US3682187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of reducing friction loss in flowing hydrocarbon liquids
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A method of reducing friction during flow of hydrocarbon liquids through conduits by addition to the liquids of a small amount of certain hydrocarbon block copolymers. This invention relates to a method of substantially decreasing friction in flowing hydrocarbon liquids through conduits, generally over great distances. More particularly, the invention is directed to the addition of a novel class of hydrocarbon copolymers to hydrocarbon liquids such as crude oil and fractions thereof so as to reduce substantially their friction due to flow through pipelines over great and short distances.
Inventors
- 👤 Errol V Seymour
- 👤 Sol Davison
- 👤 Walter R Haefele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:51
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
9 words
copolymers wherein A is styrene and B is butadiene;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is a crude oil or fraction thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the block copolymer has an average molecular weight between about 500,000 and 5,000,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
9 words
hydrogenated derivatives of said copolymers (1) and (2); and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
copolymers wherein A is ethylene, propylene, or vinyl cyclohexane and B is a copolymeric block of ethylene and propylene; wherein the A block of each copolymer has an average molecular weight between about 8,000 and 70,000 and the B block of each copolymer has an average molecular weight between about 35,000 and about 500,000, and the A blocks comprise between about 10 percent and 50 percent of the block copolymer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of reducing friction in a pipeline transporting a liquid hydrocarbon comprising injecting into or adding to a liquid hydrocarbon from about 10 to about 200 ppm of a block copolymer having the general configuration: A-B-A and selected from the group consisting of:
Claim 7
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of reducing friction in a pipeline transporting a liquid hydrocarbon comprising injecting into or adding to a liquid hydrocarbon from about 1 to 2,000 ppm of polybutadiene-polyisoprene-polybutadiene block copolymer wherein each block polybutadiene has an average molecular weight between about 4, 000 and 500,000, the block polybutadiene content comprising 10-70 percent of the copolymer, and each block polyisoprene has an average molecular weight between 35,000 and 5,000,000.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of reducing friction in a pipeline transporting a liquid hydrocarbon comprising injecting into or adding to a liquid hydrocarbon from about 1 to 2,000 ppm of hydrogenated derivative of polybutadiene-polyisoprene-polybutadiene block copolymer wherein each block polybutadiene has an average molecular weight between about 4,000 and 500,000, the block polybutadiene content comprising 10-70 percent of the copolymer, and each block polyisoprene has an average molecular weight between 35,000 and 5,000,000.
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) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |