US3884252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Friction reduction
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-20
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A process for reducing oxidative degradation and cold flow of polymer crumb by immersing the crumb in a non-solvent such as water and/or dusting the crumb with a powder such as calcium carbonate and 2,6 di-t-butylparacresol, 4,4''-methylene-bis-(2,6 di-t-butylphenol) or other antioxidants. A process for reducing fluid flow friction loss in pipeline transmission of a hydrocarbon fluid by providing a continuous source of dissolved polymer therein by injecting polymer crumb or a slurry of polymer crumb and water into the hydrocarbon fluid, whereby the crumb gradually and continuously dissolves during transmission of the crumb through the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Vitold R Kruka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:09
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L10/00; C10L10/08; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/20; C08J3/203; C10L1/00; C10L1/10; C10L1/106; F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; C10L1/12; C10L1/1233; C10L1/14; C10L1/16; C10L1/1625; C10L1/1633; C10L1/1641; C10L1/1658; C10L1/18; C10L1/182; C10L1/183; C10L1/1832; C10L1/1835; C10L1/28; C10L1/285; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDING A SOURCE OF DISSOLVED POLYMER IN A PIPELINE CONTAINING A FLOWING HYDROCARBON COMPRISING PREPARING POLYMER CRUMB BY STRIPPING SOLVENT FROM A POLYMER CEMENT AND INJECTING SAID POLYMER CRUMB INTO THE FLOWING HYDROCARBON.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDING A SOURCE OF DISSOLVED POLYMER IN A PIPELINE CONTAINING A FLOWING HYDROCARBON COMPRISING PREPARING POLYMER CRUMB BY STRIPPING SOLVENT FROM A POLYMER CEMENT AND INJECTING SAID POLYMER CRUMB INTO THE FLOWING HYDROCARBON.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer crumb is slurried with a non-solvent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the non-solvent is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the crumb has been dusted with 2,6 di-t-butylparacresol and 2,2''-methylenebis-(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) powder to reduce oxidative degradation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the polymer is polyisoprene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the crumb is about three-eighths inches diameter and requires from about two to about four days to completely dissolve in a flowing crude oil pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for reducing the fluid flow friction loss of a hydrocarbon in a conduit comprising preparing polymer crumb by steam stripping polymer cement to remove solvent, protecting the crumb from oxidative degradation by immersing the crumb in water to form a slurry, injecting the slurry into the conduit containing the flowing hydrocarbon, allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polymer to the flowing hydrocarbon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for reducing the fluid flow friction loss of a hydrocarbon in a conduit comprising preparing polymer crumb by steam stripping polymer cement to remove solvent, protecting the crumb from oxidative degradation by immersing the crumb in water to form a slurry, injecting the slurry into the conduit containing the flowing hydrocarbon, allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polymer to the flowing hydrocarbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for reducing the fluid flow friction loss of a hydrocarbon in a conduit comprising preparing polymer crumb by stripping polymer cement to remove solvent, protecting the crumb from oxidative degradation by mixing the crumb with antioxidant selected from the group consisting of 2,6 di-t-butylparacresol, 2,2''-methylenebis-(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) and 4,4,''-methylene-bis-(2,6, - di-t-butylphenol), injecting the crumb into the conduit containing the flowing hydrocarbon, allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polyisoprene to the flowing hydrocarbon allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polymer to the flowing hydrocarbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for reducing the fluid flow friction loss of a hydrocarbon in a conduit comprising preparing polymer crumb by stripping polymer cement to remove solvent, protecting the crumb from oxidative degradation by mixing the crumb with antioxidant selected from the group consisting of 2,6 di-t-butylparacresol, 2,2''-methylenebis-(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) and 4,4,''-methylene-bis-(2,6, - di-t-butylphenol), injecting the crumb into the conduit containing the flowing hydrocarbon, allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polyisoprene to the flowing hydrocarbon allowing the crumb to slowly dissolve during passage through the conduit to continuously supply dissolved polymer to the flowing hydrocarbon.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |