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US 9,598,299 B2Granted
Floating wicks for slurry consolidation
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorsDavid C. Rennard, Thomas R. Palmer, Scott R. Clingman, Robert D. Kaminsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for remediating an initially liquid-like slurry pond include distributing one or more floating wicks into the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes a slurry with a supernatant level above the slurry. A method also includes placing a load on the slurry, wherein the load causes an effective stress on the slurry and aids in dewatering the slurry.
Claims15
A method for remediating a slurry pond, comprising:
- distributing one or more wicks into the slurry pond wherein the one or more wicks buoyantly float in a slurry at least partially below a level of a supernatant;
- and
- using a mechanism to control a flotation of the one or more wicks so that one end of the one or more wicks floats near an interface between a layer of the slurry and the level of supernatant, wherein the mechanism comprises a diaphragm, weights, weighted buoys, floats, or a selection of a density of the material of the one or more wicks, or any combinations thereof;
- and
- wherein one end of the one or more wicks floats slightly above an interface between the layer of the slurry and the level of supernatant.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.