US4248599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for determining the API gravity of oil by FID
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1979-09-19
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-09-19
Abstract
Abstract The API gravity of an oil is determined by vaporizing its volatile and pyrolyzable components, measuring the ratio of the amount vaporized within a range of relatively high temperatures to the total amount vaporized and determining that the gravity of the oil being tested equals that of an oil which has a similar composition and which, when a substantially equal amount is tested under substantially the same conditions, yields a similar ratio of amounts vaporized at the same temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre R. Mommessin
- 👤 John R. Castano
- 👤 John G. Rankin
- 👤 Mary L. Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N9/00; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2823; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A process for determining the API gravity of an oil sample, comprising: vaporizing volatile and pyrolyzable components of the oil sample; measuring the ratio of the amount of the hydrocarbons vaporized at temperatures within a relatively high range of temperatures to the total amount vaporized; noting the API gravity of an oil standard which has a similar chemical composition and which, when a similar amount is tested under substantially the same conditions, yields a substantially equal ratio of amounts of hydrocarbons vaporized; and, said step of noting being accomplished by reference to predetermined data relating said ratio to API gravity for a plurality of said oil standards, thereby determining the gravity of the oil being tested which approximately equals that which was so-noted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A process for determining the API gravity of an oil sample, comprising: vaporizing volatile and pyrolyzable components of the oil sample; measuring the ratio of the amount of the hydrocarbons vaporized at temperatures within a relatively high range of temperatures to the total amount vaporized; noting the API gravity of an oil standard which has a similar chemical composition and which, when a similar amount is tested under substantially the same conditions, yields a substantially equal ratio of amounts of hydrocarbons vaporized; and, said step of noting being accomplished by reference to predetermined data relating said ratio to API gravity for a plurality of said oil standards, thereby determining the gravity of the oil being tested which approximately equals that which was so-noted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 in which the amounts of hydrocarbons vaporized are determined by means of a flame ionization detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 or 2 in which the range of relatively high temperatures used in the measuring of said ratio is from about 350° C. to 750° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claims 1 or 2 in which the oil sample being tested is contained within the pores or on the surfaces of finely divided rock materials weighing from about 20 to 200 milligrams and containing from about 2 to 5 milligrams of oil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |