Abstract: An integrated method for the derivation of useful energy from steam containing both hydrogen sulfide and an alkaline acting component, such as ammonia, while substantially reducing the emission of sulfur-containing compounds to the atmosphere. Pretreatment of the steam to selectively remove the alkaline acting components results in the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the uncondensed vapor as the steam is condensed during energy derivation. The uncondensed vapor is separated from the steam condensate and then is treated to produce an environmentally acceptable vent gas.

Abstract: A method for introducing particulate solids upwardly through a bottom solids inlet of a solids upflow vessel wherein after full extension of a piston to displace solids from a feed cylinder into the solids upflow vessel, the piston is partially retracted to "relax" the bed of solids in the solids upflow vessel. The bed relaxation step reduces the piston-to-solids pressure during the pumping stroke as well as substantially reducing the solids loading pressure on the device used to prevent backflow of solids from the upflow vessel during refilling of the feed cylinder.

Abstract: A process for treating and deriving useful energy from a two-phase geothermal brine containing non-condensible gases, including hydrogen sulfide, and also containing heavy and/or transition metals in solution, wherein the non-condensible gases are separated from the geothermal brine. Substantially all of the hydrogen sulfide contained in the non-condensible gas is converted to sulfur dioxide and at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide is removed from the non-condensible gas thereby rendering the same environmentally acceptable for discharge. The separated geothermal brine is flashed to a high quality steam utilized for energy derivation. The portion of sulfur dioxide removed from the non-condensible gas is added to the remaining brine for reinjection into the subterranean geothermal reservoir.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a regenerable washing solution capable of absorbing the hydrogen sulfide and converting the hydrogen sulfide to hydrophobic elemental sulfur particles. After oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, the sulfur particles are transferred to a nonaqueous carrier liquid to thereby form a substantially nonaqueous sulfur slurry which is then heated to melt the sulfur and form a dense liquid sulfur product which separates by gravity from the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Crushed oil shale is segregated into a major portion of relatively large particles and a minor portion of "fines," such as will pass through 1/8-inch screen openings. The large particles are subjected to retorting in an upflowing bed in countercurrent contact with a downflowing hot eduction gas, while the fines are fed onto and controllably transported across the hot planar surface of a free-standing truncated cone of spent shale at the top of the retort.

Abstract: An ice platform suitable for multiseason use is constructed in a cold offshore region by accumulating ice on a portion of a floating natural ice sheet until the ice mass formed thereby becomes grounded on the marine bottom. A rigid wall element is driven through the ice and a preselected distance into the marine bottom so as to form a structural wall surrounding the ice mass. Subsequently an insulation jacket is installed over the top surface of the ice mass and between the ice mass and the wall. To dismantle the ice platform, the wall and at least part of the insulation jacket are removed to allow natural forces to restore the region to its natural state.

Abstract: A seismic exploration method in which a rotating eccentric weight seismic source is employed to transmit a coded energy signal into the earth. A position sensor mounted on the source directly detects the instants at which the rotating eccentric passes a particular angular position about its axis of rotation, and generates a code signal which is used to correlate the raw seismic data. Preferably the source is allowed to decouple from the earth surface such that the coded energy signal transmitted into the earth is a coded impulse train.

Abstract: A method for preventing the deposition of sulfide and/or sulfate scale during the production of a hot two-phase geothermal fluid which contains hydrogen sulfide, barium heavy and/or transition metals, and at least a critical minimum amount of calcium in solution. Gaseous oxygen is injected into the geothermal fluid at a critical rate to selectively oxidize the hydrogen sulfide to intermediate sulfide oxidation products, such as thiosulfates. Thereafter the geothermal fluid is separated into gaseous and liquid phases. Where iron is present in the geothermal fluid, the degree of turbulence induced during the oxidation step is selectively controlled in order to prevent the deposition of iron pyrites.

Abstract: A seismic exploration method in which a coded energy signal is generated and transmitted into the earth, the seismic energy reflected from within the earth is sensed and sampled to form a raw trace, the raw trace is crosscorrelated with a record of the coded energy signal, and a predictive operator derived from the autocorrelation function of the coded energy signal is subtractively applied to the crosscorrelated trace to remove correlation residuals, and thereby produce a high quality processed trace. Geophysical principles are used to interpret the processed trace and identify subterranean mineral deposits of interest. Based on this interpretation at least one well is drilled to further explore and/or develop the mineral deposits of interest.

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 phenolic complexing agent or a water-soluble carboxylic complexing agent, to yield an effluent gas of 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: An aqueous fluoride salt solution and a substantially anhydrous acid precursor are introduced through a well into a high temperature subterranean formation containing siliceous materials. The acid precursor, which is a normally liquid halogenated hydrocarbon having one or two carbon atoms, hydrolyzes in situ to generate a hydrohalic acid which combines with the fluoride salt to acidize the siliceous materials.

Abstract: A method for generating electricity wherein a geothermal fluid is produced from a moderate temperature hydrothermal formation and is used to supply sufficient sensible heat to preheat a working fluid, thereby cooling the geothermal fluid. The cool geothermal fluid is preferably reinjected into the hydrothermal formation and the preheated working fluid is injected into a dry hot rock formation wherein it is vaporized. The hot vapor is then recovered and utilized in a heat engine/generator for the production of electricity.

Abstract: A cement system including minor amounts of a carbon black cement additive admixed with cement is used to cement high temperature wells.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for building a thickened ice mass, such as a grounded ice island, at a cold offshore location, in which water is pumped through a fluid flow conduit and discharged from a rotating swing arm section of the conduit onto selected areas of a natural ice sheet to form circular and/or annular thickened ice bodies. The fluid flow conduit includes a first water supply line disposed in the water body between the ice sheet and the marine bottom, and, if required, a second water supply line which is installed along the top surface of the ice island after the grounding of the ice body forces abandonment of the first water supply line.

Abstract: An improved gravel-packing tool assembly with a baffled stinger pipe for gravel-packing a perforate liner having substantially the same internal diameter as the casing string extending from the perforate liner to the earth surface. A perforate nipple and a swab cup are provided between the check valve and the baffled stinger pipe of the tool assembly to allow drainage of the annulus above the tool assembly through the stinger pipe to thereby avoid swabbing the well as the tool is retrieved from the well.

Abstract: An inline motionless mixer for mounting in a fluid-conducting conduit having a removable housing which facilitates cleaning of the internal mixing elements.

Abstract: An improved gas drilling method for drilling a well through steam-bearing formations in which emissions of particulate material and other contaminants are reduced by imposing a surface back pressure on, and thereby reducing the velocity of, the contaminant-bearing gas rising through the well. The drilling cuttings and other particulate material rising through the well are subjected to less abrasion and therefore arrive at the surface as larger, more easily separated particles. Drill string erosion is also reduced by the method and the efficiencies of any well effluent treatment facilities are increased.

Abstract: A process for reducing the hydrogen sulfide content of geothermal steam during a drilling operation by injecting hydrogen peroxide and an alkali metal hydroxide or calcium hydroxide into a flowing stream containing geothermal steam. Environmentally harmless reaction products are thus formed and the emission of hydrogen sulfide during drilling operations is substantially abated.

Abstract: Subterranean formations having temperatures between about 250.degree. F. and about 700.degree. F. are acidized by introducing a substantially anhydrous acid precursor through a well and into the formation, wherein the precursor hydrolyzes in situ to generate a hydrohalic acid. The acid precursor is a normally liquid, halogenated hydrocarbon having one or two carbon atoms per molecule which is thermally stable under the high temperature and pressure conditions encountered prior to hydrolysis.

Abstract: A method for producing mechanical energy from geothermal fluids in which a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is heated by direct contact with the hot geothermal fluids, thereby partially cooling the geothermal fluids. A working fluid is heated by direct contact with the partially cooled geothermal fluid and is heated further by indirect heat exchange with the hot HTF. The heated working fluid is utilized in a heat engine for the production of mechanical energy.