US3878090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dense solvent demulsification method for bituminous petroleum-water emulsions
Assignee: Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1973-09-27
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Resolving or breaking oil field emulsions involving bituminous petroleum is more difficult than emulsions involving conventional petroleum because the specific gravity of bituminous petroleum is approximately equal to the specific gravity of water. Demulsification of bituminous petroleum emulsions is aided by adding a solvent for the bitumen whose specific gravity is substantially greater than the specific gravity of water to the emulsion. Examples of suitable solvents include carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, and certain halogenated hydrocarbons which are essentially insoluble in and unreactive with water.
Inventors
- 👤 David Arthur Redford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:00
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A PROCESS FOR RESOLVING AN EMULSION OF WATER AND BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM, THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF THE BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM BEING ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WATER, COMPRISING, CONTACTING SAID EMULSION WITH A TREATING MATERIAL WHICH IS SOLUBLE IN THE BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM AND ESSENTIALLY INSOLUBLE IN WATER, THE TREATING MATERIAL BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CARBON DISULFIDE, CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, CHLORINATED METHANE, CHLORINATED ETHANE AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WHEREIN THE VOLUME RATIO OF TREATING MATERIAL TO EMULSION IS FROM ABOUT .01 TO ABOUT 10.0.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A PROCESS FOR RESOLVING AN EMULSION OF WATER AND BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM, THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF THE BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM BEING ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WATER, COMPRISING, CONTACTING SAID EMULSION WITH A TREATING MATERIAL WHICH IS SOLUBLE IN THE BITUMINOUS PETROLEUM AND ESSENTIALLY INSOLUBLE IN WATER, THE TREATING MATERIAL BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CARBON DISULFIDE, CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, CHLORINATED METHANE, CHLORINATED ETHANE AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WHEREIN THE VOLUME RATIO OF TREATING MATERIAL TO EMULSION IS FROM ABOUT .01 TO ABOUT 10.0.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the treating material is carbon disulfide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the treating material is carbon tetrachloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the chlorinated methane treating material which is essentially insoluble in water is trichloromethane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the chlorinated ethane treating material which is essentially insoluble in water is trichloroethane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the emulsion is also heated to facilitate separation of the phases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the additional step of contrifuging the emulsion to resolve it into its components.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |