METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR THE EMULSIFICATION AND THE DEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND FERTILIZERS THUS OBTAINED

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 e