US4003393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gel-like composition for use as a pig in a pipeline
Assignee: Hydrochem LLC
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Filing: 1973-02-14
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1993-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A gel-like mass is prepared comprising a highly gelled organic liquid which can be fluidized after its intended use. A hydrocarbon liquid is gelled with a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester to form a substantially self-sustaining gel-like mass (slug or pig) when flowing under pressure through a pipeline. The pig may be employed as an interfacial control for different fluids flowing in the same pipeline, and also to remove residual fluids and/or solids from a pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 William Jaggard
- 👤 Allen A. Scales
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:01
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/053; B08B9/055; B08B9/0555; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/0435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of removing residual fluids and solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. as an initial step treating the inner surface of the pipeline to remove solid and semi-solid deposits therefrom; b. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester, and c. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of removing residual fluids and solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. as an initial step treating the inner surface of the pipeline to remove solid and semi-solid deposits therefrom; b. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester, and c. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of removing residual fluids and/or solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester and which includes, in addition, a substance which functions to break said gel after a period of time to form a readily flowable mass, and b. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of removing residual fluids and/or solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester and which includes, in addition, a substance which functions to break said gel after a period of time to form a readily flowable mass, and b. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of removing residual fluids and hydrocarbon solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. introducing into said pipeline a solvent for solid hydrocarbon residuals and shutting in the pipeline for a period of time sufficient on the inner surface of said pipeline; b. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester, and c. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of removing residual fluids and hydrocarbon solids from a pipeline which comprises: a. introducing into said pipeline a solvent for solid hydrocarbon residuals and shutting in the pipeline for a period of time sufficient on the inner surface of said pipeline; b. introducing into said pipeline a gel-like mass composed of an organic liquid which is gelled with a gelling quantity of a metal salt of an aliphatic substituted orthophosphate ester, and c. moving said gel-like mass through said pipeline under pumping pressure which forms said gel-like mass into a self-sustaining body having its peripheral surfaces contiguous with the inner surfaces of the pipeline to remove residual liquids and solids therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the solvent is xylene, benzene or toluene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said solvent is injected into a gas stream flowing in the pipeline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |