Patent FR2012571A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4690689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gas tracer composition and method
Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service Corp
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Filing: 1985-10-24
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Granted: 1987-09-01
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Expires: 2005-10-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method for tagging methane by adding thereto one or more of the tracer compounds sulfur hexafluoride and chloropentafluoroethane. The methane being tagged is normally being stored in underground storage fields to provide identity and proof of ownership of the gas. The two tracer compounds are readily detectable at very low concentrations by electron capture gas chromatography apparatus which can be made portable and thus suitable for use in the field.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman D. Malcosky
- 👤 Gregory Koziar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/22; G01N33/225; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A process for determining whether any of a plurality of porous underground gaseous methane storage sites is in fluid communication with a gas producing well, and if there is fluid communication, determining which site is in said fluid communication comprising injecting a different gaseous tracer mixture into each of a plurality of said sites at some location in each said site in an amount such that the presence of the tracer mixture will be detectable in the gaseous methane stored therein, each said mixture having the properties of (1) not occurring in natural supplies of methane, (2) diffusing through any underground methane storage site in a manner very similar in rate to methane, and (3) being substantially insoluble in petroleum distillates, after a period of time sufficient for each of said tracer mixtures to diffuse through the underground site from its injection location to the well, withdrawing a sample gaseous product from said well, testing said sample gaseous product for the presence of each of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A process for determining whether any of a plurality of porous underground gaseous methane storage sites is in fluid communication with a gas producing well, and if there is fluid communication, determining which site is in said fluid communication comprising injecting a different gaseous tracer mixture into each of a plurality of said sites at some location in each said site in an amount such that the presence of the tracer mixture will be detectable in the gaseous methane stored therein, each said mixture having the properties of (1) not occurring in natural supplies of methane, (2) diffusing through any underground methane storage site in a manner very similar in rate to methane, and (3) being substantially insoluble in petroleum distillates, after a period of time sufficient for each of said tracer mixtures to diffuse through the underground site from its injection location to the well, withdrawing a sample gaseous product from said well, testing said sample gaseous product for the presence of each of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein chloropentafluoroethane is one of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 wherein sulfur hexafluoride is one of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein sulfur hexafluoride is one of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein ethylene is one of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2 wherein ethylene is one of said tracer mixtures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3 wherein ethylene is one of said tracer mixtures.
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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) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |