US4420400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrocarbon products damage control systems
Assignee: General Technology Applications Inc
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Filing: 1982-01-22
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Granted: 1983-12-13
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Expires: 2002-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Spilled liquid hydrocarbon products ranging from crude oil to refined fractions and discrete compounds are converted from a liquid to a gel or to a semi-solid or solid state by contacting a liquid petroleum product with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquified refrigerant gas. The technique is particularly appropriate for control of oil spills in a water environment wherein the oil is either floating on or dispersed in water. Contact of the polymer particles with liquid hydrocarbons results in virtually instantaneous solvation of the polymer in the hydrocarbon to produce a cohesive gel or a semi-solid to solid material at a polymer concentration ranging generally from about 0.2% to 1% for gel formation and from about 1% to 30% for formation of a semi-solid to solid material based on hydrocarbon weight.
Inventors
- 👤 William Weitzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0122; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/043; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/925; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for bodying spilled liquid hydrocarbons which comprises dissolving sufficient polymer therein to form a non-flowing material of semi-solid to solid consistency by contacting said spilled hydrocarbons with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquid cryogenic refrigerant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for bodying spilled liquid hydrocarbons which comprises dissolving sufficient polymer therein to form a non-flowing material of semi-solid to solid consistency by contacting said spilled hydrocarbons with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquid cryogenic refrigerant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cryogenic refrigerant is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said polymer is a linear, hydrocarbon polymer of relatively high molecular weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon polymer is a rubbery polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said polymer is polysiobutylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said liquid hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of crude oil and refined petroleum fractions and wherein the extent of said bodying ranges from a gel to an elastomeric solid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the weight ratio of polymer particles to liquid nitrogen is in the range of about 1:1 to 1:4.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein at least about 2% by weight of polymer is dissolved in said liquid hydrocarbon as a result of said contacting.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for containing a liquid hydrocarbon spill on water which comprises dissolving a polymer in said hydrocarbon by applying a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquid cryogenic refrigerant to the surface of said hydrocarbon in sufficient amount to convert said hydrocarbon from a liquid to a semi-solid or solid state.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for containing a liquid hydrocarbon spill on water which comprises dissolving a polymer in said hydrocarbon by applying a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquid cryogenic refrigerant to the surface of said hydrocarbon in sufficient amount to convert said hydrocarbon from a liquid to a semi-solid or solid state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said slurry is applied at an edge of said spill and around the periphery thereof to generate a border of solidified hydrocarbon thereby tending to prevent the further spread of liquid hydrocarbon over the water surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said cryogenic refrigerant is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said polymer is a linear hydrocarbon polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said polymer is polyisobutylene and said liquid hydrocarbon is crude oil, and wherein greater than 2% by weight of polyisobutylene, based on crude oil weight, is applied to the surface of said oil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the weight ratio of polyisobutylene particles to liquid nitrogen in said slurry is in the range of about 1:1 to 1:4.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for recovering spilled crude oil which comprises dissolving a polymer in said spilled oil by contacting said spilled oil with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in liquid nitrogen, said polymer displaying solubility in said crude oil and being heat decomposable, in an amount sufficient to convert said crude oil to a thickened, semi-solid to solid state, collecting said solidified oil and thereafter heating said solidified oil to a temperature whereat said polymer decomposes and said oil reverts to liquid form.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for recovering spilled crude oil which comprises dissolving a polymer in said spilled oil by contacting said spilled oil with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in liquid nitrogen, said polymer displaying solubility in said crude oil and being heat decomposable, in an amount sufficient to convert said crude oil to a thickened, semi-solid to solid state, collecting said solidified oil and thereafter heating said solidified oil to a temperature whereat said polymer decomposes and said oil reverts to liquid form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said polymer is polyisobutylene and wherein said solidified oil is heated to a temperature above about 400° F.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for controlling spills of a liquid hydrocarbon at an underwater leakage point which comprises dissolving sufficient polymer in said hydrocarbon to cause agglomeration and thickening of the hydrocarbon by injecting a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a cryogenic refrigerant at or in close proximity to said leakage point.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for controlling spills of a liquid hydrocarbon at an underwater leakage point which comprises dissolving sufficient polymer in said hydrocarbon to cause agglomeration and thickening of the hydrocarbon by injecting a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a cryogenic refrigerant at or in close proximity to said leakage point.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said cryogenic refrigerant is liquid nitrogen and wherein said liquid hydrocarbon is crude oil.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said leakage source is a tanker and wherein said slurry is injected directly into the leaking cargo compartment of said tanker.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said leakage source is an off shore exploratory or producing oil well.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said polymer is a linear hydrocarbon polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said polymer is polyisobutylene and wherein the weight ratio of polyisobutylene particles to liquid nitrogen in said slurry is in the range of about 1:1 to 1:4.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 wherein sufficient slurry is injected to provide a polymer concentration in the liquid hydrocarbon of at least 0.2%.
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) | 1986-12-12 | 1987-06-13 | 1987-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-12 | 1991-06-13 | 1991-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-12 | 1995-06-13 | 1995-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |