Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A composition characterised in that it comprises an intimate mixture of a polar base fluid and a heteropolysaccharide, which is principally carbohydrate, comprising 2.8-7.5% (calculated as 0-acetyl) 0-acyl groups, 11.6-14.9% glucuronic acid, and the neutral sugars mannose, glucose and rhamnose in the approximate molar ratio 1:2:2 wherein the ratio of terminally linked rhamnose to 1,3 linked rhamnose is 1:2 and the glucose is primarily 1,3 linked.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the polar base fluid is a polar organic base fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the polar base fluid is monoethyleneglycol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the heteropolysaccharide is a Welan gum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the Welan gum is BIOZAN (Biozan is a registered Trademark of Merk & Co. Inc.)
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which further comprises a chelating agent and/or a biocidal agent or a bistatic agent and/or a buffer to control pH.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein the chelating agent is EDTA, the biocidal or biostatic agent is glutaraldehyde and the buffer to control pH is TRIS.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of increasing the thermal insulating effect of a polar base fluid, the method comprising adding a heteropolysaccharide, which is principally carbohydrate, comprising 2.8-7.5% (calculated as 0-acetyl) 0-acyl groups, 11.6-14.9% glucuronic acid, and the neutral sugars mannose, glucose and rhamnose in the approximate molar ratio 1:2:2, wherein the ratio of terminally linked rhamnose to 1,4 linked rhamnose is 1:2 and the glucose is primarily 1,3 linked, to the polar base fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which from 1 to 10 killograms of the heteropolysaccharide are added per metre cube of base fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein from 4 to 7 killograms of heteropolychloride are added per metre cube of base fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10 in which the base fluid is monoethylene glycol or the heteropolysaccharide is BIOZAN (Biozan is a Registered Trademark of Merk & Co. Inc.).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11 in which a chelating agent is also added in an amount in excess of 100mg per litre of base fluid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of insulating a fluid which is transported along a fluid conducting line housed within a carrier pipe, the method comprising pumping into a space formed between the outer surface of the conducting line and the inner surface of the carrier pipe, a mixture of a heteropolysaccharide, which is principally carbohydrate, comprising 2.8-7.5% (calculated an 0-acetyl) 0-acyl groups, 11.6-14.9% glucuronic acid, and the neutral sugars mannose, glucose and rhamnose in the approximate molar ratio 1:2:2, wherein the ratio of terminally linked rhamnose to 1,4 linked rhamnose is 1:2 and the glucose is primarily 1,3 linked, and a base polar liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 in which the heteropolysaccharide and base polar liquid are mixed, and subjected to a shearing force sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the mixture by a degree sufficient to allow the mixture to be pumped into the space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
A pipeline bundle comprising a first pipe located within a second pipe and defining a space therebetween said space being filled with a composition comprising a heteropolysacchardide, which is principally carbohydrate, comprising 2.8-7.5% (calculated as 0-acetyl) 0-acyl groups, 11.6-14.9% glucuronic acid, and the neutral sugars mannose, glucose and rhamnose in the approximate molar ratio 1:2:2, wherein the ratio of terminally linked rhamnose to 1,4 linked rhamnose a 1:2 and the glucose is primarily 1,3 linked and a polar base fluid.