Patent ID: 6340373
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
A method for the treatment and processing of solutions of an organic fluid, water, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, metal ions, and mixtures thereof, which comprises the following steps:(a) conducting a stream (5) consisting of organic fluid, water, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, metal ions, and mixtures thereof, to a salt reduction and crystallization unit (6); (b) flash evaporating and optionally partially condensing the stream (5) and providing thereby a stream (9, 10) of evaporated water and organic solvent and a stream (8) of organic fluid and at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, metal ions, and mixtures thereof; (c) conducting the stream (8) to a salt reduction unit; (d) nucleating crystals via at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, metal ions, and mixtures thereof, by means of depressurization and temperature increase; and (e) removing the portion of the precipitated crystals and/or particles from the organic fluid.