Abstract: A process for recovering oil from a heterogeneous subterranean reservoir having strata of widely varying permeability by injecting therein via a well a slug of a micellar solution followed by an aqeuous drive fluid wherein, at some time prior to the injection to all of the slug of the micellar solution, there is injected into the reservoir one or more aqueous solutions of reagents that react in the reservoir to form a plugging material, one of which reagents contains a polyvalent cation. After the plugging material has formed, the well is produced to remove from the reservoir the unreacted reagent containing a polyvalent cation which polyvalent cation would otherwise react with and reduce the efficiency of the subsequently injected micellar solution.

Abstract: Highly active hydrofining catalysts are prepared by ion exchanging a silica-alumina hydrogel with an ammoniacal solution of a cobalt and/or nickel compound, and thereafter compositing the undried product with an alumina hydrogel and a molybdenum component, followed by drying and calcining. The resulting catalysts are particularly active for the denitrogenation of mineral oil feedstocks.

Abstract: Siliceous zeolite catalysts comprising zeolitic mono- and/or divalent metal cations and a non-zeolitic Group VIII noble metal hydrogenating component supported thereon, which catalysts have undergone damage by thermal and/or hydrothermal stresses resulting in a maldistribution of the metal components, are rejuvenated in activity by treatment with an aqueous ammonia solution. The treatment has a twofold effect of exchanging out at least a portion of the zeolitic mono- and/or divalent metal ions, and bringing about a desirable redistribution of the Group VIII noble metal.

Abstract: Homogeneous solid fusions of particulate mineral nutrients in a continuous rhombic sulfur matrix containing at least about 50 weight percent sulfur are disclosed. These materials are obtained by dispersing throughout a sulfur melt at a temperature of 120.degree. to about 400.degree. C. a nutrient-hydrocarbon comixture containing sufficient hydrocarbon to thoroughly wet all surfaces of the mineral nutrient, preferably sufficient to form a suspension of the nutrient in the hydrocarbon, followed by cooling to form the solid fusion. These materials have particular utility in agronomic applications as soil supplements for supplying both sulfur (as sulfate) and mineral nutrients at a continuous, regulated rate from inexpensive raw materials.

Abstract: Electricity is generated during the injection of a dense fluid through an injection well and into a subterranean formation having a connate fluid pressure less than the available downhole pressure of injection fluid in the injection well. A fluid engine/generator is positioned in the well to define upper and lower zones in the well; a level of dense fluid is established in the upper zone; and dense fluid is flowed from the upper zone through the fluid engine/generator and into the subterranean formation to thereby generate electricity, which is subsequently recovered. Control of the downhole fluid pressure is also achieved.

Abstract: A method for producing mechanical energy from geothermal brine in which a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is heated by direct contact with the hot geothermal brine in cocurrent flow through a series of flash stages which are maintained at successively lower pressures so that the HTF is vaporized in each stage. A working fluid is countercurrently flowed through the series of flash stages in indirect heat exchange with the vapor produced in each stage so that the vapor is condensed in each stage and the working fluid is progressively heated as it passes through the series of flash stages. The heated working fluid is utilized in a heat engine for the production of mechanical energy.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing nozzle for discharging gasoline into receiving vessels and for removing vapors therefrom through a vapor removal line is provided with an automatic shut-off device that terminates the delivery of gasoline in the event liquid gasoline flows into said vapor removal line. The shut-off device comprises a sensing orifice disposed at the end of a flexibly mounted tube within said vapor removal line, which tube leads to a passageway extending into the housing of said gasoline nozzle and terminating in a chamber that contains a conventional, diaphragm-operated, trigger mechanism for closing the main nozzle valve. In operation, no matter which way the nozzle is inserted into a gasoline tank fill pipe, the sensing orifice, by gravity, will fall into a position such that, if gasoline flows into said vapor removal line, it must also flood the sensing orifice.

Abstract: Arsenic containing fuel compositions are disclosed that will, upon combination, leave an ash that retains substantial proportions of said arsenic, thereby reducing its dissemination into the atmosphere. This result is obtained by adding to the fuel small amounts of a Mg, Ba, Zn, or Ni component. Also disclosed are certain fuel compositions containing both Mg and Zn additives that produce an ash containing arsenic in an essentially insoluble form.

Abstract: A composition and method for providing improved mobility control in secondary and tertiary recovery processes obtained by injecting into a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation, as part of the secondary or tertiary recovery fluid, an aqueous solution of a mixture of a heteropolysaccharide produced by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas together with a polyacrylamide or a chemically altered derivative of a polyacrylamide.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering metal values and salts from brine, such as brine produced from a subterranean geothermal reservoir, in which the brine is pressurized to above the bubble point pressure and thereafter a precipitating agent, such as a soluble sulfide, is added to the brine to form insoluble metal sulfide precipitates. The precipitates are separated from the brine while maintaining the brine at a pressure above the bubble point pressure, and the hot brine is subsequently utilized to derive energy therefrom. The brine effluent after such energy derivation and the precipitate are optionally processed to primarily recover saleable salts and metal values, respectively.

Abstract: The concentration of arsenic in shale oil produced from retorting arsenic-containing oil shale in a conventional retorting kiln is reduced by blending with said oil shale a nickel-containing additive. During retorting, the amount of arsenic released in vaporous form from the oil shale is reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of arsenic which collects with the produced liquid shale oil. Thus, a shale oil is produced having a significantly lower arsenic content than is obtainable without the use of the nickel additive.

Abstract: The process for absorbing hydrogen sulfide from hydrogenated or hydrolyzed Claus process gas by contacting said gas and an alkaline aqueous solution containing dissolved oxidation-reduction components in at least a primary and a final gas-liquid scrubber stage to effect the absorption of the hydrogen sulfide from the gas. The hydrogen sulfide is subsequently oxidized to elemental sulfur in the washing solution. The fresh washing solution is first introduced to the final stage for contact with gas of reduced hydrogen sulfide content from the prior stages to effect the transfer of dissolved and entrained oxygen from the washing solution to the gas. The thus treated washing solution is then passed to at least the primary scrubber stage for contact with incoming hydrogen sulfide rich gas under conditions which avoid a high rate of thiosulfate and sulfate formation due to the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Catalysts having a high degree of thermal stability, comprising alumina and one or more of the iron group metals are prepared from aqueous solutions containing a dissolved aluminum salt, a salt of at least one of the iron group metals and a delayed precipitant such as urea. The solution is heated to a temperature sufficient to hydrolyze the delayed precipitant with resultant liberation of ammonia and carbon dioxide homogeneously throughout the solution, until the pH of the solution rises sufficiently to effect coprecipitation of the metal salts as hydroxides and/or carbonates. The resulting coprecipitate is then recovered, washed, dried, shaped and calcined in conventional fashion to obtain a final product which, after hydrogen-reduction is very active, and displays much greater thermal stability than corresponding prior art catalysts prepared by non-homogeneous coprecipitation with alkaline, ionic reagents such as sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, or ammonium carbonate.

Abstract: A feed gas containing one or more components selected from the class consisting of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, SO.sub.3, COS, CS.sub.2, light mercaptans, and sulfur vapor is desulfurized by (a) hydrogenating and hydrolyzing essentially all non-H.sub.2 S sulfur components to H.sub.2 S, (b) oxidizing most of the H.sub.2 S in the resulting product gas to sulfur, and removing the latter by condensation, (c) oxidizing the residual H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2, (d) absorbing essentially all the SO.sub.2 in an aqueous ammonia solution, (e) passing a portion of the SO.sub.2 -containing ammonia solution to step (a), and (f) discharging from step (d) a purified product gas essentially free of sulfur components.A feed gas, such as a stack gas, which contains only SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.3 components to be removed therefrom, may be treated in alternative embodiments of the invention involving the passage of all or a major proportion of the feed gas directly to absorption step (d).

Abstract: A method for conducting foam drilling and workover oprations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean reservoir employing an aqueous solution of a biodegradable foaming agent composition containing about 0.1 to 1 part by weight of an N-fatty ethyl sulfate salt having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and M is an alkali metal or ammonium cation, per part per weight of a fatty acid salt having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms and M.sub.1 is an alkali metal or ammonium cation. A particularly preferred foaming agent composition contains sodium 2-(N-lauryl) ethyl sulfate and sodium laurate.

Abstract: A process for removing vanadium and nickel deactivants from contaminated hydrodesulfurization catalysts comprising Group VIB and/or VIII active components on refractory oxide supports comprising contacting said catalysts with an aqueous solution of (1) oxalic acid and (2) at least one inorganic component selected from the class consisting of nitric acid and water-soluble nitrate salts.The removal of vanadium and nickel contaminants from the surface of a deactivated catalyst by the process of the invention substantially rejuvenates the catalyst for hydrodesulfurization purposes, provided such removal is accomplished prior to burning off any coke that may also be present on said catalysts.

Abstract: A method for conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean reservoir employing an aqueous solution of a biodegradable foaming agent composition containing about 0.3 to 3 parts by weight of an N-fatty ethyl sulfonic acid salt having the formula: ##STR1## per part by weight of an N-fatty propionic acid salt having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R and R.sub.1 are straight chain alkyl radicals having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, and M and M.sub.1 are alkali metal or ammonium cations. A particularly preferred foaming agent composition contains sodium 2-(N-lauryl) ethyl sulfonic acid and sodium 2-(N-lauryl) propionic acid.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon conversion methods employing unique catalyst compositions exhibiting improved conversion characteristics particularly as regards denitrogenation and/or cracking selectivity to predetermined boiling range products involve the use of a catalytic combination of zeolitic aluminosilicates, alumina, and at least one of the metals, oxides and sulfides of Periodic Groups VI and VIII, prepared by the method including the steps of thermally activating at least a major portion of the alumina at a temperature of at least about 600.degree. F prior to combination with both the aluminosilicate and the hydrogenation component, forming an aggregate from an intimate admixture of the alumina, aluminosilicate and hydrogenation component and thermally activating the resultant aggregate. Midbarrel hydrocracking processes of higher selectivity and superior denitrogenation methods are described.

Abstract: A method for drilling a well through a subterranean formation containing one or more zones of unconsolidated dolomite, wherein the drilling operation is interrupted periodically to consolidate the newly drilled incompetent dolomite by the injection of a sequence of reactant slugs comprised of (I) an aqueous solution containing an acid, a surface active agent and a precipitating agent for silicates, (II) an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble silicate, and (III) an aqueous solution containing a precipitating agent for silicates.

Abstract: Certain hydrocarbon conversion catalysts comprising a Group VIII noble metal in an oxidized state, dispersed on a crystalline hydrogen zeolite, e.g. Y zeolite, are found to suffer a drastic loss in activity upon exposure to nitrogen at elevated temperature. It is now found that this damage can be substantially completely reversed by subjecting the catalyst to oxidation with an oxygen-containing gas.