US4287902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
•
Filing: 1979-11-05
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Granted: 1981-09-08
•
Expires: 1999-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in the method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons through pipes is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises adding water containing an effective amount of a combination of an alkaryl sulfonate having a molecular weight of 415 to 470 and a C 1 -C 4 alcohol.
Inventors
- 👤 Gifford G. McClaflin
- 👤 Charles R. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:07
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; F17D1/17; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In the method of transporting viscous crude oil through a pipe the improvement which comprises forming an oil-in-water emulsion by adding to said crude oil about 20 to about 80 volume percent of an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of a combination of (a) about 500 to about 10,000 parts per million, based on said crude oil, of an alkaryl sulfonate having a molecular weight of about 415 to about 470 and being represented by the formula R--Ar--SO.sub.3 M wherein Ar is an aromatic moiety which is phenyl, tolyl, xylyl or ethylphenyl, R is a linear or branched-chain alkyl group containing 17 to 22 carbon atoms, and M is sodium, potassium or ammonium, and (b) methanol, wherein the amount of methanol is in the range of 0.1:1 to 10:1 parts by weight based on the alkaryl sulfonate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In the method of transporting viscous crude oil through a pipe the improvement which comprises forming an oil-in-water emulsion by adding to said crude oil about 20 to about 80 volume percent of an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of a combination of (a) about 500 to about 10,000 parts per million, based on said crude oil, of an alkaryl sulfonate having a molecular weight of about 415 to about 470 and being represented by the formula R--Ar--SO.sub.3 M wherein Ar is an aromatic moiety which is phenyl, tolyl, xylyl or ethylphenyl, R is a linear or branched-chain alkyl group containing 17 to 22 carbon atoms, and M is sodium, potassium or ammonium, and (b) methanol, wherein the amount of methanol is in the range of 0.1:1 to 10:1 parts by weight based on the alkaryl sulfonate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alkaryl sulfonate is a sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains 17 to 22 carbon atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the amount of alkylbenzene sulfonate is about 1,000 to about 5,000 parts per million.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the amount of methanol is in the range of about 0.5:1 to 5:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of aqueous solution added to said crude oil is about 30 to about 60 volume percent based on said crude oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the alkaryl sulfonate is a sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains 17 to 22 carbon atoms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the amount of alkylbenzene sulfonate is about 1,000 to about 5,000 parts per million.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the amount of methanol is in the range of about 0.5:1 to 5:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is used about 50 percent of an aqueous solution containing about 2500 parts per million of a sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, having a molecular weight in the range of about 415 to about 430, and about 5300 parts per million of methanol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there is used about 50 percent of an aqueous solution containing about 2500 parts per million of a sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, having a molecular weight in the range of about 440 to about 470, and about 5300 parts per million of methanol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |