US4481130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for demulsifying water-in-oil emulsions
Assignee: BP PLC
•
Filing: 1982-06-07
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Granted: 1984-11-06
•
Expires: 2002-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for continuously demulsifying a viscous, stable water-in-oil emulsion, which emulsion comprises from 50 to 80% water as the dispersed phase, comprises passing the emulsion and a chemical demulsifier through a mixing device having at least one flow restriction and recycling part of the mixture leaving the mixing device back to the device at or upstream of the restriction.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:36
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/047; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/30; B01F23/00; B01F23/40; B01F23/49; B01F25/50; C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion, which emulsion comprises 50 to 80% by volume of water as the dispersed phase, comprising passing the water-in-oil emulsion and a chemical demulsifier through a mixing device having at least one flow restriction and recycling part of the mixture leaving the mixing device back to the device at, or upstream of the restriction, the ratio of the recycle flowrate to the flowrate of the emulsion and demulsifier being from 1:1 to 10:1.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion, which emulsion comprises 50 to 80% by volume of water as the dispersed phase, comprising passing the water-in-oil emulsion and a chemical demulsifier through a mixing device having at least one flow restriction and recycling part of the mixture leaving the mixing device back to the device at, or upstream of the restriction, the ratio of the recycle flowrate to the flowrate of the emulsion and demulsifier being from 1:1 to 10:1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure drop over the mixing device is 2 bar or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method is claimed in claim 1 wherein the mixing device comprises a single restriction which is a nozzle or a venturi tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mixing device comprises two restrictions which are a nozzle through which the emulsion and demulsifier passes and a venturi through which the emulsion, demulsifier and recycled material passes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the amount of demulsifier is at least 250 ppm by volume of the emulsion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the amount of demulsifier is from 500-1000 ppm by volume of the emulsion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1802090A
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US2507910A
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US3301328A
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US3512570A
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US4057223A
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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) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |