Remediation of agglomerated flow improvers

Abstract

The present embodiment can teach a method of feeding to a materials processor a mixture containing an agglomerated drag reducer. The mixture is then homogenized to produce a remediated drag reducer. The maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle diameter of the remediated drag reducer.

1 . A method comprising:
 feeding to a materials processor a mixture comprising:
 an agglomerated drag reducer, and 
   homogenizing the mixture to produce a remediated drag reducer, wherein the maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle size diameter of the produced remediated drag reducer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of flowing through a 10 mm pore filter without leaving any substantial solids residue. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of flowing through a 3 mm pore filter without leaving any solids residue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of being injected through an injection pump using ¼ to 1 inch diameter check valves without clogging the injection pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer has been stored at a temperature above 90° F. for a certain period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum tip speed of the materials processor is 30 ft/sec. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum shear rate of the materials processor is 2,000 sec −1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 feeding to a materials processor a mixture comprising:
 an agglomerated drag reducer; and 
 at least one liquid, and 
   homogenizing the mixture to produce a remediated drag reducer, wherein the maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle size diameter of the produced remediated drag reducer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of flowing through a 10 mm pore filter without leaving any substantial solids residue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of flowing through a 3 mm pore filter without leaving any substantial solids residue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of being injected through an injection pump using ¼ to 1 inch diameter check valves without clogging the injection pump. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer has been stored at a temperature above 90° F. for a certain period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one liquid is selected from a liquid component used to manufacture the agglomerated drag reducer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one liquid is a stabilizer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the minimum tip speed of the materials processor is 30 ft/sec. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the minimum shear rate of the materials processor is 2,000 sec −1 . 
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising:
 a remediated drag reducer prepared by the process of:
 feeding to a materials processor a mixture comprising:
 an agglomerated drag reducer; and 
 at least one liquid, and 
 
 homogenizing the mixture to produce a remediated drag reducer, 
   wherein the maximum particle size diameter of the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is at least 5% larger than the maximum particle size diameter of the produced remediated drag reducer, and   wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer is incapable of flowing through a 3 mm pore filter without leaving any substantial solids residue and incapable of being injected through an injection pump using ¼ to 1 inch diameter check valves without clogging the injection pump.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the agglomerated drag reducing polymer has been stored at a temperature above 90° F. for a certain period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one liquid is selected from a liquid component used to manufacture the agglomerated drag reducer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one liquid is a stabilizer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the minimum tip speed of the materials processor is 30 ft/sec. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the minimum shear rate of the materials processor is 2,000 sec −1 .