| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090111714 | DISPERSE NON-POLYALPHAOLEFIN DRAG REDUCING POLYMERS - 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. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090209679 | CORE-SHELL FLOW IMPROVER - A flow improver comprising a plurality of core-shell particles that can be formed by emulsion polymerization. The core of the core-shell particles can include a drag reducing polymer, while the shell of the particles can include repeat units of a hydrophobic compound and an amphiphilic compound. The flow improver can demonstrate increased pumping stability over conventionally prepared latex flow improvers. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20100130681 | HYDRATE INHIBITED LATEX FLOW IMPROVER - A process in which a mixture is agitated in a substantially oxygen-free environment to produce an agitated emulsion. The mixture comprises water, one or more surfactants, a hydrate inhibitor, and a monomer. The monomer is then polymerized in the emulsion using an initiator and a catalyst to form a hydrate inhibited latex drag reducer. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100154893 | DRAG REDUCING POLYMERS FOR LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT LIQUIDS APPLICATIONS - A method for drag reducing low molecular weight liquids is provided. More specifically, a method to separate drag reducers from low molecular weight liquids, such as hydrocarbons and anhydrous ammonia, is provided. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100294490 | WELLHEAD HYDROCARBON UPGRADING USING MICROWAVES - Methods and apparatus relate to processes and systems that introduce microwaves into mixtures containing hydrocarbons. The microwaves cause heating of the hydrocarbons in order to upgrade the hydrocarbons. Such upgrading occurs after recovering the hydrocarbons from within a formation and results in lowering viscosity of the hydrocarbons to enable transportation of the hydrocarbons to offsite locations, such as a refinery. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110023972 | DISPERSE NON-POLYALPHAOLEFIN DRAG REDUCING POLYMERS - 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. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110184121 | MINIEMULSION POLYMERIZATION TO PREPARE DRAG REDUCERS - A method of producing a polymer latex drag reducer. The method begins by forming an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, a buffer and water. The method then forms an organic solution comprising a monomer and a co-stabilizer. The aqueous solution and the organic solution are mixed to form an emulsion. The emulsion is then subjecting to a high shear device to produce a miniemulsion, wherein the monomers are broken into small droplets followed by polymerizing the miniemulsion with the addition of an initiator, wherein a nucleation occurs in the small monomer droplets. | 07-28-2011 |