Patent · US Expired

Method for removing alkaline sulfate scale

US5458860A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 9, 1994
Grant dateOct 17, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF28G9/00
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of low frequency sonic energy within the range of 1.25 to 6.5 KHz, preferably less than 2.0 KHz and most preferably 1.25 KHz, for enhancing the dissolution of alkaline earth metal scales from well bores using a scale-removing solvent comprising an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH of about 8 to about 14 and containing EDTA or DTPA and a catalyst or synergist, preferably an oxalate anion. When the scale deposit is contacted with the scale removing solvent while simultaneously transmitting low frequency sonic energy through the solvent, substantially more scale is dissolved at a faster rate than previously possible.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.