Hydrocarbon processing method and hydrocarbon processing system

Abstract

A hydrocarbon treatment process of the present invention comprises the steps of: adding Rhodococcus erythropolis PR-4 to an aqueous medium containing culture medium ingredients; adding an organic solvent containing a hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms; and enabling the Rhodococcus erythropolis PR-4 to migrate into the organic solvent and metabolize the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms.

1 . A hydrocarbon treatment process comprising the steps of: 
 adding  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to an aqueous medium containing culture medium ingredients,    adding an organic solvent containing a hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms; and    enabling the  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to migrate into the organic solvent and metabolize the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms.    
   
   
       2 . The hydrocarbon treatment process according to  claim 1  wherein the aqueous medium comprises a common bacteria culture medium.  
   
   
       3 . The hydrocarbon treatment process according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms is at least one or more hydrocarbons selected from a group consisting of tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, pristane and squalane.  
   
   
       4 . The hydrocarbon treatment process according to any of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon treatment process is performed with stirring.  
   
   
       5 . A hydrocarbon treatment process comprising the steps of: 
 adding  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to a first aqueous medium containing culture medium ingredients;    adding a first organic solvent containing a hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms;    enabling the  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to migrate into the first organic solvent and metabolize the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms;    adding the  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 that have metabolized the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms to a second aqueous medium containing culture medium ingredients;    adding a second organic solvent containing a hydrocarbon with 13 or fewer carbon atoms; and    enabling the  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to migrate into the second organic solvent and metabolize the hydrocarbon with 13 or fewer carbon atoms.    
   
   
       6 . A hydrocarbon treatment system comprising: 
 means for supplying an organic solvent containing a hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms;    means for supplying an aqueous medium containing culture medium ingredients;    means for adding  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4;    means for enabling the  Rhodococcus erythropolis  PR-4 to migrate into the organic solvent and treat the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms; and    means for separating the product produced in the aqueous medium.