초록 ▼

Polymeric flow improvers, whether alone or partially dissolved in a solvent, are encapsulated to provide a free flowing particulate powder which can be easily transported and subsequently placed into hydrocarbons wherein the outer shelf of the encapsules are subjected to melting, shear, dissolution,

Polymeric flow improvers, whether alone or partially dissolved in a solvent, are encapsulated to provide a free flowing particulate powder which can be easily transported and subsequently placed into hydrocarbons wherein the outer shelf of the encapsules are subjected to melting, shear, dissolution, or the contents may be leached out to place the flow improver into intimate contact with the flowing hydrocarbons in a dispersed form such that drag reduction is immediate and effective. Optionally, the size of the particulate matter and the thickness of the encapsulating material are varied such that constant or delayed release of flow improver occurs as the hydrocarbon fluid is transported through conduits.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for using non-crystalline hydrocarbon soluble polymeric flow improvers capable of reducing turbulence in hydrocarbons flowing through conduits, comprising (a) encapsulating said flow improver to form free-flowing particles, consisting essentially of normally noncrystalline, hydrocarbon solu

A method for using non-crystalline hydrocarbon soluble polymeric flow improvers capable of reducing turbulence in hydrocarbons flowing through conduits, comprising (a) encapsulating said flow improver to form free-flowing particles, consisting essentially of normally noncrystalline, hydrocarbon soluble polymers having a molecular weight above 1×106 (b) placing said encapsulated flow improver in contact with the hydrocarbon, then (c) placing the flow improver into intimate contact with said hydrocarbon by mechanical fracturing, melting, leaching or dissolution of the encapsulating material.