Patent US3608975A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3608975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid injection arrangement for preventing pipeline slumping
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-23
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-09-23
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for preventing downhill slumping in a shutdown slurry pipeline wherein a liquid is injected into the pipeline at those locations where slumping and plug formation by the slurry solid phase is likely to occur. Slurry material is removed from upper elevations of the line substantially simultaneously with the injection of the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Webster Morrill Sawyer
- 👤 Erroll Vernon Seymour
- 👤 Moye Wicks
- 👤 Lewis Philip Reiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:29
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/088; B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Apparatus in combination with a pipeline used to transport slurry material including a solid phase and a liquid phase, said pipeline including a first portion and a second portion elevated with respect to said first portion, said apparatus comprising: means for introducing a liquid into the interior of said first pipeline portion upon shutdown of said pipeline; means for withdrawing slurry from said second pipeline portion substantially simultaneously with the introduction of said liquid into said first pipeline portion whereby insufficient slurry material will remain in said pipeline to slump and form a plug under the influence of gravity; and means for isolating the interiors defined by said first and second pipeline portions from the remainder of said pipeline during the introduction of said liquid into said first pipeline portion and the withdrawal of said slurry from said second pipeline portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus in combination with a pipeline used to transport slurry material including a solid phase and a liquid phase, said pipeline including a first portion and a second portion elevated with respect to said first portion, said apparatus comprising: means for introducing a liquid into the interior of said first pipeline portion upon shutdown of said pipeline; means for withdrawing slurry from said second pipeline portion substantially simultaneously with the introduction of said liquid into said first pipeline portion whereby insufficient slurry material will remain in said pipeline to slump and form a plug under the influence of gravity; and means for isolating the interiors defined by said first and second pipeline portions from the remainder of said pipeline during the introduction of said liquid into said first pipeline portion and the withdrawal of said slurry from said second pipeline portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherEin said means for introducing a liquid comprises: liquid storage means; means defining a flow path between said storage means and the interior of said first pipeline portion; and means for selectively establishing communication between said liquid-storage means and the interior of said first pipeline portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for withdrawing slurry from said second pipeline portion includes conduit means leading from the interior of said second pipeline portion and slurry-storage means operatively connected to the other end of said conduit means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing downhill slumping and plug formation by slurry solid-phase material under the influence of gravity in a shutdown slurry pipeline, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a liquid into a low point in said pipeline upon termination of slurry flow; and substantially simultaneously removing slurry from an adjacent high point in said pipeline whereby said liquid flows into an inclined section of pipeline between said high point and said low point.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing downhill slumping and plug formation by slurry solid-phase material under the influence of gravity in a shutdown slurry pipeline, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a liquid into a low point in said pipeline upon termination of slurry flow; and substantially simultaneously removing slurry from an adjacent high point in said pipeline whereby said liquid flows into an inclined section of pipeline between said high point and said low point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said slurry is a mixture of oil and sulfur and said fluid is at least partially comprised of water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein soluble inorganic salts are added to the water prior to introduction of the water into the pipeline to increase the density of the fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein surface-active agents are added to the water prior to introduction into said pipeline to prevent coalescence of any discontinuous slurry globules mixed with said fluid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of preventing downhill slumping and plug formation by slurry solid-phase material under the influence of gravity in a shutdown slurry pipeline, said method comprising steps of: isolating the interior of the pipeline between a high point and a low point from the remainder of the pipeline interior as slurry flow is terminated; introducing a liquid into said low point in said pipeline upon termination of said slurry flow; and substantially simultaneously removing slurry from the adjacent high point in said pipeline whereby said liquid flows into an inclined section of pipeline between said high point and said low point.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of preventing downhill slumping and plug formation by slurry solid-phase material under the influence of gravity in a shutdown slurry pipeline, said method comprising steps of: isolating the interior of the pipeline between a high point and a low point from the remainder of the pipeline interior as slurry flow is terminated; introducing a liquid into said low point in said pipeline upon termination of said slurry flow; and substantially simultaneously removing slurry from the adjacent high point in said pipeline whereby said liquid flows into an inclined section of pipeline between said high point and said low point.
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) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |