Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tail gas stream by contacting with ZnO producing ZnS which is regenerated to ZnO by dilute O.sub.2. Following regeneration, fresh regenerated ZnO in one ZnO absorber is purged with an effective reducting gas stream producing SO.sub.2 emissions while another ZnO absorber is downstream operating under effective absorption conditions for removing thus produced SO.sub.2 from the first ZnO absorber effluent.

Abstract: Oxygen enriched gas to Claus furnace or catalytic reactor is diluted with a process derived dilute H.sub.2 S or SO.sub.2 stream to prevent excessie temperature rise due to use of the oxygen enriched gas.

Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tailgas stream by contacting with ZnO producing ZnS which is regenerated to ZnO by dilute O.sub.2. Following regeneration, freshly regenerated ZnO is purged with an effective reducing gas stream.

Abstract: A method for selectively placing and removing a plugging agent in a formation adjacent a wellbore comprising preheating the wellbore, heating and injecting the plugging agent at a temperature higher than its melting point, shutting in the well to allow the plugging agent in the formation to cool and solidify, reheating the formation adjacent the wellbore, and swabbing back the liquidified plugging agent from the low permeability zones adjacent the wellbore. The expected benefit is reduction of permeability in the high permeability zones without a corresponding loss of permeability in the low permeability zones. The method provides better vertical sweep and improved recovery.

Abstract: Oxygen feed to a Claus plant is controlled by calibrating a hydrocarbon-representative response signal, but not a hydrogen sulfide representative response signal, responsive to the ratio of hydrogen sulfide:sulfur dioxide in effluent from the Claus plant.

Abstract: Oxygen enriched gas to Claus furnace or catalytic reactor is diluted with a process derived dilute H.sub.2 S or SO.sub.2 stream to prevent excessive temperature rise due to use of the oxygen enriched gas.

Abstract: Sulfur species are removed from a Claus plant tail gas stream by contacting with zinc oxide in the presence of sufficient reducing equivalents for conversion of sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. In another aspect, sulfur compounds are converted to hydrogen sulfide prior to contacting with zinc oxide.

Abstract: A new functional parameter reprsentative of the geometrical distribution of matrix material and the variable geometrical distribution of hydrocarbon and water in pore spaces in a porous earth formation is determined and is used to evaluate, or to determine, water saturation of the formation from dielectric permittivity measurements.

Abstract: Regeneration of sulfided metal oxide absorbent in an absorber is conducted using as diluent for oxygen a portion of Claus plant gas-in-process withdrawn upstream of the absorber. The result is a reduction in the size of the absorber and/or a reduction in the rate of return of regeneration effluent to a Claus plant during regeneration of such absorbent.

Abstract: A reservoir is produced by injecting a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen produced by treatment of a Claus plant gaseous effluent stream into the reservoir to enhance production.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the minimum miscibility pressure of a three (3) or more component fluid system consisting of an in-place fluid and an injected fluid, such as a mixture of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and another gas, such as CO.sub.2 or nitrogen. For a given pressure, the concentration of the first fluid is varied until a multiphase fluid state is indicated. The coexisting equilibrium phase compositions are calculated to determine a tieline which is translated geometrically retaining the direction of its slope to estimate a new tieline which attempts to be coincident with the second fluid's composition. The method above is repeated utilizing an increased pressure if the new tieline is coincident with a second fluid's composition and utilizing a decreased pressure if a coincident tieline does not exist, until a boundary pressure is achieved which represents the minimum miscibility pressure.

Abstract: A novel gas processing method is disclosed which is useful in separating and recovering carbon dioxide from gas streams having a high carbon dioxide content (e.g., 85-95 mol percent) and a low hydrocarbon/nitrogen content. The method is particularly useful in processing gas streams produced during carbon dioxide flooding operations for enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A system and method of use thereof are disclosed for recovering sulfur from a feed gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide which is combusted with an oxygen-enriched gas in a Claus reaction furnace. Within the method, combustion effluent from a waste heat boiler associated with the Claus reaction furnace is divided into a first and second stream so that the sulfur in the first stream is condensed and then the stream is passed on to later Claus reaction stages, and the sulfur in the second stream is condensed and then this stream is introduced into the Claus reaction furnace to moderate the temperatures therein.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of hydrogen polysulfide to hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur and removal of hydrogen sulfide from said liquid sulfur comprising a multistage process in which the sulfur is supplied to a holding zone, passed to a treatment zone where it is given multiple contact with a solid catalyst adapted to convert hydrogen polysulfide to hydrogen sulfide and removed from a third zone after treatment for hydrogen sulfide removal.Apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed and described.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to measuring the delivery rate of a positive displacement pump comprising at least one piston (3) driven with reciprocating movement in a chamber (2), which chamber is connected to an inlet circuit (4) via an inlet valve (5) and to an outlet circuit (6) via a delivery valve (7). The number of cycles performed by the pump in unit time are counted, and simultaneously its volumetric efficiency is measured, thereby enabling its real delivery rate to be deduced. Its volumetric efficiency may be measured by means of position sensors (17, 18) detecting the closure and opening instants of the delivery valve, with another sensor determining the instants at which the piston (3) passes through its end positions.

Abstract: A novel buffered gelling/foaming agent and resulting gelled aqueous inorganic acid solution involving a N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) fatty amine acetic acid salt (e.g., N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) tallow ammonium acetate); alkali metal acetate; and acetic acid buffered system. The buffered gelling/foaming agent compositions exhibit pragmatic advantages in preparation, handling and use particularly at low temperatures because of low pour points (e.g., 5.degree.-10.degree. F.). Furthermore, the buffered gelling agent more efficiently utilizes the active ingredients in terms of desired viscosity rise as a function of concentration. The resulting gelled aqueous inorganic acid solutions using the buffered gelling agent exhibit a novel viscosity rise and calcium ion viscosity contribution as the concentrated acid is partially spent (i.e., approaches 12%), yet the totally spent acid returns to a nominal viscosity and is a foaming medium.

Abstract: Novel cementitious and non-cementitious ferrofluids are disclosed which have properties making them suitable for use in cementing wells. The cementitious fluids comprise: (a) a hydraulic cement, (b) finely divided magnetic particles, (c) a bonding agent or a surfactant, and (d) a liquid medium. The binding agent or surfactant is present in the compositions in an amount sufficient to render the compositions stable in a magnetic field. When used in cementing wells, the cementitious ferrofluids are implaced in the annulus separating a casing from the formation in a wellbore by conventional techniques and the slurry is subsequently subjected to an activating magnetic field that causes movement of the magnetic particles in the slurry. The non-cementitious ferrofluids comprise: (a) finely divided magnetic particles, (b) stabilizing agent, and (c) a liquid medium.

Abstract: Novel aqueous crosslinked gels are described herein which are useful for fracturing subterranean formations. The novel gels are comprised of a solvatable polysaccharide and a soluble zirconium crosslinking agent. The zirconium crosslinking agents are novel and are prepared by reacting a zirconium alkoxide with certain alkanolamines under anhydrous conditions. The zirconium compounds are activated by contact with water. As an example, a zirconium crosslinker was prepared by reacting zirconium tetra(n-propoxide) with triethanolamine in an n-propanol solvent under anhydrous conditions. The zirconium compound thus prepared was activated with water and used to form a stable aqueous crosslinked gel by blending the aqueous crosslinker into an aqueous hydroxypropylguar solution.

Abstract: A method for improving the injectivity of water injection wells in those formations with a low permeability to water as compared to the formation's absolute permeability by the removal of residual oil from the formation pore spaces in the near injection wellbore area through the injection of an aqueous fluid containing an effective amount of surface-active agent. The surface-active agent has the general formulaRO(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b YXwhere:R is an alkyl group containing about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms or an alkyl phenol where the alkyl portion of the alkyl phenol contains from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof;a has an average value of between 0 and about 10;b has an average value of between about 1 and about 10;Y is a sulfate or sulfonate group; andX is a cation, preferably monovalent.

Abstract: A frangible pressure relief disc assembly is disclosed which is adapted to fit into a positive displacement pump on the suction side of each cylinder. The disc assembly provides a pressure relief when the fluid passing through the pump encounters a closed valve or other obstruction in the line. The disc assembly comprises: (a) a support member having a first side and a second side which is penetrated by a passage (e.g., a bore ) providing fluid communication from the first side to the second side, and (b) a pressure frangible disc fixedly attached to the support member and positioned to form a fluid-tight seal covering the passage.