Appeal 2007-2097
Application 10/746,644
8) Tate states that waste streams must be disposed of but surface
disposal might cause considerable pollution problems. (Id. at col. 1,
ll. 26-29).
9) Tate teaches that subterranean wells for injection have small
pores in the formation rock that are easily plugged by undissolved
particles present in fluids being injected. (Id. at col. 1, ll. 45-47).
10) Tate teaches that solids that plug subterranean wells come from
four sources including: 1) suspended solids and emulsions, such as
clay from river water, 2) solids formed by the mixing of two or more
solids-free streams, 3) solids formed by mixing of the stream(s) with
connate water in the subterranean well, and 4) solids formed by
precipitation when certain streams react with the rock in the well. (Id.
at col. 1, ll. 53-68).
11) Tate states that suspended solids and emulsions, such as clay
from river water, may be removed “by more effective surface
treatment using techniques well known in the art” and that his
invention is directed to plugging problems posed by other sources (Id.
at col. 1, ll. 68-70).
12) Tate describes lowering the pH of a waste stream by adding an
acid, such as hydrochloric acid. (Id. at col. 3, ll. 5-23).
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