The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 08, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1997
Heinz Mueller, Monheim, DE;
Claus-Peter Herold, Mettmann, DE;
Thomas Foerster, Erkrath, DE;
Stephan von Tapavicza, Erkrath, DE;
Johann-Friedrich Fues, Grevenbroich, DE;
Marcus Claas, Hilden, DE;
Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Duesseldorf, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to flowable and pumpable multicomponent mixtures based on a multiphase mixture of water and oil containing emulsifiers and, if desired, other soluble, emulsifiable and/or dispersible auxiliaries for their use in exploration by drilling and/or for the further treatment of the wells thus drilled. The invention is characterized by the use of emulsifiers or emulsifier systems which, in the particular multicomponent mixture in question, lead to temperature-controlled phase inversion at a phase inversion temperature (PIT) in a temperature range of which the upper limit is so far below the working temperature of the multicomponent mixture in geological exploration that the water-based part of the multicomponent mixture is present as a disperse (invert) phase in the continuous oil phase (w/o invert emulsion) while the lower limit of this temperature range enables the multicomponent mixture to be converted into an o/w emulsion with a continuous aqueous phase. At least partly nonionic emulsifiers or emulsifier systems with a PIT of 0 to 100.degree. C. are particularly suitable. The invention enables the requirements in regard to technical performance, ecological compatibility and cost/effectiveness ratio to be optimally satisfied.