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US4213866A
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Composition and process for removing sulfur scale from interstices in petroleum bearing formations and the like to improve the flow of petroleum
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-11-03
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-11-03
Abstract
Abstract Petroleum values bound in formations by sulfur scale blocked passages are freed by effectively dissolving the scale and formation rock with a solution containing a primary acid, a catalyst, and, preferably, a chelating or sequestering agent and a wetting agent. The primary acid is preferably hydrochloric. The catalyst is tetravalent or pentavalent vanadium. The chelating agent is at least one member selected from the class consisting of dicarboxylic acid, or tricarboxylic acid, or both acids, and glycerine, wherein the above acid group is always present. The primary acid attacks the sulfur scale and formation rock, and its action is substantially completed because of the catalyst. The chelating or sequestering agent maintains the dissolved minerals in solution. The wetting agent enables mineral penetration.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Ashby
- 👤 Frederick S. Kaveggia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:37
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/52; C09K8/528; C09K8/532; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/72; C09K8/74; C09K8/78; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/927; Y10S507/933; Y10S507/934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A composition suitable for the essentially complete dissolution of sulfur scale from petroleum passages comprising: (a) an aqueous acidic solution of a primary acid selected from the class consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, and any of said acids intensified with hydrofluoric acid; (b) minor amounts of a vanadium compound selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide, vanadyl sulfate, vanadyl chloride and vanadyl phosphate, the vanadium compound being present in the amount of at least about 0.01 weight percent; (c) minor amounts of a second acid selected from at least one member of the class consisting of acetic acid, hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, malonic acid, and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid; and (d) the second acid being present in the composition in the amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A composition suitable for the essentially complete dissolution of sulfur scale from petroleum passages comprising: (a) an aqueous acidic solution of a primary acid selected from the class consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, and any of said acids intensified with hydrofluoric acid; (b) minor amounts of a vanadium compound selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide, vanadyl sulfate, vanadyl chloride and vanadyl phosphate, the vanadium compound being present in the amount of at least about 0.01 weight percent; (c) minor amounts of a second acid selected from at least one member of the class consisting of acetic acid, hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, malonic acid, and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid; and (d) the second acid being present in the composition in the amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition claimed in claim 1 wherein the vanadium compound is selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide and vanadyl sulfate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition claimed in claim 2 wherein: the solution has a maximum pH of about 3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition claimed in claim 3 including a minor amount of glycerine, the glycerine being present in the composition in the amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition claimed in claim 3 wherein the second acid is selected from at least one member of the class consisting of hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, and malonic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition claimed in claim 5 including a minor amount of glycerine, the glycerine being present in the composition in the amount of at least about 0.5 weight percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 5 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 6 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 4 including effective amounts of a wetting agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 7 wherein the primary acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 1 including effective amounts of a corrosion inhibitor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
A composition suitable for the essentially complete dissolution of sulfur scale on petroleum bearing formations, such as dolomite, and petroleum handling equipment, comprising: (a) an aqueous solution of a primary acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid intensified with hydrofluoric acid; (b) minor amounts of a second acid, the second acid being selected from the group consisting of hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid; (c) minor amounts of a vanadium compound selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide, vanadyl sulfate, vanadyl chloride and vanadyl phosphate; (d) the second acid being present in the amount of at least about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent; (e) the vanadium compound being present in the amount of at least about 0.01 weight percent; and (f) the solution having a maximum pH of about 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
A composition suitable for the essentially complete dissolution of sulfur scale on petroleum bearing formations, such as dolomite, and petroleum handling equipment, comprising: (a) an aqueous solution of a primary acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid intensified with hydrofluoric acid; (b) minor amounts of a second acid, the second acid being selected from the group consisting of hydroxymalonic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid; (c) minor amounts of a vanadium compound selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide, vanadyl sulfate, vanadyl chloride and vanadyl phosphate; (d) the second acid being present in the amount of at least about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent; (e) the vanadium compound being present in the amount of at least about 0.01 weight percent; and (f) the solution having a maximum pH of about 3.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition claimed in claim 12 wherein the vanadium compound is selected from at least one member of the class consisting of vanadium pentoxide and vanadyl sulfate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition claimed in claim 13 including at least from about 0.125 to about 0.5 weight percent glycerine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 12 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 13 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 14 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 14 wherein the primary acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 14 wherein the vanadium compound is vanadium pentoxide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition claimed in claim 14 wherein the primary acid is hydrochloric acid and the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 20 wherein the vanadium compound is vanadium pentoxide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 21 including effective amounts of a wetting agent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process of removing sulfur scale from petroleum passages with the composition of claim 1 comprising treating the petroleum passages with the composition for a time and with sufficient amounts of the composition to remove the scale.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of removing sulfur scale from petroleum passages claimed in claim 23 wherein the petroleum passages are in petroleum bearing formations.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process of removing sulfur scale from petroleum passages in petroleum bearing formations with the composition of claim 12 comprising treating the petroleum passages with the composition for a time and with sufficient amounts of the composition to remove the scale.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process claimed in claim 25 wherein the vanadium compound is vanadium pentoxide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process claimed in claim 26 wherein the second acid is hydroxymalonic acid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process claimed in claim 27 wherein the petroleum bearing formation is dolomite.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process claimed in claim 28 including in the composition at least from about 0.125 to about 0.5 weight percent glycerine.
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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) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |