Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid testing device which utilizes a small, cross-section fluid interface to separate a test fluid chamber from a drive and measuring chamber. The test fluid chamber contains the test fluid and a paddle-type fluid test assembly. The drive and measuring chamber contains a second fluid and assemblies for moving the paddle and for determining the resistance movement. The two chambers are connected together by a narrow cross-section passageway allowing for continuous testing while test fluids are flowed through the test chamber and for successive testing of different samples without breaking down the device between tests. A pair of coaxial shafts extends between the test fluid chamber and the drive and measuring chamber. The shafts are connected together by a spring located in the drive chamber whereby the resistance to movement is determined by measuring the deflection in the spring. The shafts are magnetically coupled to a motor to rotate the shafts.

Abstract: Apparatus for downhole filtration of fluids in a wellbore. The apparatus has a diverter and a filter slidably mounted on a mandrel. The diverter has a circumferential wiper element between the mandrel and the casing within which the apparatus is run. When fluids are reverse circulated, or the tool is being pulled out, the diverter shifts to a downward position, wherein it seals against an upper end of the filter, filtering out solids in the fluids and retaining them in a chamber between the sleeve and mandrel. When running the tool into a wellbore, the diverter shifts to an upper position to permit fluids to bypass the filter sleeve. The filter sleeve bears against a spring loaded seat, which permits creating a gap between the diverter and an upper end of the filter sleeve to allow fluids to bypass the filter sleeve should the filter sleeve slots become plugged.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a treatment fluid for a well includes: (a) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (b) an organic crosslinker comprising amine groups, wherein the organic crosslinker is capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (c) a Lewis acid; and (d) water; wherein the treatment fluid is a crosslinkable polymer composition.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) an oil-swellable binding material; and (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere; and (B) allowing or causing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr·ft·° F.

Abstract: A method is provided which releases and retrieves an opposed slip downhole tool by reducing the compressive forces on the sealing elements prior to unsetting the slip assemblies. Further, the method does so without damaging the slip assemblies. The method provides for the retrieval of the entire downhole tool including all of its component parts, requiring but a single trip within the wellbore. When the tool is to be retrieved, the sealing element is disengaged from the casing by relaxing the compression forces on the sealing element. Then the slip assemblies are disengaged from the casing such that the slip assemblies are no longer in gripping engagement with the casing. The tool is then retrieved from the wellbore. The step of disengaging the sealing assembly can be performed by radially contracting the sealing element with or without longitudinally expanding the sealing element.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece by moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also include positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention provides improved conditions for atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) of vanadium (IV) oxide. Specifically, higher quality vanadium oxide (particularly in the form of films) can be obtained by employing concentrations of precursors in the APCVD reaction which are substantially less than those used previously. These conditions improve the reproducibility of the films obtained by APCVD and also prevent particulate formation in the manufacturing apparatus, which in previous work had caused blockages. The films obtained have improved visual appearance, especially color, and/or have improved adhesion to a substrate. The obtained films also show a greater difference in transmission above and below the switching temperature than previous films. The invention also provides doped vanadium oxide, particularly with tungsten. Substrates (e.g. glass substrates) coated with a film of vanadium oxide are also provided.

Abstract: A method of improving the storage and handling characteristics of a condensed whey permeate (“CWP”) comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a CWP that: (i) has a total solids content in the range of about 20% to about 75% by weight and has a water content in the range of about 80% to about 25% by weight; (ii) has a lactose concentration of at least 70% by weight of the total solids content; and (iii) is at a pH of less than 8; and (b) treating the CWP with at least a sufficient proportion of alkali to raise the pH to at least 8. Also, a method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a CWP that does not exhibit substantial crystallization; and (b) treating the CWP with at least a sufficient proportion of alkali to reduce the amount of crystallization obtained using a 30 mesh screen for a sample of the treated CWP relative to a sample of the untreated CWP when tested after storing for 7 days at a temperature range having an upper limit that is at least 28° C. (50° F.

Abstract: The metal truss assembly disclosed herein is made from generally U-shaped metal chords and multiple generally S-shaped web members extending between the chords. A typical truss assembly has a pair of elongated, opposed, diverging metal upper chords and a lower chord, with the chords each forming generally U-shaped channels defining an interior chord space. A plurality of elongated metal web members extend between the upper and lower chords, with each of the web members extending into the interior space of an upper chord and the lower chord and attached to the chords. The web members, as taught herein, have a generally S-shaped cross-section. The shape of the web members is an advancement of prior art web members.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing pulsation in a gas compressor system. A pulsation control device, such as a filter bottle or side branch absorber, is installed at a port into some location on the compressor system. The pulsation control device has a choke tube with a variable cross-sectional area, such as by having multiple conduits that may be opened or closed or a diameter that may be varied. In operation, the cross sectional area of the choke tube is varied depending on the compressor speed.

Abstract: A method is provided for swelling hydrocarbon-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a water-in-oil emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises: (i) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is an internal phase of the water-in-oil emulsion and wherein the aqueous liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the water-in-oil emulsion to contact the hydrocarbon-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the hydrocarbon-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.

Abstract: A method for filling an annular area within a wellbore penetrated by a subterranean formation is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) introducing a proppant into a wellbore to form a gravel pack of the proppant, wherein a specimen of the proppant has a non-globular and non-fibrous shape, and wherein the shape is further selected to provide the proppant the ability to bridge together such that the proppant has a maximum bridging span of at least 3 times larger than a largest overall dimension of the proppant specimen, where the maximum bridging span is the largest outlet hole diameter that the proppant can bridge under the weight of gravity; and (b) passing fluid through the gravel pack.

Abstract: A method for treating a wellbore tubular or subsurface completion equipment to help remove scale is provided. In general, the method comprises the steps of: (A) determining the likelihood of the presence of carbonate scale in the wellbore tubular or subsurface completion equipment; (B) forming or providing a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a chelating agent capable of forming a heterocyclic ring that contains a metal ion attached to at least two nonmetal ions; and (iii) a viscosity-increasing agent; and (C) introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore tubular or the subsurface completion equipment.

Abstract: A computer assisted pain assessment method where the patient is presented with successive computer screens: a first screen with a human body replica on an interactive touch screen for the patient to shade his or her area of pain being experienced and then presented with a second screen with a color spectrum scale for the patient to select a pain intensity from minimum to maximum by moving a pointer to indicate the pain intensity, a check the box for type of pain where the patient checks a box indicating his or her type of pain, and a gray scale for indicating a depth of pain where the patient moves a pointer between superficial or bone level. Upon completion of these two screens, the next computer screen presents the human body replica with the pain area shown by particular marking for the area of pain, the selected type of pain by a unique pattern for the area of pain and the pattern colored for the particular intensity as selected on the second screen. The patient then is asked to confirm the pain.

Abstract: A method is provided for swelling water-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing an oil-in-water emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises: (i) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is an internal phase of the oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the oil-in-water emulsion to contact the water-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the water-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.

Abstract: A fish habitat which provides a habitat for fish to congregate consisting of individual strands of a buoyant material, such as polyethylene, secured to a body for installation on the bed of a body of water.

Abstract: A method of making a proppant is provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a particulate comprising: (i) a binder; and (ii) a filler; and (b) sintering the particulate to form a sintered proppant, wherein the sintered proppant comprises: (i) at least 20 wt % of alkaline earth oxide equivalent; and (ii) at least 20 wt % of silicon dioxide equivalent. A method of treating (e.g., fracturing) a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) suspending the sintered proppant in a treatment fluid; and (b) introducing the sintered proppant into the subterranean formation. The sintered proppant is made with a raw material selected from the group consisting of: unhydrated cement, hydrated cement (e.g., construction cement or concrete waste), kiln dust, fly ash, limestone, lime, talc, olivine, dolomite, clay that contains a substantial concentration of alkaline earth oxide equivalent, and any combination thereof in any proportion.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes: (a) a mobile platform; (b) an input pump operatively connected to be capable of pumping a treatment stream through the system; (c) a centrifugal separator operatively connected downstream of the input pump to centrifugally treat the treatment stream; (d) a borate filter operatively connected downstream of the centrifugal separator to filter the treatment stream capable of removing at least some of a borate when the treatment stream is at a pH of 8 or above; and (e) a chemical-additive subsystem operatively connected to be capable of: (i) selectively adding one or more chemical agents to the treatment stream upstream of the centrifugal separator, wherein the chemical agents can be selected to be capable of precipitating dissolved ions selected from the group consisting of: sulfate, calcium, strontium, or barium, magnesium, iron; and (ii) selectively adding a chemical agent to the treatment stream upstream of the borate filter to increase the pH of the treatment stream to 8 o

Abstract: Method of treating, especially, horizontally deviated wellbores where various treating solutions such as, acids, slurries, proppants, fracturing fluids, flushing fluids, or sealants are transferred into an annulus formed by a casing in the well and a working string. The working string has a seal member providing a sliding seal with the casing, a perforated nipple above the seal, and a check valve above the perforated nipple for preventing back flow through the working string to the surface. The working string has a seal element at the wellhead to avoid treating solutions leaking from the annulus out the wellhead. Treating solution of the desired make-up is pumped into the annulus, through the perforated nipple, down the working string, along the horizontal deviated wellbore, then into the strata or formation through a dispersing tool for the particular treating solution.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-elevating platform lift for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level is provided. The platform lift comprises: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines for connection at the second level and for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines.