US4176544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for determining fouling
Assignee: BP PLC
•
Filing: 1978-05-04
•
Granted: 1979-12-04
•
Expires: 1998-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the increase in pressure drop and/or the decrease in temperature across the test section over a period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin K. Eyles
- 👤 Graham L. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2805; G01N17/00; G01N17/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a heated hydrocarbonaceous liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the increase in pressure drop across the test section over a period of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a heated hydrocarbonaceous liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the increase in pressure drop across the test section over a period of time.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a heated hydrocarbonaceous liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the decrease in temperature across the test section over a period of time.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a heated hydrocarbonaceous liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the decrease in temperature across the test section over a period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a heated hydrocarbonaceous liquid according to claim 2 which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section, and measuring the increase in pressure drop as well as the decrease in temperature across the test section over a period of time.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to any of the above claims 1-3 wherein the heated liquid is crude oil and the foulants added are salts of iron, sodium calcium or magnesium or any combination thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
35 words
A method according to any of the above claims 1-3 wherein foulant salts are added in the form of an aqueous solution with a weight ratio approximating to the weight ratio of actual fouling deposits.
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) | 1982-12-03 | 1983-06-04 | 1983-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-03 | 1987-06-04 | 1987-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-03 | 1991-06-04 | 1991-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |