Abstract: A solids feeder for transporting particulate solids from an elevated solids feed reservoir and introducing the solids upwardly into the bottom of a solids upflow vessel. The feeder includes a horizontally reciprocatable carriage supporting a vertical feed cylinder fitted with a vertically reciprocatable piston. The piston is vertically reciprocated by a hydraulic cylinder suspended from the carriage. The carriage is reciprocated between a first carriage position wherein the feed cylinder is aligned with a feed chute communicating with the feed reservoir and a second carriage position wherein the feed cylinder is aligned with a bottom solids inlet of the upflow vessel. A tram-like suspension system movably supports the carriage from elevated structural rails. Optionally, the structure of the carriage is adapted to controllably vertically yield during the pumping stroke so as to seat the bottom of the piston actuating hydraulic cylinder on a wedge block mounted on the foundation.

Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering mineral values from a subterranean mineral-bearing formation, which includes (1) a first injection-and-production phase during which a leaching solution is injected into the formation and a pregnant liquor is simultaneously recovered from the formation, (2) a production-only phase during which injection is suspended and additional pregnant liquor is recovered from the formation, and (3) a second injection-and-production phase.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a regenerable washing solution having a pH between about 5 and about 10 and containing solubilized vanadium, thiocyanate ions, a carboxylate complexing agent, one or more water-soluble quinones and one or more water-soluble nonquinone aromatic compounds capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

Abstract: Useful energy is derived from steam flashed from hot geothermal brine having a tendency to deposit amorphous silica or calcite upon a reduction in the pressure or temperature of the brine. Steam condensate produced from the flashed steam is pressurized, acidified and preheated, and the acidified preheated steam condensate is mixed with the hot geothermal brine at a point upstream of the flash stage so as to form a hot aqueous mixture with a reduced tendency for deposition of amorphous silica or calcite.

Abstract: A thiocyanate compound is added to metals-containing hydrocarbon oils under reaction conditions, and a product hydrocarbon of reduced metals content is separated from a metals-containing solid.

Abstract: A method for the enhanced recovery of both natural gas and liquid petroleum from hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formations, particularly dipping subterranean formations, by the consecutive steps of introducing a gaseous displacement fluid to recover natural gas and thereafter introducing an oil-miscible displacement fluid to recover undrained oil and/or other liquid petroleum.

Abstract: Process for the solution mining of minerals from a subterranean formation using a dilute aqueous carbonic acid leaching solution and intermittent injection of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Process for the solution mining of minerals from a subterranean formation in which a dilute carbonic acid leaching solution is injected through a first well into the formation and a pregnant liquor containing the dissolved minerals is recovered from a second well. Subsequently the direction of flow through the formation is reversed by injecting the leaching solution through the second well and recovering the pregnant liquor from the first well. Optionally, an oxidizing agent is injected either simultaneously with the leaching solution, or alternately with slugs of the leaching solution.

Abstract: A rotating eccentric weight apparatus and method for generating coded shear wave signals for use in seismic exploration. The apparatus includes a rotatable eccentric and a position sensor capable of detecting each instant that the eccentric passes a particular angular position about its axis of rotation and generating a code signal for use in correlating the raw seismic data obtained. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outrigger shovel which transmits a sinusoidal shear wave signal generated by the rotating eccentric while the rest of the apparatus is caused to alternately decouple from and impact against the earth surface to transmit a coded train of pressure wave impulses into the earth.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a regenerable washing solution containing solubilized vanadium thiocyanate ions, a carboxylate complexing agent and one or more water-soluble quinones capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The molar ratio of vanadium to quinone(s) in the washing solution is selected to substantially reduce or eliminate the formation of contaminant sulfate salts. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for the bulk delivery of a volatile liquid including a mobile delivery vessel having at least one compartment for the bulk storage of the volatile liquid. Each compartment has a liquid outlet controlled by a remotely controllable liquid outlet valve and a vapor inlet controlled by a remotely controllable vapor inlet valve. The opening and closing of these valves are interlocked and, optionally, the closing of the vapor inlet valve is delayed a predetermined time after the closing of the liquid outlet valve.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrogen sulfide-containing hydrogenated Claus process tail gas to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur in which said gas is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution containing a water-soluble metal vanadate, a water-soluble anthraquinone disulfonate, and a water-soluble, inorganic fluoride, borate, or phosphate complexing agent to yield an effluent gas to reduced sulfur content. The solution is thereafter regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas, elemental sulfur is recovered from the solution, and the regenerated solution is recycled to the gas-contacting step. The complexing agent contained in the solution reduces the chemical consumption of the anthraquinone disulfonate.

Abstract: Apparatus including a manually operated electrical switch operably connected through electrical and pneumatic systems to a hydraulic system for remote manual control of hydraulically actuated devices, such as hydraulically actuated throttling valves. The apparatus is particularly useful as a remote manual override for malfunctioning automatic hydraulic controllers.

Abstract: A rotating eccentric weight apparatus and method for generating coded shear wave signals for use in seismic exploration. The apparatus includes a rotatable eccentric and a position sensor capable of detecting each instant that the eccentric passes a particular angular position about its axis of rotation and generating a code signal for use in correlating the raw seismic data obtained. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outrigger shovel which transmits a sinusoidal shear wave signal generated by the rotating eccentric while the rest of the apparatus is caused to alternately decouple from and impact against the earth surface to transmit a coded train of pressure wave impulses into the earth.

Abstract: A solids feeder and method for transporting particulate solids from an elevated solids feed reservoir and introducing the solids upwardly into the bottom of a solids upflow vessel. The feeder includes a stationary feed cylinder axially aligned with a bottom solids inlet of the upflow vessel and fitted with a vertically reciprocatable piston which alternately (1) retracts to allow the feed cylinder to receive solids from the feed reservoir by gravity flow through a feed chute and (2) extends to displace the solids upwardly into the upflow vessel. Horizontally reciprocatable slide plates prevent backflow of solids during the filling of the feed cylinder.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a substantially quinone-free aqueous washing solution containing, inter alia, solubilized vanadium, thiocyanate ions, and one or more water-soluble nonquinone aromatic compounds capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling a borehole in which an undersized drill bit mounted eccentrically within the borehole is rotated about its axis in engagement with the bottom of the borehole by means of a downhole motor while the drill bit is simultaneously rotated in a planetary motion about the axis of the borehole.

Abstract: Subterranean formations having temperatures above about 250.degree. F. are acidized by introducing a substantially anhydrous foamed treating fluid through a well and into the formation. The treating fluid contains a gas, a nonionic substantially hydrophobic foaming agent and an acid precursor which is normally liquid halogenated hydrocarbon having one or two carbon atoms per molecule. The acid precursor hydrolyzes in situ to generate a hydrohalic acid.

Abstract: The less permeable zones of subterranean formations having temperatures above about 250.degree. F. are acidized by selectively plugging the more permeable zones with acid-soluble particulate diverting agents and then injecting a substantially anhydrous acid precursor into the formation. The acid precursor, which is a normally liquid halogenated hydrocarbon having one or two carbon atoms per molecule, hydrolyzes in situ to generate a hydrohalic acid. Subsequent to the placement of the acid precursor in the less permeable zones, the diverting agents may be solubilized in acid, such as the partially spent acid returning to the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing floating roof tanks including a sealing element disposed around the circumference of the floating roof between the floating roof and the tank wall, and a plurality of baffles adapted to substantially inhibit or prevent the circumferential flow of vapors through a vapor space between the sealing element and the body of stored volatile liquid.