Patent US4047539A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4047539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for establishing core-flow in water-in-oil emulsions or dispersions
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-21
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1993-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A viscous liquid core in less viscous liquid annulus pipe flow with less viscous liquid in viscous liquid emulsions is created without the injection of additional less viscous liquid by establishing a sufficiently high shear rate, but not to exceed a certain value, for a sufficiently long time in pipe flow to break the emulsion and create a less viscous liquid rich zone near the pipe wall, thus reducing the flow pressure drop.
Inventors
- 👤 Vitold R. Kruka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:10
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for breaking an emulsion of a viscous liquid and less viscous liquid and establishing core-flow of the viscous liquid inside an annulus of the less viscous liquid comprising subjecting the emulsion to a high shear rate by laminar conduit flow and maintaining the shear rate for a residence time of the emulsion in the conduit sufficient to cause migration of a substantial quantity of the less viscous liquid to the proximity of the conduit wall and there agglomerate to form the less viscous liquid annulus, and continuing flow in a conduit of larger diameter without substantially disrupting core-flow of the viscous liquid inside the less viscous liquid by diffusing and slowing flow from the emulsion-breaking conduit into the larger conduit by means of a diffuser having an angle ranging from about 1° to about 30°.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for breaking an emulsion of a viscous liquid and less viscous liquid and establishing core-flow of the viscous liquid inside an annulus of the less viscous liquid comprising subjecting the emulsion to a high shear rate by laminar conduit flow and maintaining the shear rate for a residence time of the emulsion in the conduit sufficient to cause migration of a substantial quantity of the less viscous liquid to the proximity of the conduit wall and there agglomerate to form the less viscous liquid annulus, and continuing flow in a conduit of larger diameter without substantially disrupting core-flow of the viscous liquid inside the less viscous liquid by diffusing and slowing flow from the emulsion-breaking conduit into the larger conduit by means of a diffuser having an angle ranging from about 1° to about 30°.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for breaking an emulsion of a viscous liquid and less viscous liquid and establishing core-flow of the viscous liquid inside an annulus of the less viscous liquid comprising subjecting the emulsion to a high shear rate by laminar conduit flow and maintaining the shear rate for a residence time of the emulsion in the conduit sufficient to cause migration of a substantial quantity of the less viscous liquid to the proximity of the conduit wall and there agglomerate to form the less viscous liquid annulus, and continuing flow in a conduit of larger diameter without substantially disrupting core-flow of the viscous liquid inside the less viscous liquid by diffusing and slowing flow from the emulsion-breaking conduit into the larger conduit by means of a diffuser having an angle ranging from about 1° to about 9°.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for breaking an emulsion of a viscous liquid and less viscous liquid and establishing core-flow of the viscous liquid inside an annulus of the less viscous liquid comprising subjecting the emulsion to a high shear rate by laminar conduit flow and maintaining the shear rate for a residence time of the emulsion in the conduit sufficient to cause migration of a substantial quantity of the less viscous liquid to the proximity of the conduit wall and there agglomerate to form the less viscous liquid annulus, and continuing flow in a conduit of larger diameter without substantially disrupting core-flow of the viscous liquid inside the less viscous liquid by diffusing and slowing flow from the emulsion-breaking conduit into the larger conduit by means of a diffuser having an angle ranging from about 1° to about 9°.
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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |