Systems and methods for removing sulfer and halogens

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and methods for removing halogens and sulfur from used oil. The used oil is heated and aerated, followed by rapid vaporization and cooling. The cooled oil is then subjected to an electrical field before being filtered.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating oil comprising:
 (a) heating oil;   (b) aerating the heated oil to create an oil foam;   (c) subjecting the oil foam to a vacuum to condense the oil;   (d) contacting the condensed oil with a sintered metal;   (e) cooling the condensed oil;   (f) subjecting the cooled oil to an electrical field; and   (g) filtering the electrified oil.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is used oil. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is heated to about 82° F.-100° F. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the oil is heated to about 88° F. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of aerating includes contacting the oil with a plurality of nitrogen diffusers while pumping air through the diffusers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sintered metal is sintered stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is cooled to about 72° F.-80° F. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the oil is cooled to about 73° F. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical field is a 0-90 volt electrical field is produced through sintered copper. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical field is a 0-250 volt electrical field is produced through sintered titanium. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrified oil is filtered using a 1-20 micron filter bank. 
     
     
         12 . A system for treating oil comprising:
 (a) a line for inputting oil;   (b) a heating coil having an input and an output, wherein the input is in fluid communication with the line, and the heating coil is configured for heating the inputted oil;   (c) an air injection passage in fluid communication with the output of the heating coil, the air injection passage comprising a plurality of sintered metal injectors configured to aerate the heated oil;   (d) a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with an output of the air injection passage, and configured to condense the aerated oil;   (e) a cooling chamber in fluid communication with an output of the vacuum chamber, and configured to cool the condensed oil;   (f) a chamber containing sintered metal in fluid communication with an output of the cooling chamber;   (g) an electrifier in fluid communication with an output of the chamber containing sintered metal, and configured to subject the cooled oil to an electrical field; and   (h) a filter bank in fluid communication with an output of the electrifier, and configured to filter the electrified oil.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the oil is used oil. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the heating coil is configured to heat the inputted oil to about 82° F.-100° F. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the heating coil is configured to heat the inputted oil to about 88° F. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the air injection passage further comprises a plurality of nitrogen diffusers in contact with the heated oil. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cooling chamber is configured to cool the oil to about 72° F.-80° F. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the cooling chamber is configured to cool the oil to about 73° F. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the sintered metal is sintered stainless steel. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrifier comprises sintered copper in contact with the condensed oil, and is configured to generate a 0-90 volt electrical field through the sintered copper. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrifier comprises sintered titanium in contact with the condensed oil, and is configured to generate a 0-250 volt electrical field through the sintered titanium. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the filter bank comprises a 1-20 micron filter.