US4055986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Basic sediment and water measurement
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1976-12-20
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Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1996-12-20
Abstract
Abstract Basic sediment and water content of crude oil flowing through a pipeline is measured by removing a representative sample of the crude oil, heating the sample, and centrifuging the sample to separate the water from the oil. The vapor pressure in the centrifuge is controlled to prevent the escape of any water which has been vaporized by the heating step. The water fraction is passed to a condenser to condense whatever water was vaporized during the heating. Following the condensing step, the water flows into a measuring vessel and is measured.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L. Stewart
- 👤 Edward R. Cadena
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A process for measuring the water and sediment content of crude oil flowing through a pipeline comprising removing a representative sample of the crude oil from the pipeline, heating the sample, centrifuging the sample to separate the water and sediment from the oil, controlling the vapor pressure in the centrifuge to prevent the escape of any water which has been vaporized by the heating step, passing the water fraction to a condenser to condense whatever water was vaporized during the heating, measuring the water, passing the oil to a tank and measuring the oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for measuring the water and sediment content of crude oil flowing through a pipeline comprising removing a representative sample of the crude oil from the pipeline, heating the sample, centrifuging the sample to separate the water and sediment from the oil, controlling the vapor pressure in the centrifuge to prevent the escape of any water which has been vaporized by the heating step, passing the water fraction to a condenser to condense whatever water was vaporized during the heating, measuring the water, passing the oil to a tank and measuring the oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process of claim 1 wherein a small back pressure is maintained on the dry oil stream exiting from the centrifuge in order to contain oil vapor within the centrifuge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the oil is heated above its cloud point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the centrifuge has a rotating element which is maintained at a temperature above the oil's cloud point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the oil is passed to a holding tank after heating and before being centrifuged and the tank is float-controlled to maintain a liquid level therein which assures that only liquid and not foam resulting from the heating step goes to be centrifuged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the tank for measuring oil contains from about 50 to about 200 gallons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the water is measurable to ± 10 ml, which is about one part in 18,900 to 75,700 of the total oil and basic sediment and water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3192764A
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Cited
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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) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |