US3735770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for increasing the mobility of waxy crude oils
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract The mobility of waxy crude oils is increased by cooling a mixture of the crude oil and an amphipathic additive from a temperature higher than the nucleation temperature of the crude oil at a rate less than 10* F. per hour to a temperature at which nucleation of wax particles causing high pour point is virtually complete. Preferred amphipathic additives are alkylated phenols and copolymers of ethylene with polar organic compounds such as acetate or acrylate esters. The increased mobility is characterized by reduced pressures required to start flow through a pipeline and reduced pressure drop in a pipeline after flow has commenced.
Inventors
- 👤 J Day
- 👤 J Zajac
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:35
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the waxy crude oil is treated with 50-600 parts of the amphipathic additive per million parts of waxy crude oil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of improving the mobility of the waxy crude oil having an API gravity in the range of about 30*-40* to increase its mobility comprising mixing an amphipathic additive with the oil in a ratio of 50-600 parts of amphipathic additive per million parts of waxy crude oil at a temperature above the nucleation temperature, and thereafter cooling the mixture at a rate less than 10* F. per hour to approximately the pour point of the untreated crude oil.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of treating a waxy crude oil having an API gravity in the range of about 30*-40* to increase its mobility comprising mixing with the crude oil an amphipathic additive in an amount in the range of 50-600 parts per million of crude oil, heating the mixture above the nucleation temperature of the crude oil and thereafter cooling the mixture at a rate of less than 10* F. per hour to approximately the pour point of the untreated crude oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the treating of the waxy crude oil with an amphipathic additive is at a temperature above 150* F., the waxy crude oil is treated with 50-600 parts of amphipathic additive per million parts of crude oil, and the treated crude oil is cooled at a rate less than 10* F. per hour to a temperature below 90* F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the amphipathic additive is selected from the group consisting of alkylated phenols having 20-60 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, copolymers having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and acetate esters, and copolymers having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and acrylate esters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the amphipathic additive is a copolymer having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and an organic polar compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 in which the amphipathic additive is a copolymer having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and an organic polar compound selected from the group consisting of acetate esters and acrylic esters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the amphipathic additive is an alkylated phenol having 20-60 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claiM 4 in which the amphipathic additive is a copolymer having a molecular weight of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and vinyl acetate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 in which the amphipathic additive is a copolymer having a molecular weight of 1,000-30,000 of ethylene and methyl acrylate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3669189A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |