Abstract: An electrode well is described which utilizes a hydraulic fracture filled with conductive proppant as an electrode of extended contact with a formation. A highly conductive section of cement liner around the casing delivers current to the proppant particles.

Abstract: Exhaust gas is recirculated from the exhaust stack of a gas fired turbine to the air inlet along a constantly-open path to prevent inlet freeze-up. When anti-icing is not needed the exhaust stack is fully opened, creating a partial vacuum in the exhaust stack. At the turbine inlet the recirculation line, is opened to atmosphere. The resultant pressure differential between the opposite ends of the recirculation line creates a driving force for positively purging the recirculation line of unwanted residual exhaust gases. This in turn eliminates a source of unwanted moisture which could otherwise condense, freeze and interfere with turbine operations.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of spent drilling mud and/or produced water is diluted prior to free discharge into a body of receiving water by expelling a jet stream of such slurry into an open-ended submerged mixing conduit. The jet stream aspirates and entrains the surrounding water within the conduit and is then passed through a mixer stage prior to exiting the opposite end of the tube.

Abstract: A bottomhole method and apparatus for drilling a curved borehole in the earth from a main bore to a lateral drainhole. The apparatus comprises a drill bit followed by a generally cone-shaped combination reamer and stabilizer tool extending to a knuckle joint, wherein the shape of the sidewall of the tool matches the shape of the curved borehole from the forward edge of the tool back to the knuckle joint. In operation, when the apparatus is deflected from the main bore, the drill bit is directed toward the top side of the borehole so as to drill a curved path. At the same time, stabilizing surface-to-surface contact is maintained between the curved sidewall of the reamer and the bottom side of the borehole, thus minimizing any tendency of the drill bit to deflect from the prescribed course and vary the prescribed angle of build.

Abstract: In taking dial indicator readings as a part of the so-called "reverse indicator" shaft alignment procedure for a turbine-to-compressor drive, the high breakaway torque necessary to initiate rotation of the turbine shaft is supplied by connecting such shaft to power drive means through a power chain. In this manner the turbine shaft may be quickly rotated in small, precisely controllable increments without overshoot, thus saving valuable time otherwise wasted in performing this function manually. Tapered, hollow alignment brackets minimize "bracket sag".

Abstract: A receiver array for detecting seismic reflections is composed of geophones of several different natural frequencies divided into subarrays having lengths compatible with the natural frequencies of their geophones and the seismic wavelengths at the recording site. This system provides both frequency and spatial filtering at the sensors so as to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of broad-band seismic signals.

Abstract: A movable inner cylindrical valve member is rigidly attached to the upper end of an air powered impact projectile designed for striking a target to produce an acoustic pulse. By seating upwardly within the bore of a fixed outer valve member against spaced apart tapered valve faces, the cylindrical wall of the inner valve member covers intermediate air pressure ports in the bore wall. In operation, the axial separating movement between the inner and outer valve members will instantly admit air pressure adjacent the closed end of the bore of the outer valve member in order to exert an accelerating force to drive the projectile. At the same time, the operation of this valve can be made essentially pressure independent by proper selection and placement of the annular seals which contact the valve faces.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an acoustic pulse in a medium wherein an impact piston is driven downwardly along a cylindrical housing by compressed gas to strike a rigid target positioned in contact with the earth. In its firing position, the tapered upper portion of the piston extends above the top of the housing within a container occupied by the compressed gas, the top of the piston being at the same time recessed within a gastight mating enclosure at the top of the container. In this position, the tapered piston surface is constantly exposed to circumferential gas pressure so as to provide a positive breakaway force. Upon release of suitable piston latch means, the piston is first urged downwardly by this breakaway force and thereafter accelerated more powerfully when the top of the piston separates from the enclosure and becomes exposed to gas flow uniformly from all directions.

Abstract: Any desired number of alternate parallel rows of injection and production well bores are positioned to establish a block gasification pattern. Combustion links are established between adjacent injection and production well bores in a direction generally perpendicular to said rows. The block pattern is ignited simultaneously through all of the injection well bores such that the pattern is gasified along the multiple linking paths in both directions between each injection well bore and its adjacent production well bores. In this manner the entire area of deposit defined by the block pattern is gasified simultaneously and may be separated from other similar block patterns by a barrier, thereby eliminating the problem of direct contact with burned-out areas.

Abstract: A row of injection wells is widely separated from a parallel row of production wells by a plurality of rows of intermediate uncased column wells by means of which combustion links are established between the respective injection and production wells perpendicular to such rows. The pattern is ignited through a row of intermediate wells in order to prevent combustion from occurring directly beneath the injection wells. Means are also provided for shutting down the operation before the burn front reaches the production wells. In this manner, the danger of subsidence at both injection and production wells during operations is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A method and system for desalination of water by so called membrane distillation, wherein saline water is evaporated through the pores of a membrane whose proper operation requires that it not be wetted by either the distilland or distillate. Therefore, liquid intrusion into the pores of the membrane through which the distillate passes must be prevented by the surface tension of the liquid. Surfactants normally found in the saline feed water which have been found to cause liquid intrusion into the pores of the membrane are removed immediately prior to the distillation step by physical or chemical means such as adsorption by activated charcoal.

Abstract: A borehole tool incorporates an ultrasonic flow measuring device which enables calculation of the rate of flow of material through various perforated intervals of a well casing as a function of depth. Fluid flow rate is proportional to the difference in travel time of a pulse-type ultrasonic signal over a fixed distance in opposite directions through the fluid.

Abstract: Processes are described for coating a particulate silver material such as sand or diatomaceous earth with metallic silver for sterilizing water and the like, the objective being to produce a highly adherent, thin layer of silver on the diatom surfaces. One method comprises mixing the filter particles with a silver compound in solution, then reducing the silver to elemental form on the particle surfaces by chemical, optical, or gaseous means with or without the addition of heat. Another method comprises sputtering elemental silver on to the diatom particle surfaces in a partial vacuum or inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A transportable, acoustic pulse generator is described employing an impact mass suspended above a freely movable target plate positionable on the ground, the impact mass being forceably propelled downwardly to strike the target plate to generate an acoustic pulse adapted for seismic purposes. The generator housing is adapted to be mounted on the rearwardly extending rails of a conventional transport truck. In order to eliminate bouncing of the truck due to generator housing recoil on firing, the housing itself is jacked up by lift cylinders extending upward from the target plate so as to minimize or eliminate the spring suspension of the truck. Upstanding sleeve guides carried on the generator housing cooperate with the lift means to provide lateral stability and to establish a precise vertical separation between the impact mass and the target plate, thus insuring repeatable signal energy content and timing.

Abstract: In order to determine subsurface subsidence, the incremental movement of a radioactive source buried in a formation of interest is monitored by means of a gamma detector carried in a sonde on a downhole cable or tubing. The sonde is lowered to the vicinity of the buried source in either a cased or uncased borehole. A reversing motor within the sonde moves the detector up and down so that it continuously and automatically scans the formation in the vicinity of the source. The data transmitted to the surface enables detection of very small changes in the elastic properties of formation rocks, thereby permitting early warning of significant subsidents.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus is described for inclusion in a waste water treatment system intermediate a surge tank and a first active processing stage such as a biological treatment tank employing a trickling filter. The apparatus consists of a form of "head box" which smooths out the variations in the output of the surge tank. The apparatus consists basically of one tank enclosed within another. Water from the surge tank fills the inner tank and spills over its flat rim to form an efficient head control weir. The inner tank is provided with a submerged orifice which acts as a flow control weir discharging freely into the air space above the free water surface of the succeeding processing stage. The top of the outer tank is closed and sealed to isolate the intense air pressure, which is vented through the inner tank to the air in the succeeding stage. This insures that no differential pressure exists between these two internal air spaces and that no contamination of the external environment occurs.

Abstract: Oxygen and propane are supplied to the combustion chamber of a marine seismic gas exploder from a pair of pressure regulated gas charging cylinders. Ignition of the resultant explosive gas mixture drives a piston connected with means for creating an acoustic disturbance in the water. The outputs from the charging cylinders are fed simultaneously to a mixing manifold connected to a large orifice communicating with the combustion chamber.The ratio of gases in the resultant mixture is automatically determined by the relative volumes and pressures of the charging cylinders, which may be precisely regulated by adjustment of pistons movable within such cylinders and by gas pressure regulation. To safeguard against too rapid voiding of a small volume charging cylinder, voiding of the larger volume cylinder may be initiated first with the aid of a choke downstream of the manifold. This will create an artificial back pressure in the distribution system.

Abstract: A solar cell array consisting of individually rotatable elongated segments is flexibly supported beneath a translucent panel in the exterior roof of a building. A thermal solar collector is supported beneath the solar cell array for maximum utilization of the solar energy received through the roof opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for coupling the horizontally-directed force of a seismic transducer into the earth as a downward going shear wave. The coupling means consists of a plurality of downwardly convergent wedge-shaped earth-engaging cleats mounted on the transducer support means. The cleats differ from each other as to depth and sharpness, the sharper cleats being the deeper ones, so that they contact the earth's surface prior to the blunter ones and penetrate hard surfaces more readily. The blunter cleats, on the other hand, slow the rate of penetration in softer materials and thus prevent bottoming out. The cleats are configured so that the total edge length of the sharper cleats is less than that of the blunter ones, further insuring a high vertical loading on initial contact with hard surfaces. This construction permits efficient coupling into the earth of the horizontal force of a vibrator in soils and other earth materials varying widely in competency while minimizing bottoming out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for coupling the horizontally directed force of a seismic transducer into the earth with a downward-going shear wave. The coupling means consists of a plurality of downwardly-convergent, wedge-shaped, earth-engaging cleats dependently attached to the transducer support means, at least some of the cleats being provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting teeth, which may be mounted on or form a part of field replaceable cleat inserts. Extremely high unit pressures are developed on these teeth due to the hold down weight of the transducer. As a result, good earth penetration is achieved immediately on even very hard rock surfaces. The alignment of the teeth is such as to encourage the development of rock flaws or cracks oriented to accommodate the entry of the supporting cleats.