US3727412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the in situ sealing of soil surrounding underground conduit breaks
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1971-08-16
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A process for sealing soil adjacent to underground conduit breaks through the use of surfactant-stabilized latex emulsion wherein the sealing phenomena can be made to occur at varying penetration depths therein forming a seal against fluid flow.
Inventors
- 👤 J Marx
- 👤 J Bowman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/16; F16L55/162; F16L55/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the latex particles are selected from the group consisting of styrene/butadiene-rubber and butadiene/rubber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emulsion contains brine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the sodium chloride concentration is less than 20,000 ppm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the soil surrounding the underground conduit opening has a grain size of from about 1 to about 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the emulsion has a solid concentration of from about 20,000 to about 50,000 ppm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A process for the in situ sealing of soil surrounding an opening in an underground conduit, comprising: injecting into the conduit a surfactant-stabilized emulsion, said emulsion having brine, latex particles, and surfactant therein, said latex particles being in a size range of about 0.1 to about 10 microns and said surfactant being a non-ionic surfactant of a volume sufficient for providing the emulsion with a preselected stability; and passing a volume of the emulsion through the opening in the conduit and through the surrounding soil in contact therewith for coagulating the emulsion in the soil in response to contact of the emulsion with the soil and adsorbtion of the surfactant by the soil for sealing said soil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the emulsion is a non-ionic surfactant-Stabilized, brine-containing latex particles emulsion having a solid concentration from about 20, 000 to about 50,000 ppm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the surfactant is nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the latex particles are selected from the group consisting of styrene/butadiene-rubber and butadiene/rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sodium chloride concentration is less than 20,000 ppm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the soil surrounding the underground conduit opening has a grain size in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns.
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) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |