Patent GB-1353945-A (GB)
Title: Method and composition for the emulsification and the degradation of petroleum products and fertilizers thus obtained
IPC: C12N1/26
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1353945 Fertilizers from biodegradation of petroleum products; degrading petroleum products G H SALOMONE 19 April 1971 [3 Feb 1970] 20991/71 Headings C1B and C1C [Also in Divisions B1 and C6] A petroleum product is converted into a biodegradable emulsion by mixing the petroleum product with an emulsifying composition comprising (a) 15-80 parts by weight of molasses, cellulose, sugar beet waste, casein, malt extract, protease (including peptone), an ammonium salt, amine, amide and/or vinasse, (b) 10-50 parts of sodium, potassium or calcium, carbonate or silicate, ammonium carbonate, dibasic sodium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate and/or a mono- or dibasic ammonium phosphate, and (c) a diluent which may be water, or calcium carbonate or talcum powder, and emulsifying the mixture with water. Example 1 : a composition comprising molasses, sodium silicate, phosphoric acid and water was used to emulsify heavy fuel oil. After storage for 5 weeks the hydrocarbons present in the emulsion had been completely degraded by natural micro-organisms. The resultant aqueous suspension, after addition of nitrate and potash, was used for spraying sown cereals. Example 2 a composition comprising molasses, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate and water was used to emulsify petroleum residues. After storing for 4 weeks the emulsion was used to spray river sand in which cereals had been sown. Example 3: a composition comprising molasses, calcium carbonate, dibasic sodium phosphate and water was used to emulsify crude oil. The emulsion after dilution with brackish water, was applied immediately to river sand as a fertilizer. Example 4: a pasty composition comprising molasses, sodium silicate and water was used to emulsify crude oil recovered from beaches and the emulsion was stored in sea water containing some 0À5% of nitric acid. After one year the hydrocarbons in the emulsion had been completely biodegraded and the product could be used as a fertilizer. Example 5: a pasty composition comprising casein, sodium silicate and water was used to emulsify the bottom residue of a fuel oil tank. The emulsion, diluted with water, was stored in the open air for 6 weeks after which it was acidified with phosphoric and nitric acids to halt the biodegradation. After evaporation of a part of the water, the liquid remaining was applied as a fertilizer. Example 6: a pasty composition comprising malt extract, calcium carbonate, sodium silicate and water was used to emulsify petroleum residues. The emulsion, diluted with brackish water, could be discharged into a lagoon without harming the flora and fauna. Example 7: a composition comprising molasses, sodium silicate (35 BaumÚ) and water was used to emulsify heavy petroleum residues. The hydrocarbons were then completely degraded by growing a yeast of the species Torulopsis utilis on the emulsion greatly diluted with cheese factory serum. Example 8: a composition comprising molasses, natural potassium silicate (sanidine) and water was used to emulsify heavy hydrocarbons. The silicate and hydrocarbons in the emulsion were then bacterially degraded. The resulting liquid rich in potassium was applied as a fertilizer. Example 9: a composition comprising molasses, distillers' washers (vinasse), sodium silicate and water was used to emulsify hydrocarbons, which were then allowed to biologically degrade. Example 10: a powdery composition comprising molasses, distillers' washes (vinasse), sodium silicate (35 BaumÚ) and talcum powder was sprinkled on petroleum floating at the surface of an aquarium. Petroleum was absorbed and carried along by the powder. The emulsified mixture which deposited on the bottom of the aquarium, was gradually consumed by the flora. Example 11: a composition comprising molasses, distillers' washes (vinasse), calcium carbonate, calcium silicate and stearic acid was applied in the same manner as in Example 10. Example 12: a composition comprising molasses, distillers' washers (vinasse) sodium silicate (35 BaumÚ), talcum powder and oleic acid was applied in the same manner as in Examples 10 and 11.