Polymeric nanoemulsion as drag reducer for multiphase flow
US7468402B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10N2050/01
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Polymeric nanoemulsions facilitate flow and reduce drag and friction in multiphase pipelines containing both oil and water (e.g., oil/water, oil/water/gas, oil/water/solids, and oil/water/gas/solids) such as are used for oil or gas production, gathering, and transmission; hydrotransport of oilsand or heavy oil slurries and the like. Specific examples of suitable drag reducing polymers include polyacrylamide. The emulsions have a hydrocarbon external phase, droplets of an aqueous internal phase having water-soluble polymer dissolved therein, where the droplets have an average particle size below about 200 nm, and at least one surfactant to form a stable nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsions advantageously have a low viscosity of about 200 cP or less.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.