Abstract: A treatment fluid and system are disclosed for cleaning borehole filtercake using the treatment fluid, wherein the filtercake contains reservoir drilling fluid (RDF) solids. The treatment fluid comprises a fluoride source providing a 1.2 to 5 molar fluoride concentration, and another acid or combination of acids to provide a pH between 1.8 and 5. The treatment fluid is balanced for a dissolving power high enough to have significant dissolution of the filtercake, but low enough for even propagation to avoid premature leak-off.

Abstract: A ball valve for use in the pressure acid leaching of nickel ores is disclosed. The valve has a valve body and a ball centrally positioned in the valve body, which has a central passage rotatable in the valve body between open and closed positions. At least one seat is disposed between the ball and the valve body. The ball and seat each comprise a titanium substrate and an ultrafine or nanostructured titania coating. The titania can include from 5 to 45 volume percent of a second phase material that is immiscible with the titania and exhibits corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The existing plant has a reformer (10) to which natural gas or another hydrocarbon and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is process to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32), and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is the existing to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). Any remaining syngas (38) not fed to the carbon dioxide separator (22) can be converted to methanol in the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) along with carbon dioxide (24) from the separator (22) and/or imported carbon dioxide (25), and hydrogen (35) from the separator (28). The separated carbon monoxide (30) is then reacted with the methanol (36) to produce acetic acid (40) or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A pre-assembly of pre-baked corn tortillas are alternatingly stacked with separators to space the tortillas apart to enable water vapor to escape during microwave heating and help keep the tortillas from becoming wet or soggy. The assembly can include a plastic bag for the stack, in a prepackaged form. Also a method for re-heating tortillas by placing the tortilla/separator stack in a microwave heating compartment and allowing water vapor to escape via the separators. The stack can be placed in a microwave-safe serving container with a removable lid to facilitate microwaving and serving the tortillas in a single container.

Abstract: The converting of an existing methanol plant to make hydrogen and optionally methanol is disclosed. The converted plant utilizes the steam reformer (10) to which (a) a hydrocarbon, e.g., natural gas, or a lower alkanol, e.g., methanol, and (b) steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is processed in a CO converter (21) and/or a separation unit (22 & 28) to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32). In the first mode, the CO converter (21) is isolated and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). In the second mode, a lower alkanol is fed to the reformer (10), and the methanol synthesis loop (12) is shutdown and isolated from the rest of the plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, valve prosthesis and procedure for the minimally invasive implantation of a sutureless anti-reflux valve in a patient for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Self-anchoring or stapleable one-way anti-reflux valve prostheses are provided, which may be implanted proximate a patient's gastroesophageal junction without open or laparoscopic surgery. An instrument for the peroral insertion, positioning and fixing of the valve prosthesis to the tissue of the esophagus is described for the implantation of either the self-anchoring or stapleable prosthesis.

Abstract: A system of selective catalytic reduction units for reducing nitrogen oxides by operating a plurality of parallel combustion units in parallel with a spare selective catalytic reduction reactor is disclosed. A primary selective catalytic reactor with spent catalyst is isolated for maintenance while the flue gas is diverted to the spare selective catalytic reduction reactor while continuing to discharge flue gas essentially free of nitrogen oxides from the spare selective catalytic reduction reactor. The spare selective catalytic reduction reactor can include a spare induced draft fan to provide an alternate means for operation and maintenance.

Abstract: Disclosed are an instrument, valve prosthesis and procedure for the minimally invasive implantation of a sutureless anti-reflux valve in a patient for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. A prosthesis is provided that comprises a cylindrical housing, a mounting ring and a one-way anti-reflux valve depending from the mounting ring. The cylindrical housing is constructed of a memory material that can be fixed in the gastroesophageal junction. The mounting ring and the anti-reflux valve are fixed within the housing.

Abstract: The converting of an existing methanol plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The converted plant utilizes the steam reformer (10) to which (a) a hydrocarbon ,e.g., natural gas, or a lower alkanol, e.g., methanol, and (b) steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is processed to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32), and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). When a lower alkanol is fed to the reformer (10), the methanol synthesis loop (12) is shutdown and isolated from the rest of the plant.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes radiation reflectors on the refractory wall of a fired furnace opposite the spaces between adjacent tubes. The radiation reflectors focus the reflected radiation from the flame onto the dark side of the tubes. The invention increases the overall heat transfer of the tube by increasing the heat flux rate for the backside of the tube, and also decreases the flux and temperature differentials between the front and rear sides of the tubes.

Abstract: A pushcart comprises two wheels attached to a fixed rear transverse member and two wheels attached to a pivotal front transverse member. The rear and front transverse members connect to a slanted longitudinal member. The wheels are affixed via a fork assembly to the ends of the respective members. The placement and slanting of the longitudinal member, as well as an almost upright steering column, enables an operator to achieve a lower center of gravity, for greater maneuverability and control during use. The platform comprises closely spaced bars affixed to the longitudinal member and to the fixed rear transverse member. The closely spaced bars provide lateral support to the longitudinal member as well as a platform for riding the pushcart. A cover plate shields the one or more tie rods from foreign matter and provides an alternate foot location for the operator during the performance of tricky maneuvers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transverse bitbreaker plate, which is attached to the lower surface of a power wrench to effect the coupling or decoupling of downhole tools such as bits or stabilizers. The plate is hinged and provides a generally triangular shaped profile along through its transverse surface which mates with the bit or stabilizer, which is to be connected or disconnected. The hinged plate is removably attached below the power wrench with pins so that it may be used and removed in a minimum of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic control apparatus used to sweep a range of operating frequencies and to identify, store and tune to the resonant frequency of a magnetostrictively driven handpiece. This allows the user to change tip systems as desired and the device is not limited to a preset or switch selectable frequency. The unit automatically finds and adjusts to the frequency which corresponds to the resonant acoustic frequency of the magnetostrictive coil insert tip system.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps for obtaining multiple tissue specimens of an organ through a biopsy channel of an endoscope is disclosed. The biopsy forceps comprises a tubular body, a central wire, a set of jaws, and an activating handle. The central wire is disposed in the tubular body with the distal end of the central wire extending therethrough. A set of jaws is cooperatively mounted to the distal end of the central wire such that as the central wire is displaced by the activating handle, the distal end of the central wire is drawn toward the tubular body, which forces the jaws to close. A space is provided between the wire and the housing for retaining multiple tissue specimens.