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:
Dec. 01, 2015
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2013
Dennis John O'rear, Petaluma, CA (US);
Russell Evan Cooper, Martinez, CA (US);
Feng-ran Sheu, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Jordan Taylor Belue, Houston, TX (US);
Dennis John O'Rear, Petaluma, CA (US);
Russell Evan Cooper, Martinez, CA (US);
Feng-Ran Sheu, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Jordan Taylor Belue, Houston, TX (US);
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., San Ramon, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for concurrently transporting and removing trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury from produced fluids such as natural gas, with the injection of a complexing agent and a hydrate inhibitor into the pipeline for use in transporting the produced fluid. Volatile mercury in the natural gas is removed while the produced fluid is being transported in the pipeline, with the hydrate inhibitor suppressing or decreasing the formation of the hydrate that would cause plugging in the pipeline. The complexing agent reacts with the volatile mercury in the natural gas, forming precipitate or soluble mercury complexes in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase containing the hydrate inhibitor, unreacted complexing agent, and mercury complexes is subsequently recovered and can be re-used in the pipeline.