초록 ▼

The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for collecting and recycling a petroleum by-product such as hydrocarbon residue from crude oil. The apparatus comprises a container having a top, bottom, and sides, an internal heating element, an inlet element, an outlet element, a pump con

The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for collecting and recycling a petroleum by-product such as hydrocarbon residue from crude oil. The apparatus comprises a container having a top, bottom, and sides, an internal heating element, an inlet element, an outlet element, a pump connector, and optionally a plug element for an auxiliary connector. The present invention further provides a method for recycling waxy hydrocarbon residue from crude oil. The method comprises providing the container of the present invention; filling the container with a sufficient amount of the waxy hydrocarbon residue; heating the waxy hydrocarbon residue in the container in order to produce a liquefied hydrocarbon residue; pumping the liquefied hydrocarbon residue out of the container through the pump connector and into a separate storage vessel; and, recycling the liquefied hydrocarbon residue into a usable oil refinery product.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A container for collecting and processing a petroleum by-product, the container comprising:a removable top portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, having a vent opening coupled to and extending upwardly from the exterior surface, and having a plurali

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A container for collecting and processing a petroleum by-product, the container comprising:a removable top portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, having a vent opening coupled to and extending upwardly from the exterior surface, and having a plurality of latches attached to the exterior surface;a bottom portion opposite the top portion, the bottom portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and having a plurality of legs coupled to and extending downwardly from the exterior surface;four sides coupled to and disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the four sides form a substantially rectangular configuration, and wherein the four sides each have an interior side surface and an exterior side surface;a single heating element coupled to and spaced above the interior surface of the bottom portion of the container, the heating element comprising a first end and a second end and a body having a substantially curved configuration, wherein the body is sealed and has no openings and wherein the heating element body substantially covers the bottom portion of the container;an inlet element and an outlet element, both coupled to a lower portion of one of the exterior side surfaces of the container, the inlet element connected to the first end of the heating element via an inlet opening and the outlet element connected to the second end of the heating element via an outlet opening, wherein the inlet element and the outlet element are both adapted for connection to a separate steam source; and,a pump connector positioned between the inlet element and the outlet element and coupled to the lower portion of the exterior side surface via a pump connector opening, the pump connector adapted for connection to a pump system for pumping the processed petroleum by-product out of the container to a separate storage vessel,and further wherein the container has a volume capacity up to 330 gallons.