# US 10,480,781 B2 · Removal of carbonaceous microbeads

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- Number: US 10,480,781 B2
- Document ID: US10480781B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/862,965
- Filed: 2018-01-05
- Published: 2018-07-12
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-11
- Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company
- Applicants: Conocophillips Company
- Inventors: Thomas D. Baugh; Edward G. Latimer; Stephen Appleyard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480781B2

## CPC

- F22B 37/486: {Devices for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers (F22B37/483, F22B37/50, F22B37/52 and F22B37/54 take precedence)}
- F22B 29/06: of once-through type, i.e. built-up from tubes receiving water at one end and delivering superheated steam at the other end of the tubes (combined low- and high-pressure boilers of forced-flow type F22B33/16)
- F22B 35/10: of once-through type
- F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS

## Abstract

A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train is described. The method involves obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train. Obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train. Recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations. Characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids. Installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train comprising:
obtaining foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train;
obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train;
recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations;
characterizing at least one physical property of the foulant samples and the filtered solids;
determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids; and
installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent is activated carbon or molecular carbon sieve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the absorbent is installed in the once-through steam generator, medium pressure flash, produced water cooler, induced gas flotation, or organic removal filter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the foulant precursor is made of carbon and silica.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the foulant precursor is submicron in all dimensions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the foulant sample contains organic material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the characterizing includes determining chemistry of the foulant samples and filtered solids.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent is installed in economizer, evaporator, or superheater section of a once-through steam generator within the once-through steam generator train.

### Claim 9

A method for mitigating fouling in a once-through steam generator train comprising:
obtaining solid foulant samples from the once-through steam generator train;
obtaining water samples from one or more locations along the once-through steam generator train;
recovering filtered solids from the water samples from the one or more locations;
characterizing the solid foulant samples and the filtered solids;
determining locations along the once-through steam generator train that include foulant precursor based on a matching of the at least one physical property between the foulant samples and the filtered solids; and
installing an absorbent at locations that include the foulant precursor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the adsorbent is activated carbon or molecular carbon sieve.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the absorbent is installed in the once-through steam generator, medium pressure flash, produced water cooler, induced gas flotation, or organic removal filter.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the foulant precursor is made of carbon and silica.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the foulant precursor is submicron in all dimensions.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the foulant sample contains organic material.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the characterizing includes determining chemistry of the foulant samples and filtered solids.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the adsorbent is installed in economizer, evaporator, or superheater section of a once-through steam generator within the once-through steam generator train.