Method for characterizing the stability of foulants and/or efficacy of foulant inhibitors within petroleum-based fluids
US9360425B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/59
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A petroleum-based fluid sample may be centrifuged in a centrifuge vial where a light may be passed through the petroleum-based fluid sample to identify an amount of transmitted light at two or more time intervals. The stability of the foulant(s) and/or efficacy of the foulant inhibitors to prevent the destabilization of the foulants may be determined by comparing a change in the amounts of transmitted light through the petroleum-based fluid sample. The petroleum-based fluid sample may include a petroleum-based fluid, at least one foulant, and an optional additive for destabilizing the foulant(s). The additive may be or include a first component, such as but not limited to n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cyclo-alkanes, natural gas, natural gas condensate, alcohols, ethers, ketones, organic acids, acetates, carbon dioxide, and combinations thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.