A method for removing aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon fluid comprises contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with a solid-phase polymeric material. The solid-phase polymeric material comprises a cross-linked polymer which contains aromatic groups. The method may be used to prevent the build-up of sludge and soot in a lubricant system in an internal combustion engine. A polymer bead comprising a solid-phase polymeric material is also provided.

A process for the enhancement of the byproducts of a process for the regeneration of exhaust oils is described, wherein said process for the regeneration of exhaust oils which includes at least one of the following steps: a) passing of the oil to be regenerated into one or more centrifuges, b) storage of the oil, before treatment, in suitable containers, c) desiloxanation and d) filtering. The byproducts of one or more of steps a) to d) are treated, gathered and mixed with one another and added to the bitumen coming out as tail of a fractioned distillation step of the above-said regeneration process of exhaust oils.

A plant for the carrying out of a process according to any one of the preceding claims is also described, comprising a processing unit for each of the byproducts coming from steps a) to d) and a mixer (6) with stirring (7).

A solvent extraction system includes an elongated solvent extraction chamber having first and second ends, at least one first port for providing a continuous phase into the solvent extraction chamber and at least one second port for removing content from the solvent extraction chamber, a dispersed phase inlet in fluid communication with the first end of the solvent extraction chamber and a membrane having pores. Diameters of the pores are from 1 to 100 μm and do not differ by more than 20%, and center-to-center distances between the pores are from 10 to 1000 μm and do not differ more than 20%. The membrane is positioned at the first end of the solvent extraction chamber relative to the dispersed phase inlet such that a liquid provided into the solvent extraction chamber through the dispersed phase inlet must pass through the membrane.

The disclosure includes embodiments of systems and methods for removing moisture from an electric power transformer. According to an embodiment, a moisture removal system includes a pump to move oil from the transformer into the system; one or more incoming oil moisture and temperature sensors to detect a first moisture level and temperature of oil; a processor to receive the moisture and temperature and determine an estimated paper moisture value of the insulation of the transformer, and compare the estimate to a target paper moisture value; and an overdry prevention bypass valve positioned in a first position to divert oil without drying when the estimated paper moisture value is equal to or less than the target value, and in a second position to channel oil through one or more drying cylinders when the estimated paper moisture value exceeds the target value.

The engine lubricating system can become contaminated with carbon deposits and sludge. Sludge is where the combustion by-products that have entered the oil base saturate this oil base, thus forming a thick carbon rich substance. Sludge is not wanted within the engine. Sludge and or carbon deposits in the motor oil cause problems. Such carbon deposits form in the motor oil from heat, pressure, and namely combustion gases that have leaked pasted the piston rings. Turpentine and terpenes, hereafter referred to as “terpenes”, have shown that these chemicals can breakdown carbon which has been deposited within the engine's oil base.

The present invention is a solid lubricant treatment medium, usually but not always in bead form, suitable to be brought into contact with lubricants to remediate and to condition them. A key feature of the medium, typically a polymeric resin, is the presence of relatively very large pores, which are able to capture and remove fine lubricant contaminants and breakdown products (such as small phosphate ester varnish, soot, coke, dissolved metal or other small semi-soluble or insoluble particles), Resins and adsorbents of the prior art have proven unable to remove fine contaminants like phosphate ester varnish that have a deleterious impact on industrial equipment performance and reliability. The mean pore size diameter of the medium is between about 8,000 Å and 100,000 Å and, more preferably, in the range of about 20,000 Å to about

The disclosure includes embodiments of systems and methods for removing moisture from an electric power transformer. According to an embodiment, a moisture removal system includes a pump to move oil from the transformer into the system; one or more incoming oil moisture and temperature sensors to detect a first moisture level and temperature of oil; a processor to receive the moisture and temperature and determine an estimated paper moisture value of the insulation of the transformer, and compare the estimate to a target paper moisture value; and an overdry prevention bypass valve positioned in a first position to divert oil without drying when the estimated paper moisture value is equal to or less than the target value, and in a second position to channel oil through one or more drying cylinders when the estimated paper moisture value exceeds the target value.

The present invention provides method for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture comprising the steps of a) providing a feed of said liquid mixture to be purified, b) adding a separation aid to the liquid mixture to be purified, wherein said separation aid is capable of binding said contaminants and c) supplying a flow of compressed air into said feed after step b) has been performed to provide a feed comprising air. The method further comprises steps d) removing air from said feed comprising air to provide a deaerated feed; and e) supplying said deaerated feed to a separator, and f) separating a phase comprising contaminants and said separation aid from said liquid mixture in said separator, wherein the separation aid added in step b) is insoluble in said liquid mixture at the separation conditions in step f). The present invention further provides a system for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture.

The invention relates to a method for lowering the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a used lubricant composition, in which said used lubricant composition passes over activated carbon, said method not comprising a solvent extraction step.

A method for the regeneration of used lubricating oils to produce lubricant base oils includes the steps of (a) removing resin and impurities by distillation, (b) catalytic oxidation treatment and (c) adsorption process. The method can efficiently reduce the color, metal ions, and sulfur content under mild reaction conditions at low cost and obtain high yield of regenerated oil above 85 wt. %.