Method for killing and removing microorganisms and scale using separation unit equipped with rotating magnets

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9694303-B2
Application number	US-201414262173-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2014
Priority date	Apr 25, 2014
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

Abstract

A method to continuously clean a fouled process stream using a magnetic field comprising feeding the fouled process stream, comprising a fouling constituent, to a magnetic separation unit. The magnetic separation unit comprising a separation vessel configured to receive the fouled process stream, a mounted magnet configured to generate the magnetic field operable to reduce a concentration of the fouling constituent. The mounted magnet comprising a magnet motor configured to rotate a shaft, the shaft configured to rotate a magnet, and the magnet configured to generate the magnetic field. A circulation pump fluidly connected to the separation vessel and a sampling point configured to allow removal of a sample. The method further includes measuring the concentration of the fouling constituent in the sample and supplying an effluent stream from the separation vessel to a clean collection vessel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method to continuously clean a fouled process stream using a magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of:
feeding the fouled process stream to a magnetic separation unit, the fouled process stream comprising a fouling constituent, the magnetic separation unit comprising:
a separation vessel, the separation vessel configured to receive the fouled process stream, the separation vessel having a body with an external surface, the body defining an interior cavity;
a mounted magnet partially adjacent to the separation vessel, the mounted magnet configured to generate the magnetic field, the magnetic field operable to reduce a concentration of the fouling constituent, the mounted magnet comprising:
a magnet motor adjacent to the external surface of the separation vessel, the magnet motor configured to rotate a shaft,
the shaft connected to the magnet motor and extending into the interior cavity of the body of the separation vessel, and
a magnet affixed to the shaft, the shaft configured to rotate the magnet, the magnet having a shape, wherein the shape of the magnet is a cylinder, the magnet configured to generate the magnetic field, wherein the rotation of the magnet generates the magnetic field;

a circulation pump fluidly connected to the separation vessel, the circulation pump configured to receive a circulation feed from the separation vessel to produce a circulation return, wherein the circulation return is recycled to the separation vessel; and
a sampling point fluidly connected to the separation vessel, the sampling point configured to allow removal of a sample;
measuring the concentration of the fouling constituent in the sample; and
supplying an effluent stream from the separation vessel to a clean collection vessel when the concentration of the fouling constituent in the sample is below a target concentration.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising additional magnetic separation units, wherein the additional magnetic separation units are connected in a series, with the effluent stream of a first magnetic separation unit in the series fed to a next magnetic separation unit in the series, with the effluent stream of a last magnetic separation unit in the series fed to the clean collection vessel.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising additional mounted magnets within the separation vessel.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fouled process stream comprises water.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fouling constituent is selected from the group consisting of micro-organisms, paramagnetic scale, ferromagnetic scale, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises neodymium.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising additional magnets, the magnets having an arrangement along the shaft, wherein the arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a continuous line, rows, and patterns.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sampling point is located between the separation vessel and the circulation pump.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fouling constituent is micro-organisms and the target concentration is 100 cells/ml of the sample.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fouled process stream comprises hydrocarbons.

Assignees

• Saudi Arabian Oil Co

Inventors

• Alabbas Faisal M
• Kakpovbia Anthony

Classifications

• C02F2103/10

  from quarries or from mining activities · CPC title

• C02F2101/32

  Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil · CPC title

• B01D17/00 Primary

  Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion (devices for separating or removing fatty or oily substances or similar floating material from water, waste water, or sewage C02F1/40; cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like materials E02B15/04; arrangements for separating lubricants from refrigerants F25B43/02) · CPC title

• C02F2303/20

  Prevention of biofouling · CPC title

• C02F1/488 Primary

  for separation of magnetic materials, e.g. magnetic flocculation · CPC title