US4027688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transportation of fossil fuel materials
Assignee: Vodafone GmbH
•
Filing: 1975-01-22
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1995-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Fossil fuel such as crude oil or coal is transported through a pipe by converting some of the constituents of the fossil fuel, such as natural gas, into methanol. The methanol is then used to form an emulsion with the fossil fuel. The emulsion is transported by pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Gruber
- 👤 Willi Keim
- 👤 Klaus Hentschel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:51
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/02; F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/005; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A process for the long-distance transport of fossil fuel material, in which a part of the fossil fuel material to be transported is converted into methanol before being transported, and is utilised as a transport medium in the fluid transport of the remainder of the material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for the long-distance transport of fossil fuel material, in which a part of the fossil fuel material to be transported is converted into methanol before being transported, and is utilised as a transport medium in the fluid transport of the remainder of the material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the material is coal, and the part of the coal not converted into methanol is converted into liquid hydrocarbons which are mixed with the methanol prior to transport.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the fossil fuel material is fossil oil and natural gas and in which at least the natural gas is converted into methanol, which is mixed with the oil, and the oil-methanol mixture is separated into its components after being transported.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process for the long-distance transport of crude fossil oil and natural gas comprising the steps of a. converting at least some constituents of said natural gas into methanol; b. forming an emulsion of said crude oil with said methanol; and c. transporting said emulsion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process for the long-distance transport of crude fossil oil and natural gas comprising the steps of a. converting at least some constituents of said natural gas into methanol; b. forming an emulsion of said crude oil with said methanol; and c. transporting said emulsion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 4, in which only the lower hydrocarbon constituents of said natural gas are converted into methanol, and the higher hyrocarbon constituents of said natural gas are liquified and mixed with said emulsion prior to transportation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 4, in which some crude oil is also converted to methanol, the methanol converted from both said natural gas and said crude oil being mixed with crude oil to form said emulsion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 4, in which after transportation said emulsion is separated into crude oil and methanol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 4, in which an emulsion stabiliser is added during the forming of the emulsion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 4, in which said emulsion is transported by pumping through a pipe line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for the long-distance transport of crude oil comprising the steps of a. converting a part of said crude oil into methanol; b. forming an emulsion of uncovered crude oil with said methanol; and c. transporting said emulsion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for the long-distance transport of crude oil comprising the steps of a. converting a part of said crude oil into methanol; b. forming an emulsion of uncovered crude oil with said methanol; and c. transporting said emulsion.
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) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |