US4667026A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Defined heat treatment, under acidic conditions, of solutions of polysaccharide biopolymers
Assignee: Rhone Poulenc Specialites Chimiques
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Filing: 1984-08-30
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2004-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Aqueous solutions of polysaccharide biopolymers, e.g., Xanthomonas/carbohydrate fermentation worts, are heat treated for more than 5, but less than 60 minutes, at a pH ranging from 3.5 to 6.2, to improve the viscosifying, filterability and injectability properties thereof, and are well adapted, e.g., for secondary and tertiary hydrocarbon (petroleum) recovery by waterflooding therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Jarry
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Gozard
- 👤 Yves Kennel
- 👤 Alain Luccioni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:16
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08B; C08B37/00; C08B37/0006; C08B37/0024; C08B37/0033; C08L; C08L5/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A process for improving viscosifying, filterability and injectablility properties of an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide biopolymer, comprising heat treating such solution, having a biopolymer concentration ranging from 0.05 to 20% by weight, at a temperature of from about 60° to 110° C. for a period of time in excess of 5 minutes but less than 60 minutes, at a pH ranging from 3.5 to less than 6.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for improving viscosifying, filterability and injectablility properties of an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide biopolymer, comprising heat treating such solution, having a biopolymer concentration ranging from 0.05 to 20% by weight, at a temperature of from about 60° to 110° C. for a period of time in excess of 5 minutes but less than 60 minutes, at a pH ranging from 3.5 to less than 6.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process as defined by claim 1, said polysaccharide biopolymer comprising xanthan gum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as defined by claim 1, said aqueous solution having been prepared by dissolution in water of a powder of said polysaccharide biopolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process as defined by claim 1, said aqueous solution comprising a fermentation wort.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as defined by claim 4, said aqueous solution comprising a Xanthomonas/carbohydrate fermentation wort.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as defined by claim 4, said fermentation wort having been concentrated by ultrafiltration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process as defined by claim 4, comprising heat treating said wort at a temperature of from 80° to 100° C. for from 15 to 30 minutes, at a pH ranging from 4 to 5.5.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process as defined by claim 1, further comprising concentrating said heat treated aqueous solution by at least one of ultrafiltration and purifying same by diafiltration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as defined by claim 1, said aqueous solution comprising a biocide, enzyme, or combination thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process as defined by claim 1, said heat treatment being for a period of time ranging from 7 to 45 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a hydrocarbon recovery process wherein subterranean petroleum deposits are flooded with an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide biopolymer, the improvement which comprises, utilizing as said aqueous solution therefor, a diluted solution prepared by the process as defined by claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process as defined by claim 1, wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted to 3.5 to less than 6 by addition of an inorganic or organic acid thereto.
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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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |