Liquid-solid Drag Reduction Composition Or Process Of Preparing Patents (Class 523/175)
  • Patent number: 11767487
    Abstract: An oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound produced by oxyalkylating a branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof, may be useful as an inverting aid for increasing the dissolution rate of a latex-based drag reducing agent in a liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Analette Carrasco, Joey Dacula Mangadlao
  • Patent number: 11199296
    Abstract: A drag reducing agent has a core comprising a polyolefin; and a temporary container encapsulating the core. The temporary container contains a container material, which includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, an ethylene vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, a vinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyethylene oxide, a polyethylene glycol, polyvinylidene chloride, a polysaccharide or its derivative, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A largest dimension of the drag reducing agent is greater than about 1,000 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jian Zou, David J. Jurek, Brandon M. Vittur, Anthony D. Bravo
  • Patent number: 10982017
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a polyolefin drag reducing agent comprises: injecting a catalyst and a drag reducing agent forming component comprising (i) at least one olefin monomer, or (ii) at least one olefin oligomer, or a combination of (i) and (ii) into a temporary container comprising a container material, sealing the temporary container; allowing the drag reducing agent forming component to polymerize in the sealed temporary container to form the polyolefin drag reducing agent; and at least partially dissolving the container material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jian Zou, David J. Jurek, Brandon M. Vittur, Anthony D. Bravo
  • Patent number: 10836849
    Abstract: A method includes combining an aqueous fluid and an oleaginous fluid to prepare an invert emulsion comprising a polymerizable composition, degassing the invert emulsion under an extensional flow regime through an elongated passageway of an extender and thereby removing oxygen to produce a degassed invert emulsion. A flow rate of the invert emulsion and a diameter of the elongated passageway are sufficient to achieve a Reynolds number of 20,000 or greater. The method also includes transferring at least a portion of the degassed invert emulsion to the second extender at one or more time intervals and returning the portion of the degassed invert emulsion to the reactor, and isolating a polymer product from the degassed invert emulsion. A flow rate of the invert emulsion and a diameter of the elongated passageway are sufficient to achieve a Reynolds number of 20,000 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: PfP Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Asoke Kumar Deysarkar, Michael Joseph Callanan, IV, Robert Ray McDaniel, Brian James Keola DeCaires
  • Patent number: 10829685
    Abstract: Compositions include a hydratable additive concentrate comprising a hydratable additive that is at least substantially hydrated and a hydrating liquid, wherein the hydratable additive concentrate is a mixture produced according to a method that includes flowing a hydrating liquid in a extensional flow regime through an elongated passageway of an extender, wherein a flow rate of the hydrating liquid and a diameter of the elongated passageway are sufficient to achieve a Reynolds number of 20,000 or greater; and adding a hydratable additive to the hydrating liquid in the elongated passageway to produce a mixture comprising the hydratable additive that is at least partially hydrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: PfP Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Asoke Kumar Deysarkar, Michael Joseph Callanan, IV, Robert Ray McDaniel, Brian James Keola DeCaires
  • Patent number: 10683397
    Abstract: The present embodiment can teach a method of feeding to a materials processor a mixture containing an agglomerated drag reducer. The mixture is then homogenized to produce a remediated drag reducer. The maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle diameter of the remediated drag reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: LIQUIDPOWER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: William F. Harris, Jr., Ray L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10578252
    Abstract: A method of forming a drag reducing polymer formulation. The method begins by forming a drag reducing polymer. A hydrocarbon additive is then incorporated with the drag reducing polymer to form a drag reducing polymer formulation. The drag reducing polymer formulation is then used as a drag reducer in hydrocarbon pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LIQUIDPOWER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Michael Olechnowicz, Timothy L. Burden, Tommy C. Ross
  • Patent number: 10501675
    Abstract: A polymer microsphere for use as a fluid loss additive in drilling muds including a hydrophobic core of hydrophobic monomers and a hydrophilic shell of hydrophilic monomers wherein the hydrophilic shell surrounds the hydrophobic core. The polymer microsphere is capable of forming micelles or microgels in water without using surfactants and can be block, graft, and random copolymers. The hydrophilic shell is physically or chemically linked to the hydrophobic core. The polymer microsphere further includes crosslinkers, preferably where the crosslinkers are monomers containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weibin Zha, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10370502
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising at least one non-polyalphaolefin polymer having an average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 800 micrometers. The non-polyalphaolefin polymer can initially be formed via emulsion polymerization. The initial polymer particles can then be at least partially consolidated and then reduced in size and suspended in a carrier fluid. The resulting drag reducing composition can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: LIQUIDPOWER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Burden, Ray L. Johnston, William F. Harris, Kenneth W. Smith, Wayne R. Dreher, Stuart N. Milligan
  • Patent number: 10179872
    Abstract: A polymer microsphere for use as a fluid loss additive in drilling muds including a hydrophobic core of hydrophobic monomers and a hydrophilic shell of hydrophilic monomers wherein the hydrophilic shell surrounds the hydrophobic core. The polymer microsphere is capable of forming micelles or microgels in water without using surfactants and can be block, graft, and random copolymers. The hydrophilic shell is physically or chemically linked to the hydrophobic core. The polymer microsphere further includes crosslinkers, preferably where the crosslinkers are monomers containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weibin Zha, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10144685
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a chemical composition comprising an aromatic compound a in a concentration B by weight, based on the total weight of the chemical composition, including: providing the following reaction components: a chemical composition comprising the following: the aromatic compound a in a concentration A by weight based on the total weight of the chemical composition, and an olefin in an amount of about 50 to about 99.99 wt. %, based on the total weight of the chemical composition, and an acidic solid; reacting the components to obtain the chemical composition comprising the aromatic compound a in a concentration B by weight based on the total weight of the chemical composition; wherein the concentration B is less than the concentration A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Shahid Azam
  • Patent number: 10023790
    Abstract: A long term dust free proppant comprising a mass of free flowing particles, where the particles are coated with a dust suppression solution containing 90 to 99.5 percent by weight water, 0.05 to 3.0 percent by weight a soluble polymer and an added, small amount of a surfactant. The mass has a very low dosage of the solution so the mass has a moisture content of less than 0.30 percent by weight. Preferably the solution is applied to the particles by an air mist jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Covia Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Zielke, Feipeng P. Liu
  • Patent number: 9939113
    Abstract: A method of forming a drag reducing polymer formulation. The method begins by forming a drag reducing polymer. A hydrocarbon additive is then incorporated with the drag reducing polymer to form a drag reducing polymer formulation. The drag reducing polymer formulation is then used as a drag reducer in hydrocarbon pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: LIQUIDPOWER SPECIALITY POWER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Olechnowicz, Timothy L. Burden, Tommy C. Ross
  • Patent number: 9783644
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising at least one non-polyalphaolefin polymer having an average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 800 micrometers. The non-polyalphaolefin polymer can initially be formed via emulsion polymerization. The initial polymer particles can then be at least partially consolidated and then reduced in size and suspended in a carrier fluid. The resulting drag reducing composition can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LIQUIDPOWER SPECIALTY POWER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Burden, Ray L. Johnston, William F. Harris, Kenneth W. Smith, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Stuart N. Milligan
  • Patent number: 9416331
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition and method of use wherein the drag reducing composition comprises a polyolefin, drag reducing polymer, a carrier or suspending medium, and a polycarboxylate dispersion agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Flowchem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad A. Bucher, Tom M. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9267094
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition for use in hydrocarbon streams which contains a finely divided, solid polyolefin friction reducing agent, a suspending medium comprised of water and a liquid organic carrier containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms and having at least one hydroxyl group and a partitioning agent comprising a compound having a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group and exhibiting at least some surface activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Flowchem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad Bucher, Tom Weatherford, Alan Ebert
  • Patent number: 9139744
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions comprising an acrylic polymer binder and nano-particles less than about 100 nm that provide a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating that may also display oleophobicity. The coating composition may advantageously be prepared using VOC exempt compounds that are compatible with a variety of surface materials including many electronic components. In addition, the coating composition may also be rapidly dried rendering it useful for the rapid preparation of coated objects and surfaces in manufacturing/assembly line environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ross Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vinod K. Sikka, Michael Hurley, Zenas W. Lim
  • Patent number: 8933149
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising a finely divided, solid polyolefin friction reducing agent formed from olefins containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, the polyolefin drag reducing agent suspended in a suspending medium and comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate containing up to 10% by weight of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Flowchem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad A. Bucher, Tom M. Weatherford
  • Publication number: 20140373965
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coatings having improved resistance to corrosion and/or abrasion. In one embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one resin material in combination with at least one type of boron nitride powder. In another embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one resin in combination with at least one type of boron nitride powder, wherein the amount of boron nitride powder in the coating material is in the range of about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jon Leist
  • Patent number: 8916626
    Abstract: Drag reducing compositions comprising polymer particles, where the polymer particles include copolymers comprising the residues of at least one methacrylate monomer and at least one comonomer having a polymerizable vinyl group, where the comonomer has no more than one pendant substituent per vinyl carbon. The drag reducing compositions can have improved dissolution rates in hydrocarbon-containing fluids. The drag reducing compositions can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lubrizol Specialty Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart N. Milligan
  • Publication number: 20140360588
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition for use in hydrocarbon streams which contains a finely divided, solid polyolefin friction reducing agent, a suspending medium comprised of water and a liquid organic carrier containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms and having at least one hydroxyl group and a partitioning agent comprising a compound having a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group and exhibiting at least some surface activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Brad Bucher, Tom Weatherford, Alan Ebert
  • Publication number: 20140259887
    Abstract: Described herein are associative polymers capable of controlling one or more physical and/or chemical properties of non-polar compositions and related compositions, methods and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Julia A. KORNFIELD, Ming-Hsin WEI, Simon JONES, Virendra SAROHIA
  • Publication number: 20140206794
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising a finely divided, solid polyolefin friction reducing agent formed from olefins containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, the polyolefin drag reducing agent suspended in a suspending medium and comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate containing up to 10% by weight of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Brad A. Bucher, Tom M. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 8772371
    Abstract: The invention relates to pearlescent pigments comprising a platelet-shaped substrate, a metal oxide coating comprising a metal oxide layer having a refractive index of greater than 1.8 and a protective layer, wherein the protective layer comprises a metal oxide/hydroxide layer and optionally boroxide, applied to which is an organic aftercoat of an acrylic copolymer, to a method for producing said pigments and the use thereof. The outer layer provides a very good photo-stabilisation of the TiO2 coated platelet-shaped substrates, such as mica, combined with a good water resistance and an anti-yellowing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Philippe Bugnon, Karin Karrer, Patrice Bujard
  • Patent number: 8669304
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising a primary polyolefin obtained by polymerizing mono-olefins containing from about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms, and a surfactant having an HLB in the range of 6.5 to 8.5 in an aqueous suspending media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Flowchem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad A. Bucher, Michael Cox, Tom M. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 8656950
    Abstract: A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Patent number: 8653213
    Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Compositions that include perfluorohexyl(meth)acrylate and a branched or high Tg monomer are provided as are articles coated with the polymerization product of the composition. Methods are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cytonix, LLC
    Inventor: James F Brown
  • Patent number: 8616236
    Abstract: A method begins by obtaining a slipstream of a liquid. The slipstream of liquid is then mixed upstream of an injection pump with a latex comprising a drag reducing polymer to produce a drag reducing mixture. The drag reducing mixture is then injected into a liquid hydrocarbon to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Patent number: 8512855
    Abstract: A self-cleaning member comprising a member having a porous surface is disclosed. The member has a contact angle hysteresis ?? (=?a??r), which is a difference between an advancing contact angle ?a and a receding contact angle ?r measured by a dynamic contact angle measurement with an extension/contraction method, of 80 degree or more at the surface layer and a receding contact angle ?r of 25 degree or less, is capable of forming a water film on the surface by water provided and of allowing an ionic or reactive contaminant to be washed away without fixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Tokudome, Koji Okubo, Kyoko Kataoka, Saori Sonokawa, Hiroyuki Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130203891
    Abstract: An aqueous drag reducer comprising a poly(alpha olefin), a winterizing agent and water. In this embodiment the winterizing agent comprises at least about 30 wt % of the aqueous drag reducer. Additionally, water comprises less than about 2.0 times the amount of winterizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8450249
    Abstract: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8450250
    Abstract: A method of preparing a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is able to be injected into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is injected into a pipeline of liquid hydrocarbon hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8450251
    Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8426498
    Abstract: A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Patent number: 8394872
    Abstract: A method for reducing the viscosity of a hydrocarbon fluid encountered in petroleum operations is disclosed. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one polymer having at least 25 mole percent cationic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Marcus D. Faust, Jr., Austen K Flatt, Thomas M. Weathers, Jr., Duy T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8263684
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a coating composition which can attain low friction performance without impairing the functions of a conventional coating composition, a coated film formed by using the same and a method of reducing friction in water. A coating composition containing an organic polymer particle, wherein said organic polymer particle has the solubility at 23° C. in the artificial seawater specified in ASTM D1141-98 of 15 g/liter or less, the water-absorbing amount for the artificial seawater specified in ASTM D1141-98 of 0.01% by mass or more and a particle diameter of 0.05 to 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ichinose, Isamu Onishi, Naoki Yamamori, Kazuaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8258206
    Abstract: A hydrophobic coating has been made for use on interior pipe surfaces, exterior boat surfaces, and in many other applications, to reduce drag in fluid flow, thus providing an energy savings. The coating utilizes a blend of organic and/or inorganic polymers with hydrophobic nanoparticles of fumed silica and/or titania in a solvent. The coating solves the problem of poor resistance to UV light and/or abrasion found in previous coatings of similar nature. The coating of the present invention can be made to be translucent and nearly transparent whereas previous coatings of comparable hydrophobicity have all been white or opaque. The coating can be applied in a single application by an easy spraying method and the super hydrophobic property can be achieved by drying the film at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. A preferred coating has good resistance to UV light and some resistance to abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy, Richard J. Baumgart, Wen-Chen Su, Frances E. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20120142814
    Abstract: A hydrophobic coating has been made for use on interior pipe surfaces, exterior boat surfaces, and in many other applications, to reduce drag in fluid flow, thus providing an energy savings. The coating utilizes a blend of organic and/or inorganic polymers with hydrophobic nanoparticles of fumed silica and/or titania in a solvent. The coating solves the problem of poor resistance to UV light and/or abrasion found in previous coatings of similar nature. The coating of the present invention can be made to be translucent and nearly transparent whereas previous coatings of comparable hydrophobicity have all been white or opaque. The coating can be applied in a single application by an easy spraying method and the super hydrophobic property can be achieved by drying the film at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. A preferred coating has good resistance to UV light and some resistance to abrasion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy, Richard J. Baumgart, Wen-Chen Su, Frances E. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20120123019
    Abstract: A composition comprising a drag reducing latex formulation produced by emulsion polymerization to create solid particles dispersed in an aqueous medium and an additive. The use of the composition results in a decrease of film formation while injected through a pump head when compared to the drag reducing latex formulation injected through the pump head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Ray L. Johnston, Zhiyi Bao, Richard D. Thomas, Timothy L. Burden
  • Patent number: 8124673
    Abstract: Low-viscosity drag reducers, systems for delivering low-viscosity drag reducers, and methods of making low-viscosity drag reducers are disclosed. The low-viscosity drag reducers have a viscosity less than 350 cP at a shear rate of 250 sec?1 and a temperature of 60° P. This low-viscosity allows the drag reducers to be delivered through a long and relatively small diameter conduit of a subsea umbilical line without an unacceptable level of pressure drop or plugging of the conduit. The low-viscosity drag reducers can be delivered to a subsea flowline carrying fluids produced from a subterranean formation to 10 thereby provide significant drag reduction in the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Burden, Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris, Allan Browne
  • Publication number: 20120035297
    Abstract: The present embodiment can teach a method of feeding to a materials processor a mixture containing an agglomerated drag reducer. The mixture is then homogenized to produce a remediated drag reducer. The maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle diameter of the remediated drag reducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: William Franklin Harris, JR., Ray Lyle Johnston
  • Patent number: 8106114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drag reducing agent, composition, compound, product, process and method of use for use in petroleum pipelines and the like. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a cryogenically-ground polyalphaolefin polymer at 15-25 wt. % of the commercial product formulation. The bulking agents comprise ethylene bis-stearamide alone or in combination with other polyethylene and/or polypropylene polymers at 2.0-5.0 wt. % of the commercial product formulation. In addition, diisobutyl ketone 20-60 wt. % of the commercial product formulation and propylene carbonate 2.8-8.4 wt. % of the commercial product formulation are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Beta Technologie AG
    Inventors: Gerald Bruce Eaton, Alan Kim Ebert
  • Publication number: 20120004344
    Abstract: A method of producing treated liquid hydrocarbons. The method begins by pressurizing a latex in a pressure vessel. This is followed by flowing the latex from the pressure vessel into a pipeline containing liquid hydrocarbons to produce treated liquid hydrocarbons. In this embodiment the latex comprises a drag reducing polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Publication number: 20120004343
    Abstract: A method begins by obtaining a slipstream of a liquid. The slipstream of liquid is then mixed upstream of an injection pump with a latex comprising a drag reducing polymer to produce a drag reducing mixture. The drag reducing mixture is then injected into a liquid hydrocarbon to produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy L. Burden
  • Publication number: 20110319520
    Abstract: Fine particulate polymer drag reducing agents (DRAs) in bi-modal or multi-modal particle size distributions may be produced simply and efficiently without cryogenic temperatures. The grinding or pulverizing of polymer, e.g. non-porous poly(alpha-olefin) suitable for reducing drag in hydrocarbons may be achieved by the use of at least one liquid grinding aid and at least two grinding processors in series. The blades of the stators of the grinders are of different configuration so that granulated polymer fed to the first processor having relatively larger gaps between blades is ground to an intermediate size which is fed to the second processor having relatively smaller gaps between blades which grinds the polymer to a second, smaller size. A non-limiting example of a suitable liquid grinding aid includes a blend of propylene glycol, water and hexanol. Particulate DRA may be produced at a size of 300 microns or less in only two passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Mathew, Nagesh S. Kommareddi, Jack Bradford Ward
  • Patent number: 8022118
    Abstract: A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Stuart N. Milligan, Ray L. Johnston, Timothy L. Burden, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Kenneth W. Smith, William F. Harris
  • Publication number: 20110132466
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising a primary polyolefin obtained by polymerizing mono-olefins containing from about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms, and a surfactant having an HLB in the range of 6.5 to 8.5 in an aqueous suspending media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Brad A. Bucher
  • Patent number: 7939584
    Abstract: Drag reduction of hydrocarbon fluids flowing through pipelines of various lengths is improved by polyolefin drag reducer dispersions or dispersions using bi- or multi-modal particle size distributions. Drag reducers having larger particle sizes dissolve more slowly than drag reducers having smaller particle sizes. By using at least bi-modal particle size distributions drag reduction can be distributed more uniformly over the length of the pipeline where smaller sized particles dissolve sooner or earlier in the pipeline and larger sized particles dissolve later or further along the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Harris, Lu Chien Chou, George G. Ramsay, John F. Motier, Nagesh S. Kommareddi, Thomas Mathew
  • Publication number: 20110105642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drag reducing agent, composition, compound, product, process and method of use for use in petroleum pipelines and the like. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a cryogenically-ground polyalphaolefin polymer at 15-25 wt. % of the commercial product formulation. The bulking agents comprise ethylene bis-stearamide alone or in combination with other polyethylene and/or polypropylene polymers at 2.0-5.0 wt. % of the commercial product formulation. In addition, diisobutyl ketone 20-60 wt. % of the commercial product formulation and propylene carbonate 2.8-8.4 wt. % of the commercial product formulation are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald Bruce Eaton, Alan Kim Ebert
  • Patent number: 7888407
    Abstract: A drag reducing composition comprising at least one non-polyalphaolefin polymer having an average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 800 micrometers. The non-polyalphaolefin polymer can initially be formed via emulsion polymerization. The initial polymer particles can then be at least partially consolidated and then reduced in size and suspended in a carrier fluid. The resulting drag reducing composition can be added to a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to decrease the pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Burden, Ray L. Johnston, William F. Harris, Kenneth W. Smith, Wayne R. Dreher, Stuart N. Milligan