US4249554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
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Filing: 1979-01-26
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1999-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in the method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons through pipes is disclosed. Briefly, the improvement comprises adding water containing an effective amount of a combination of an ethoxylated alkyl phenol and a sodium or ammonium salt of an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate. The resulting emulsion has a lower viscosity and is more easily transported.
Inventors
- 👤 Gifford G. McClaflin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:46
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: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In the method of pumping a viscous hydrocarbon through a pipe the improvement which comprises forming an oil-in-water emulsion by adding to said hydrocarbon from about 20 to about 80 volume percent of an aqueous solution containing an effective amount, based on said hydrocarbon, of a combination of about 50 to about 10,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alkyl phenol and about 50 to about 10,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, said ethoxylated alkyl phenol being a monoalkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, and which contains from about 40 to about 70 ethoxy groups, and said ethoxylated alcohol sulfate is represented by the formula [CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.x CH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OSO.sub.3 ]M wherein x is an integer in the range of about 10 to about 16, n is a number in the range of about 1 to about 50, and M is ammonium or sodium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In the method of pumping a viscous hydrocarbon through a pipe the improvement which comprises forming an oil-in-water emulsion by adding to said hydrocarbon from about 20 to about 80 volume percent of an aqueous solution containing an effective amount, based on said hydrocarbon, of a combination of about 50 to about 10,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alkyl phenol and about 50 to about 10,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, said ethoxylated alkyl phenol being a monoalkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, and which contains from about 40 to about 70 ethoxy groups, and said ethoxylated alcohol sulfate is represented by the formula [CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.x CH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OSO.sub.3 ]M wherein x is an integer in the range of about 10 to about 16, n is a number in the range of about 1 to about 50, and M is ammonium or sodium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ethoxylated monoalkyl phenol is ethoxylated octyl phenol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
9 words
The method of claim 1 wherein M is sodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon is a crude oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the ethoxylated alkyl phenol is ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of aqueous solution added to said hydrocarbon is in the range of about 30 to about 60 volume percent, based on said hydrocarbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the aqueous solution contains, based on said hydrocarbon, a combination of about 100 to about 1,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alkyl phenol and about 100 to about 1,000 parts per million of an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
The method of claim 7 wherein M is sodium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said hydrocarbon is a crude oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the ethoxylated monoalkyl phenol is ethoxylated octyl phenol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the ethoxylated alkyl phenol is ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the ethoxylated octyl phenol contains about 70 ethoxy groups.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: (a) the hydrocarbon is a crude oil; (b) the amount of aqueous solution is about 50 volume percent; and (c) the aqueous solution contains about 250 parts per million of an ethoxylated octyl phenol containing 70 moles of ethylene oxide and about 250 parts per million of a sodium salt of a sulfated ethoxylate derived from a C 12 -C 14 linear primary alcohol and containing 7 moles of ethylene oxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: (a) the hydrocarbon is a crude oil; (b) the amount of aqueous solution is about 50 volume percent; and (c) the aqueous solution contains about 125 parts per million of an ethoxylated octyl phenol containing 40 moles of ethylene oxide and about 125 parts per million of a sodium salt of a sulfated ethoxylate derived from a C 12 -C 14 linear primary alcohol and containing 7 moles of ethylene oxide.
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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) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |