components used in the separation and recovery of hydrocarbon. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the structure is in the form of a chassis, since the vehicle used is a truck.

However, other types of self-propelled or self-propelled vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, trailers, rafts, boats or even boards, may be used in cases of hydrocarbon leakage in aquatic environments. If vehicles do not have their own traction, they may be towed or towed by other vehicles or means of traction and do not necessarily have a driver's cab. However, the important thing is that the vehicle comprises a movable support structure for the elements necessary for the separation and recovery of the mixed hydrocarbon. This structure allows these elements to be moved together to the location where the water and hydrocarbon mixture is located, so that hydrocarbon separation and recovery can be done locally.

A separation tank for a water and hydrocarbon mixture 2 is arranged at the rear of the vehicle's movable support structure, where the hydrocarbon separation from the water and hydrocarbon mixture, also called oily water, will effectively occur, with the aid of a coalescing plate water and hydrocarbon separator 13 located within tank 2. At least one suction pump 3 is also located at the rear of the displaceable support structure, preferably closer to the rear end of the vehicle. This pump will be responsible for sucking the oily water from an oily water accumulation site and throwing it into the separating tank 2. Thus, pump 3 has a hydrocarbon water inlet and a communication outlet 5 with a tank 2 inlet. Typically, a hose has one end connected to the pump inlet and the other end in contact with the water and hydrocarbon mixture in the local accumulator to transport the liquid into the vehicle 1. According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the vehicle 1 may comprise more than one suction pump 3, all connected to the separation tank 2, so that the same vehicle can simultaneously collect oily water from several accumulation sites at the same time. The tank 2 comprises at its inlet a pentagon-shaped solids separator chamber 6 or any other type of polygon which has two sloping faces forming a funnel pointing towards the floor of the component support. This separating chamber 6 is for separating the heavier solid waste pumped into the separating tank 2 by the pump 3 by decanting when the oily water enters the tank turbulently. Immediately upon entering the oily water into the separation chamber 6, the mixture collides with a plurality of baffles 7 disposed within the chamber 6 in the flow path to decrease the velocity. of the mixture and to break the pressure with which the mixture is pumped into the separation tank 2.

After separation of the solid residues and passage through baffles 7, the oily water finds at the exit of the solids separator chamber 6 a series of perforated plates 8 with holes of calculated diameters, preferably 1.5 ", arranged vertically and transversely. to the separation tank 2. This arrangement is advantageous in that it creates a laminar flow with homogeneous distribution of the oily water, so a preferential mixing path is not created within the separation tank 2 so that the oily water flow is distributed across the surface of the separators 13, increasing the contact of the water flow with the coalescing plates 14 and thereby improving the separation performance obtained.If there is no homogeneity of the mixture distribution across the separator plates 13, the efficiency of the separation is affected.

A heating device 9 is installed in association with each of the pumps 3 to heat the water and hydrocarbon mixture that is sent to the separation tank. Such a device may be operated as necessary to heat the water and hydrocarbon mixture if heating is important to solubilize hydrocarbon derivatives present in the mixture, for example when paraffinic compounds are mixed with the hydrocarbon residue to increase the efficiency of the hydrocarbon residue. separation and recovery. In the case of paraffinic compounds, the heating device 9 should be able to heat the mixture of water and hydrocarbon at a temperature between 60 and 80 ^Q C to solubilize these paraffinic compounds and facilitate the separation and extraction of the same from the oily water . Generally, however, the heating should be up to a temperature sufficient to solubilize hydrocarbon compounds present in the mixture. The heating device must therefore be arranged in a location between the outlet of each suction pump 3 and the water inlet within tank 2 and may even be arranged within tank 2 upstream of at least one. water and hydrocarbon separator 13 or downstream of at least one water and hydrocarbon separator 13, however, preferably near the water inlet, so that heating occurs before the oily water passes through the coalescing separating plates 14 arranged in the water and hydrocarbon separator 13, which will be further described below.

If the heating device 9 is arranged inside the tank 2 or just outside the pump, an electric resistor is preferably used. If the heating device 9 is located in the region between the pump outlet 3 and the tank 2 inlet, preferably a heat exchanger with steam or electrical resistance is used so that oily water is heated from the exchanger.

Further to the separating tank 2, at least one hydrocarbon storage container 4 separated and recovered from the water and hydrocarbon mixture is disposed in the movable support structure of vehicle 1. In one embodiment of the invention, there are arranged about four separate hydrocarbon storage containers 4 which are located under a platform just behind the passenger cabin of the vehicle. In this way, the upper part of the platform can be used as additional space for other equipment that may be required, and this upper part of the platform is accessible by means of a ladder.

Hydrocarbon storage containers 4 preferably have a fork-liftable shape so as to facilitate their transport, such as approximately square tanks, in the form of tumblers. However, other containers such as drums or any other type of container suitable for hydrocarbon storage may also be used.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the invention, the at least one hydrocarbon storage container 4 is disposed externally to and connected to vehicle 1, that is, not necessarily the hydrocarbon storage container 4 is supported on the vehicle structure 1, it could be, for example, a truck equipped with a separate hydrocarbon transport vessel to which the hydrocarbon separated from water is drained or pumped.

In addition, at least one hydrocarbon drainage means 10 is disposed in the separation tank 2 in the region after the separation of water and hydrocarbon occurs, that is, after the water and hydrocarbon mixture crosses the coalescing plates 14, as will be better described below. This is because after coalescing, the separated hydrocarbon tends to float on the water, so this drain inlet positioned above the water line will only drain this separate hydrocarbon without or with minimal water content. Drainage means 10 is in communication with one of the recovered hydrocarbon storage containers 4 via a hydrocarbon drainage outlet 11 so that the drained hydrocarbon is sent to said container 4.

According to one embodiment of the invention, as drainage means 10 is used a drain arranged with an inlet located above the water surface in the separation tank 2, in the region after the separation of water and hydrocarbon, and an outlet in communicating with one of the reclaimed hydrocarbon storage containers 4, whether on or off the vehicle structure. According to the invention, various hydrocarbon drains may be used in the configuration described herein, for example, each drain may have the outlet connected to a different hydrocarbon storage container 4.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the drain is configured as a fishing tube which is immersed within the liquid within tank 2, with the outlet of the tube communicating with an outlet in the lower portion of the separation tank 2. Fisher tube has adjustable height so that the inlet is arranged above the water surface in the separation tank 2, but always in the region where there is hydrocarbon accumulation, so that it can drain it. Thus, the drain works even if the amount of water separated from the hydrocarbon is small. Hydrocarbon drainage means 10 may also comprise a skimmer, preferably a roller or hose skimmer, installed within the separation tank 2 and sending the drained hydrocarbon to the recovered hydrocarbon tanks 4 in order to increase the separation efficiency, providing faster and more hydrocarbon concentration in the recovered hydrocarbon tanks 4. The skimmer outlet may also be in communication with an outlet in the lower portion of the separation tank 2. The type and size of the skimmer are proportional to the design operating flow of the skimmer. separation tank 2.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a bubble barrier forming device 12 is disposed within the oil and water separator 13, which aids in pushing the hydrocarbon buildup and bubble formations onto the surface of the mixture, improving separation efficiency. Such bubble barrier device 12 may be disposed at the liquid flow inlet in the separator, and / or at the separator flow outlet, and / or in the middle of the separator. The bubble barrier device 12 is preferably installed at the bottom of the separation chamber 2, so that the bubbles formed cross the separation chamber upwardly from the bottom to the liquid surface, dragging as much as possible together. of hydrocarbon accumulation formations. For better performance depending on the hydrocarbon content mixed in water, more than one bubble barrier device 12 may be used.

When the hydrocarbon formation collides with the upwardly moving air bubble towards the surface, this formation also acquires this movement, thus assisting in a pre-separation of the mixture before entering at least one water and hydrocarbon separator 13 and also at the end of the separation, catching some hydrocarbon particles that did not rise to the surface.

Such a curtain or bubble barrier also assists in the useful cleaning time of at least one water and hydrocarbon separator, so that when performing this pre-separation, a part of the hydrocarbons no longer contacting at least one water and hydrocarbon separator 13, which causes less buildup of encrusted hydrocarbon on coalescing plates 14. In addition, the bubble curtain decreases the chances of clogging and increases the efficiency of the separator. of water and hydrocarbon 13.

The bubble barrier device 12 may have any configuration as long as it forms bubbles, preferably so that they take the form of a barrier. Preferably the bubble barrier device 12 is a spray nozzle coupled to a compressor external to the separation tank 2 or a perforated tube, the bubble barrier device 12 may be included with or external to vehicle 1.

As mentioned above, in the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator 13 a plurality of coalescing plates 14 are arranged for separation of the water and hydrocarbon mixture. These coalescing plates 14 are arranged in a frame 15 in which they are supported in the proper position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coalescing separator plates 14 are supported by a plurality of frame modules 18. Each frame module 18 has the shape of a polygon oriented vertically to an axial axis. For example, the frame 15 consists of the edges forming the outer structure of a cube or parallelepiped. The coalescing plates 14 are detachably coupled to the frame modules 18 at certain angles. Plates 14 located at different faces of each module 18 of the frame may be coupled at different angles to the vertical geometry axis, preferably congruent angles. In addition, the amount of coalescing plates 14 disposed on either side of the polygonal frame 15 may be varied as the plates 14 are fitted and may be removed from the frame 15. The inclination angles of the coalescing plates 14 on each side The sides of the polygonal frame 15 are adjustable and changeable with respect to the axial axis. That is, on either side of tab 13, The plates 14 may be fitted to the frame 15 at different angles to the vertical axis, depending on the desired result and the characteristics and components of the water and hydrocarbon mixture. Normally, the plates 14 on the same side of the frame 15 are coupled with the same inclination angle and with the same distance between neighboring plates, with the angle variation occurring between the different sides of the separator 13.

Also the spacing between adjacent coalescing plates 14 coupled on the same side of the polygonal frame 15 is adjustable and may be increased or decreased. This spacing is advantageous and necessary to aid in the ascendancy of coalesced hydrocarbons. This feature is also important, as in some industrial installations, sand mixing in oily water is also common. This mixture of oily water with sand can cause clogging of coalescing plates 14, which requires periodic maintenance of cleanliness of these plates 14 to remove sand and other impurities dissolved in water. An easy way to increase the separation space between adjacent plates 14 is to remove some plates alternately from one face of the separator. Thus, sand and other impurities can be prevented from accumulating between the plates 14 by increasing the space between them and reducing the need to maintain separator 13. The amount of coalescing plates 14 inserted into the frame can also vary according to other desired purposes, such as the final value in PPM (parts per million) of hydrocarbons in the mixture. If the PPM concentration of hydrocarbons is to be decreased at the end of the separation, or if the oily water fed to the separator has a very high hydrocarbon content, the amount of plaque is increased to provide a greater contact surface of the separator. 13 with oily water, which increases the amount of oil extracted, but decreases the flow rate through the separator. Otherwise, the number of plates 14 is reduced. On the other hand, if the hydrocarbon type of the mixture is a more paraffinic hydrocarbon, the amount of coalescing plates 14, increasing the space between neighboring plates to avoid clogging and consequently loss of coalescing efficiency. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in detail in Figure 3, the frame 15 is in the form of a single structure and arranged transversely to the separating tank 2, with the coalescing plates 14 detachably and reliably coupled to this frame. certain angles. The frame comprises at least one upper rod 16 and at least one lower rod 16 extending across tank 2 disposed transversely of tank 2 and joined together by vertical columns 17. At rods 16 and columns 17 are formed a plurality of supports 20 for the plurality of coalescing plates 14. These supports 20 may be in the form of teeth, similar to a comb. The coalescing plates 14 are detachably coupled to this frame 15 at certain angles.

In addition, the amount of coalescing plates disposed on each segment of frame 15 between two vertical columns 17 may be varied as the plates 14 are fitted and can be removed from frame 15. The inclination angles of coalescing plates 14 on each frame segment 15 are adjustable and changeable with respect to the vertical axis. In a preferred embodiment, at least one column 17 is fixed between the two rods 16, dividing the interior of the frame 15. The column 17 also comprises a plurality of supports 20 for the plurality of coalescing plates 14. The spacing between adjacent coalescing plates 14 coupled to frame 15 is also adjustable in this embodiment of the invention and may be increased or decreased.

Coalescent plates 14 used in frame 15 in the above-mentioned embodiments may be flat or corrugated. Corrugated plates have the advantage of increasing the contact surface with the water and hydrocarbon mixture, providing better hydrocarbon separation performance. The water and hydrocarbon separators 13 comprising the frame 15 are disposed within the oil separator tank 2. removable flap and easily removable from inside the tank for maintenance and cleaning.

Standards and good practice state that the water coming out of the separator must have a maximum of 15 PPM oil so that it can be disposed of directly into the environment. With the use of tabs 13 only, this content is sometimes not achieved. To ensure that the maximum value of 15 PPM is reached, one or more water and hydrocarbon auxiliary devices, herein referred to as polishing packs, may be installed, preferably downstream of the hydrocarbon water separator 13 in the flow direction. 19. Such separating aids 19 preferably have a natural material or a hydrocarbon-absorbing polymer, such as polyurethane or polyethylene foam or any other oil-absorbing polymer, or a metallic material, such as high surface stainless steel. to withstand corrosion and the operating temperature of 60 to 80oC. Such a specific high surface metal material may be, for example, in the form of machining chips or steel wool, with varying composition and dimensions, forming a tangle.

Thus, when the oily water passes through said separating aids or polishing packs 19, a portion of the hydrocarbon mixed in the oily water is retained in the hydrocarbon absorbing material so as to further reduce the hydrocarbon content in the water. oily. In one embodiment of the invention, each separating aid or polishing pack 19 comprises a frame with polygon-shaped modules, for example in the form of a cube or parallelepiped, oriented vertically with respect to a vertical axis, and the The interior of such frame is filled with said hydrocarbon absorbing material or specific high surface metal material which is confined by means of screens attached to the frame. The compression level of this material from the polishing package 19 is adjustable. Polishing packs 19 are removably disposed in the separating tank 2 and the amount of polishing packs 19 is variable depending on the hydrocarbon content in water, the hydrocarbon composition, among other requirements. The polishing packages 19 may alternatively or additionally be arranged upstream of the water and hydrocarbon separators 13, or in a position above the separators 13 within the tank.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, vehicle 1 further comprises at least two trailer coupling devices 22 which may be used to tow other equipment by the vehicle as desired. Such trailer devices 22 may be constituted in the form of electric, hydraulic or pneumatic driven winches coupled to the support structure, for example for the movement of a containment which will be further described below.

If the vehicle according to the invention does not have its own traction means, it may also have coupling means with another vehicle or a traction means, which allows it to be pulled and moved if necessary.

The invention also relates to a hydrocarbon recovery system that can be installed in large reservoirs of water and hydrocarbon mixtures such as aeration tanks, hydrocarbon processing facilities, or in natural aquatic environments where there is accumulation. hydrocarbon, usually due to leaks, such as rivers, lakes, marine environments, among others. This system is illustrated in figure 4.

In the particular case of aeration basins, they consist of large basins with small hydrocarbon concentrations within them, commonly used in industrial installations, which contain large volumes of water with a small mixed hydrocarbon content. These basins are very subject to contamination, so that water, once contaminated, cannot be drained into the environment. Eventually it may be necessary to stop sending hydrocarbons to these basins because they are contaminated, which is detrimental to refinery productivity.

Similarly, natural aquatic environments where hydrocarbon leaks occur also involve a large volume of water compared to the volume of mixed hydrocarbon. In general, hydrocarbon recovery from oily water contained in these basins or aquatic environments is also performed in API separator tanks, which also requires the transport of water and hydrocarbon mixtures by vacuum trucks or vessels. These vehicles end up carrying a water content of about 90 to 99%, so that the hydrocarbon content is also small, which means low productivity. The hydrocarbon recovery system according to the present invention comprises a vehicle 1 of the type described herein and provided with at least two towing devices 22 in its displaceable support structure.

As can be seen from figure 4, the system further has a containment barrier 21 floating over the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture. Such retaining barrier 21 preferably has two ends coupled to the towing devices of the vehicle 22, for example in the form of winches, so that it can be dragged over the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture by the moving vehicle 1. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the containment barrier 21 is not coupled to vehicle 1. It can be dragged by other equipment or simply arranged over the mixture of water and hydrocarbons.

As part of the hydrocarbon dissolved in water tends to float, dragging the containment barrier 21 generates a buildup of a thick hydrocarbon layer on the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture in the region near the containment barrier 21 in the direction in which it is contained. dragged.

Due to the formation of the thick hydrocarbon layer in the accumulation region near the containment barrier 21, this accumulated hydrocarbon can be drained from the water and hydrocarbon mixture with the aid of at least one hydrocarbon drainage medium 10, preferably at least a skimmer, also arranged floating above the water and hydrocarbon mixture, in this region of accumulation near the containment barrier 21, which collects this floating aqueous hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon collected by at least one skimmer is sent through at least one hydrocarbon conductor 23 for the inlet of at least one suction pump 3 of the vehicle, such as at least one hose with an inlet close to at least one skimmer and at least one outlet connected to the inlet of the at least at least one suction pump 3. Depending on the concentration of hydrocarbons removed by at least one skimmer, at least one suction pump 3 does not direct the mixture into the separating tank 2 but directs to the at least one container 4

The containment barrier 21 has a floating body on the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture and may for example consist of one or more floats and may also have a barrier element which is attached to the float (s). and immersed in the mixture of water and hydrocarbon with a portion extending toward the bottom to facilitate hydrocarbon drag over the upper portion of the basin content. However, the float (s) alone may already be able to provide the effect of hydrocarbon buildup on the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture so that it can be drained from there with the aid of skimmer and hydrocarbon conductor 23.

The system according to the invention may use as vehicle 1, for example, a truck when it is used for hydrocarbon recovery in an aeration basin, or a vessel when used for emergency response to hydrocarbon spill in natural aquatic environments. As vehicle 1 a board can also be used that is pulled by a traction vehicle to which it is coupled or even by another vehicle. However, the system according to the invention is not limited to such vehicles, and other types of self-propelled or self-propelled vehicles may be used, as explained above, provided that the vehicle comprises a displaceable support structure for the elements necessary for separation and recovery of the mixed hydrocarbon in the water which allows these elements to be moved together to the location of the water and hydrocarbon mixture, so that hydrocarbon separation and recovery is done locally.

In cases of emergency response to hydrocarbon leaks in natural aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes and marine environments, this system according to the invention is capable of providing a very fast and efficient solution. This is because the separation and recovery of hydrocarbon from water is done locally and instantaneously, discarding clean water locally, avoiding the transport of water mixed with hydrocarbon to the land where separation and recovery will take place. and also saving large amounts of fuel that would be spent on this displacement.

It is important to note that, compared to a similar sized vessel used in the prior art, a vessel using the system of the present invention is capable of removing much more hydrocarbon from the water in a much shorter time frame as it only needs to store hydrocarbon into your storage space by just making a trip. This way, it is possible to considerably reduce the environmental impact caused by the hydrocarbon leak. When a truck or other self-propelled vehicle is used as a vehicle of the present invention in hydrocarbon processing facilities such as refineries, it provides significant productivity advantages as such a vehicle replaces about 6 commonly used vacuum trucks. in these facilities. This productivity gain is due to the fact that the vehicles according to the invention perform locally the separation and recovery of water and hydrocarbon, and consequently the recovery of these two products for reuse. This eliminates the need to transport the water and hydrocarbon mixture to the separator within the hydrocarbon processing facility. Water separated from the hydrocarbon may be disposed of locally and the recovered hydrocarbon may be transported by forklift to the appropriate location. Eliminating the transport of the water and hydrocarbon mixture to the separation and recovery site eliminates the safety, cost and time inconveniences associated with moving the vehicle within the facility. In addition, the individual cost of a hydrocarbon recovery vehicle according to the invention is about 30% lower than the costs of vacuum trucks commonly used for transporting oily water within such facilities.

The present invention also provides the environmental advantage of not overloading the water and hydrocarbon systems of the treatment and handling facilities, as well as generating clean water with a hydrocarbon content of less than 15 PPM. Having described a preferred embodiment example, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the appended claims, including the possible equivalents thereof.

Claims

1 . Hydrocarbon separation and recovery vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrocarbon storage container (4) recovered from the water and hydrocarbon mixture and at least one displaceable support structure on which:

a tank for separating a mixture of water and hydrocarbon (2);

at least one suction pump (3) with an inlet for a hydrocarbon-water mixture and an outlet (5) in communication with a tank inlet (2);

at least one hydrocarbon water separator (13) comprising coalescing plates (14) for separating the water and hydrocarbon mixture disposed within the tank (2);

at least one hydrocarbon drainage means (10) with an inlet disposed above the water surface in the separation tank (2) in the downstream region of at least one water separator and hydrocarbon (13), and a communication outlet with at least one reclaimed hydrocarbon storage container (4).

Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one container (4) for storing hydrocarbon recovered from the water and hydrocarbon mixture is arranged in the displaceable support structure.

Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one heating device (9) for heating the hydrocarbon-mixed water, wherein the at least one heating device (9) is provided. arranged in at least one of: between the suction pump outlet and the water inlet of the tank (2) inside the tank (2), downstream of the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator (13) and inside upstream of the water and hydrocarbon separator (13).

Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises at least one air bubble barrier device (12) at the bottom of the tank (2) arranged in at least one of: upstream of the water and hydrocarbon separator (13), downstream of at least one water and hydrocarbon separator (13) and transversely of the water and hydrocarbon separator (13).

Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises at least one auxiliary device for separating water and hydrocarbons (19) removably disposed within the tank (2) in accordance with the invention. that each auxiliary water and hydrocarbon separation device (19) comprises one of: a hydrocarbon-absorbing natural material, a hydrocarbon-absorbing polymeric material and a specific high surface metal material.

Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that each separation aid (19) comprises a frame filled with said material.

Vehicle according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the auxiliary separation device for water and hydrocarbon separation (19) is arranged downstream of the water and hydrocarbon separator (13).

Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one water and hydrocarbon separator (13) comprises a plurality of frame modules (18) with a plurality of coalescing plates (14). coupled to each frame module (18) spaced apart, detachably and at determined angles.

Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water and hydrocarbon separator (13) comprises a frame (15) disposed transversely to the separation tank (2) with a plurality of coalescing plates (14) coupled to the frame spaced apart at detachable angles.

Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the amount of coalescing plates (14) disposed in the water and hydrocarbon separator (13) is variable and the spacing between adjacent coalescing plates (14) in the separator It is adjustable.

1 1. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inclination angles of the coalescing plates (14) in the water and hydrocarbon separator (13) are adjustable and variable with respect to the vertical axis.

Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the water and hydrocarbon separators (13) are removably arranged in the separation tank (2).

Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one hydrocarbon drainage means (10) consists of a tube with adjustable height above the water surface in the water tank. (2), and the pipe outlet is in communication with an outlet in the lower portion of the separation tank (2).

Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the at least one hydrocarbon drainage means (10) comprises a skimmer installed within the separation tank (2) downstream of the hair. least one water and hydrocarbon separator (13).

Vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the at least one heating device (9) heats the water and hydrocarbon mixture to a solubilization temperature of hydrocarbon compounds present in the carrier. mixture and consists of one of an electrical resistance and a steam heat exchanger.

Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises at least two towing devices.

Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it has its own traction.

18. Hydrocarbon separation and recovery system, comprising:

a vehicle (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 17; at least two towing devices coupled to the vehicle's movable support structure (1); a containment barrier (21) having a floating body on the surface of a water and hydrocarbon mixture and two ends coupled to the towing devices, the containment barrier (21) being pulled with the aid of the towing means (22) and dragged over the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture, forming a floating hydrocarbon accumulation region along its body in the dragging direction;

at least one hydrocarbon drainage means (10) floating over the surface of the water and hydrocarbon mixture in the floating hydrocarbon accumulation region, the hydrocarbon drainage means (10) being able to collect the accumulated hydrocarbon over the surface of the mixture of water and hydrocarbon; and

at least one hydrocarbon conductor (23) disposed in communication between an outlet of the hydrocarbon drainage means (10) and the suction pump inlet (3) of the vehicle (1) conducting the hydrocarbon collected by the drainage means hydrocarbon (10) to the vehicle (1).