US4451377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for cleaning an oil-contaminated brine containing particulate drill cutting solids
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-02-05
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2002-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A process for cleaning oil-contaminated well bore fluids, and particulate solids. An oil-contaminated well bore fluid, or particulate solids, or both, is admixed with an aqueous polymeric solution and diatomaceous earth, and the admixture filtered to free the oil-contaminated well bore fluid, or solids, of oil which is separated therefrom. The oil-decontaminated well bore fluid is thereby rendered suitable for reuse, and residual solids useful for reblending with the original well bore fluid, or rendered environmentally acceptable for discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 S. Roy Luxemburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/005; B; B01; B01D; B01D37/00; B01D37/02; B01D37/03; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/52; C02F1/54; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A process for cleaning an oil-contaminated brine containing particulate drill cutting solids, said brine being selected from the group consisting of completion fluids and packer fluids which comprises admixing together said oil-contaminated brine, and an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamides, poly (acrylic acid), poly (ethylene oxide) resins, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan gums, and guar gums, and a filter aid capable of forming an oil-free filtercake containing said particulate drill cutting solids, to demulsify the oil of said brine, and filtering said particulate drill cutting solids from the admixture and forming said oil-free filtercake while passing the oil through the filter with the brine, separating the oil and brine into a floating oil layer and a lower clear oil-free brine, and then removing said oil layer from said brine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process for cleaning an oil-contaminated brine containing particulate drill cutting solids, said brine being selected from the group consisting of completion fluids and packer fluids which comprises admixing together said oil-contaminated brine, and an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamides, poly (acrylic acid), poly (ethylene oxide) resins, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan gums, and guar gums, and a filter aid capable of forming an oil-free filtercake containing said particulate drill cutting solids, to demulsify the oil of said brine, and filtering said particulate drill cutting solids from the admixture and forming said oil-free filtercake while passing the oil through the filter with the brine, separating the oil and brine into a floating oil layer and a lower clear oil-free brine, and then removing said oil layer from said brine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the water soluble polymer is contained in the aqueous solution in concentration ranging from about 500 ppm to about 3 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the concentration of the polymer ranges from about 0.05 percent to about 1 percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a polyacrylamide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, bone char, charcoal, Fuller's earth, acid-treated clays, Vermiculite, bauxite, activated alumina, silica gel, asbestos, and sawdust.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a pressure or vacuum driven screen is used in the filtering step.
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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) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |