Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for mixing and injecting into a well tubular a dry material/liquid slurry. The apparatus is comprised of an entrainment chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a hopper having an inlet, and an outlet detachably connected to the chamber inlet, a jet nozzle vertically positioned adjacent the hopper outlet and a tubing connector attached to the chamber outlet. Pressurized liquid is passed through the jet nozzle creating a partial vacuum, entraining gravity fed material from the hopper to form a slurry. The slurry passes through the tubing connector and is injected into a well tubular which are detachably connected to the tubing connector.

Abstract: A method for determining the volume of gas flow in a conduit. Magnetic heads mounted on arms that oscillate in response to pressure changes record magnetic signals on rotating magnetic discs instead of the usual method of recording ink tracks on paper charts. The magnetic signals are then sensed and integrated to volumetric data by means of a computer program. Both ink and magnetic indicia may be made on the same disc if desired.

Abstract: A method for removing and recovering hydrocarbons contained in hydrocarbon/water mixtures. Hydrocarbons are stripped from nonflowing hydrocarbon/water mixtures in a tank by bubbles of inert gas or air introduced under pressure. The inert gas or air and hydrocarbons are vented from the tank and the water is removed from the tank when satisfactorily purified. The material in the tank preferably is heated. A two-tank process may be used wherein the second tank is filled while the stripping process in the first tank is taking place. The rate of flow of the inert gas or air is maintained at a low enough rate to allow recovery of product.

Abstract: A method for stopping the backspinning of a submersible pump motor prior to restarting the motor. A control circuit is provided which rectifies A.C. control voltage and applies the resulting D.C. voltage to an induction motor. This sets up a stationary magnetic field in the stator of the motor which creates a braking effect on the rotor. By braking the backspinning to a stop or to a speed which will not harm the motor if restarted while still backspinning, the motor can be restarted without having to wait until the downward flow of fluid causing the backspinning stops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duckbill conservation vent valve comprising an elastomeric tubular body having an axial fluid passageway with an inlet and an outlet. The tubular body progressively narrows in cross section from inlet to outlet, forming opposed sealing lips at the outlet. The lips define a closed slit therebetween. The slit is opened in response to pressure exerted from the inlet in the direction of the slit. The slit is kept closed by means such as applying either external or internal force on opposing ribs which extend radially from the tubular body or by draping a long lip over a slit and a short lip, or by stretching a short lip to equal the length of a long lip and attaching the short lip to the long lip. The duckbill conservation vent valve is capable of being opened by pressure heads of less than about 2 inches of water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and hydrogen. The hydrogen sulfide gas is contacted with a quinone in an aqueous solvent containing a sulfur complexing agent to yield sulfur and the corresponding hydroquinone. The hydroquinone is converted back to quinone and hydrogen. The quinone is recycled and the hydrogen gas and sulfur is collected. The invention also discloses a range of ratios of complexing agent to quinone which produces an unexpected yield for the disclosed reaction.

Abstract: A process for storing a refined liquid hydrocarbon product in a storage tank having a dead volume. The process comprises filling the dead volume with a rigid crosslinked polymer gel and storing product in the remaining internal volume of the storage tank.

Abstract: A method and means for delivering the liquid generated by a coreflood experiment to test tubes and the gas so generated to a gas outlet. A mixture of gas and liquid is fed through an axially rotating tube extending through the central portion of a sealed chamber in which the test tubes are arranged in a circular path. The tube has a transversely extending delivery portion which deposits liquid into the test tubes, while gas is collected through a conduit leading from the chamber. The tube is incrementally rotated through a mechanism which allows fluid from the core sample to flow into the tube at the same back pressure under which the experiment takes place.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing liquids and pollution within a liquid drainage comprising a first conduit, a second conduit, a liquid barrier, a means for lifting, and a means for sensing pollution. The second conduit is smaller in relative diameter than the first conduit and is positioned so that the second conduit outlet end is located within the first conduit. The second conduit has a flexible portion of its length which permits the outlet end of the second conduit to be lifted while the inlet end of the second conduit remains stationary. The liquid barrier guides fluid flow into the second conduit inlet during normal flow, guides fluid flow into the second conduit and liquid flow over the top of the liquid barrier and into the first conduit during floods and retains liquid during normal flow when the outlet end of the second conduit is lifted. The apparatus further comprises a means for lifting which is electrically connected to a sensing means.

Abstract: A semi-permeable membrane process of separating impurities from a hydrocarbon mixture. A fuel gas sweep gas is used to purge and dilute the permeate. Because this reduces the partial pressure of the impurities, the driving force for permeation is increased even though the permeate mixture pressure is increased to the extent that the system need not employ a compressor or vacuum pump. The mixture of permeate, fuel gas and permeated hydrocarbon product can be delivered at a pressure sufficient to flow directly to the plant fuel system or other system for use therein. Specific membrane units employing hollow fiber membranes or spirally wound stacked membrane layers are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for identification and quantification of sulfonation by-products by ion chromatography. The method utilizes 2 eluants and preferably 3 eluants to identify and quantify the by-products on a single chromatographic run.

Abstract: A conformance improvement treatment process is provided for reducing the permeability of a higher-permeability zone in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation which is in fluid communication with a lower-permeability zone of the formation. The process includes preparing a gel precursor solution at the surface, injecting the solution into a wellbore penetrating the formation, placing the solution in the higher-permeability zone and gelling the solution therein. In situ gelation of the solution results in substantial permeability reduction to the higher-permeability zone. A specific gel precursor solution is utilized which contains a gelling agent and a polymer formed from at least two distinct monomers wherein the first monomer has a relatively faster, yet controlled, rate of hydrolysis and the second monomer has a relatively slower rate of hydrolysis. Gelation of the solution is delayed until a substantial number of carboxylate groups are formed in situ on the polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting fluid into and producing fluid, including gas, from a subterranean formation via a well in fluid communication with the formation. Fluid is injected into the subterranean formation through a first generally tubular conduit in the well and fluid is produced from formation to the surface through this conduit until fluid flow ceases. Thereafter, fluid is pumped from the formation into the tubular conduit and diverted into the annulus defined between the conduit and the well. The pressure drop created by this diversion causes gas to break out of the produced fluid. The remaining fluid is diverted back into the conduit and pumped to the surface while the gas is produced to the surface via the annulus.

Abstract: A polymer enhanced foam comprising a polymer selected from a synthetic polymer or a biopolymer, a surfactant, an aqueous solvent and a gas is injected into a fractured subterranean formation via a first well in fluid communication with the formation and preferentially enters fractures present in the formation. The injected polymer enhanced foam promotes the recovery of liquid hydrocarbons from said formation via the first well or a second well in fluid communication with the formation.

Abstract: Method and means for preventing fluidization or mobilization of a gravel pack in a fluid producing well as a result of increased fluid pressure caused by a well shut-in or other pressure surge. A pressure relief valve in the form of a check valve is provided in a tubing string below a packer surrounding the string and above the top of the gravel pack. The check valve is held in closed position by a biasing force, such as a spring, which is less than the pressure which will cause mobilization or fluidization of the gravel pack. A pressure surge such as a well shut-in or flow rate decrease increases tubing pressure which causes the check valve to open, thereby relieving the pressure in the gravel pack to a point below the critical level.

Abstract: A method of selectively and variably positioning tubing within the generally horizontal section of a horizontally drilled well. A tubing string having a guide shoe secured to the end thereof is inserted into a portion of the horizontal section of a horizontal well. Smaller diameter tubing is then inserted through the tubing string and past guide shoe into the generally horizontal section. The smaller diameter tubing can be inserted to a point proximate the end of the horizontal section of the well or intermediate between the end and the guide shoe. The subterranean formation surrounding the generally horizontal section may be stimulated or treated by injecting a fluid via the smaller diameter tubing.

Abstract: A foam is provided having utility for improving sweep efficiency in subterranean oil-bearing formations and having specific utility for conformance improvement treatments and mobility control in such formations. The foam is a gel medium having a gas dispersed therein. The gel medium is made up of a crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, a surfactant and a liquid solvent.

Abstract: A sealed valve body housing a rotary valve rotated by a spindle. The spindle is connected to a disc mounted in a chamber in the valve body adjacent a valve body wall. Polyphase drive coils on the valve body wall induce a current in the disc, causing it to rotate. A pulse sensor mounted on the valve body detects the rotative position of the disc and a counter signals the power source to stop movement of the valve. The periphery of the disc is notched to permit the pulses to pass through the rotating disc and be counted. The torque of the disc can be increased through use of more sets of coils, more discs or gears interconnecting the spindle and the rotary valve.

Abstract: A composition for use as a road base or levee fill. The composition comprises catalytic cracking catalyst particles in the size range of 1 to 200 microns and a binder the type and amount of which depend on the end use. Hydrated lime is employed as the binder in road base construction while hydrated lime, portland cement, fly ash or mixtures of fly ash and portland cement can be used in levee construction. The spent catalyst particles are present in amounts of 80% to 96% and the binder is present in amounts of 4% to 20%, both percentage ranges being determined according to the dry weight of the composition.

Abstract: A relatively high molecular weight polyvinyl sulfonate and a process for inhibiting scale deposition, particularly inorganic sulfate such as barium sulfate, wherein an aqueous fluid present in or produced from a subterranean formation is contacted with an aqueous solution having a relatively high molecular weight polyvinyl sulfonate dissolved therein. The aqueous fluid has a pH equal to or less than 6.0 and the polyvinyl sulfonate has a molecular weight of from about 9,000 to about 30,000.