Radiofrequency pump inlet electric heater
US11643605B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
12References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2214/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention reduces viscosity of highly viscous materials before entering a pump inlet by applying radio-frequency heating to the volume of material in a cage of rods that serve as electrodes surrounding a perforated inlet conduit. Applications include heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials such as tar and pitch in reservoirs, and sludge accumulating within oil storage tanks, ships, and barges. A mixer can be added to aid the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.