Abstract: Methods for cleaning industrial tanks are disclosed in which a fast temporary seal is applied to a manway entry into a tank to be cleaned. A robotic tank cleaning system is introduced through the temporary seal into the tank. The tank interior is sprayed with diluent to remove liquid and solid volatile organic compound (VOC) generating residue. VOC's are removed from the tank by repetitive diesel and water/surfactant fogging until a safe, legal level of VOC's remains in the tank atmosphere.

Abstract: An isokinetic sampling method has been discovered for use in a pipeline carrying a three phase mixture of petroleum, water and gas. The method is used in combination with a fluid fraction measuring means capable of measuring physical characteristics indicative of fluid fraction. A statistically significant number of samples is analyzed over the range of sampler flow rate. The sampling flow rate is reset to correspond with the flow rate of the maximum standard deviation sample. As a result, samples most representative of the pipeline fluid fraction are withdrawn.

Abstract: Changes in the internal diameter of a fluid handling pipes are measured by measuring the vibrational characteristics by a non-invasive, passive acoustic technique. Deviations from the normal vibrational characteristics are sensed and used to determine changes of increase or decrease in the pipe's internal diameter.

Abstract: A cleaning system capable of passing through a manway entry point into a storage tank to be cleaned is disclosed. A remotely controllable robotic cannon for spraying diluent or water is provided which has a light source and CCTV camera axially mounted on the cannon nozzle assembly. Mounting systems permit sidewall or overhead deployment of the system as desired. Operators situated remotely can view and control the cleaning system via TV monitors.

Abstract: A packaging system is disclosed for use in storing and conveniently and sterilely activating a useful microbial system in a culture medium. The system includes a conveniently sized bottle of sterile culture broth in a bottle capped with a conventional screw on cap. A second storage cap is provided having an elastomeric o-ring seal at its top and an impermeable sealing disc across the o-ring seal. The space inside the o-ring seal between the sealing disc and the top of the cap contains the lyophilized microorganism inoculant. Removal of the sealing disc and replacement of the first cap with the second cap on the bottle of culture broth then, upon inversion, inoculates the culture broth.

Abstract: A system for separating multiphase fluid flow having a separator which allows the gaseous phase to separate from the oil and water phases. The separator includes a vertical component, through which the multiphase fluid rises with the fluid phases becoming annular to separate from the gaseous phase and flow to the base of the separator.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for evaluating wet cutting from a well borehole to determine the hydrocarbon content of the earth formations penetrated by the well borehole. The wet cuttings to be measured are mixed with a polar hydrocarbon solvent which has both hydrophilic and hydrophilic properties. The solution of the solvent and cutting is filtered and then its emission (fluorescence) spectrum is measured by irradiating it with ultraviolet radiation excitation at wavelengths at which most petroleum compounds fluoresce. The hydrocarbon content of the sample wet cuttings is then determined by comparing its fluorescence emission to the emission fluorescence of known samples.

Abstract: Radioactive contamination on tubing is detected as the tubing is withdrawn from a wellbore. The tubing is moved past a detector located on the wellhead, preferably through an annular shaped detector, and means responsive to the detected level of radiation exceeding predetermined limits activate both an alarm to gain the operator's attention and means to apply indicia to the contaminated tubing.

Abstract: A low cost zonal isolation technique for use in open hole well completions and workovers is disclosed. A production liner, tubing string, casing string or coiled tubing is provided with spaced apart pairs of sealing means having at least one hole drilled through the liner between each pair. The liner or other tubular is run in and placed across the production interval. Cement, resin or polymer gel is pumped into the annular between the liner and borehole wall through each of the holes between the liner and borehole wall through each of the holes between pairs of seals and allowed to harden or set up. The bore of the production liner is then drilled out and the production interval completed for well production or workovers, as desired.

Abstract: A method for determining a stopped flow condition in a fluid fraction measuring apparatus includes the steps of establishing a minimum threshold level of statistical variation in the measured parameter repetitively (continuously) monitored by the measuring apparatus, and giving an indication when the standard deviation, statistical average, or the kurtosis of the measured parameter or characteristic drops to the threshold level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the quantitative measurement and detection of gas entrapped in drilling fluid during a drilling operation are disclosed. A sealed gas sampler is provided for agitating the mud to evolve gas samples. A known quantity of a standard gas is injected into the evolved gas stream. By monitoring the quantitative amount of the standard gas measured, the samples of evolved gas may be corrected for various error sources such as gas saturation of the sample stream.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a solids to liquids ratio in a flowing petroleum stream having an immiscible solids, oil and water flow. Microwave energy in the 10-12 Gigahertz bond is directed through the petroleum stream and attenuated transmitted and reflected microwave energy are detected. The detected microwave energy is compared to an empirically derived map of attenuated amplitude vs. phase for a set of reference petroleum streams having known solid, oil and water contents to derive a solids to liquids ratio for the unknown stream.

Abstract: A system for cleaning large storage tanks having a relatively small access opening is disclosed. An insertion chamber housing a dual tracked collapsible robotically operated vehicle is attached to a side entry port of the tank. The dual tracked vehicle is hydraulically powered up and enters the tank, whereupon it expands into its open operating condition. The dual tracked vehicle carries an articulatable nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid in all directions in two planes mutually perpendicular to each other inside the tank. It also carries a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) which is used by a remote operator to monitor its position and to control its movements.

Abstract: A system for cleaning storage tanks is disclosed having a remotely controlled collapsibile tracked robotic tank entry vehicle, a closed circuit television system for observation including controllable light sources and an articulatible nozzle, also remotely controllable. The nozzle is capable of rotation fully 360 degrees in each of two planes perpendicular to each other under hydraulic control fully independent of its source of cleaning fluid for delivery to the tank.

Abstract: Liquid cultures of bacteria of the genus XENORHABDOUS strains NEMATOPHILUS Im/1 and 19061/1 made up on LB broth and cultured for up to 24 hours and applied directly to mounds of the imported fire ant SOLENOPSIS INVICTA have been found effective in killing the pest. The liquid cultures are applied in a density of about 1.times.10.sup.7 bacteria per ml by either low pressure spray, high pressure spray or pouring directly on the mounds.

Abstract: A pressure balanced cable junction or termination box is provided for subsea use. A fluid tight hollow body member is filled with insulating fluid. A-cable to be terminated enters one side of the cable termination device and is coupled to the box. A compressible fluid reservoir in contact with the external water pressure on one side transmits the pressure to the filling insulating fluid on the other side to provide pressure balancing.

Abstract: Methods for grinding hot coke including feeding the hot coke into a system while maintaining the system under less than atmospheric pressure, wetting the coke during the feeding step to assure constant flow of the coke into a grinding mill where the coke is reduced to a slurry and forwarded to a holding tank. Recovering and treating vapors derived from the grinding of the coke and finally feeding the slurry to a gasifier means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning storage containers used in petrochemical or oil refineries. A remotely controllable dual tracked robotic vehicle is placed in a container to be cleaned. A cleaning fluid diluent material is directed against waste material in the container causing a portion of it to form a slurry which is vacuumed out by a nozzle and hose carried by the vehicle. A separator system exterior to the tank processes the removed slurry.

Abstract: Apparatus which determines the water cut of a sample petroleum stream irradiates the sample stream at two different locations with microwave energy. The distance that the microwave energies pass through the sample stream are also different. A receiver receives the microwave energies and provides corresponding received signals. The water cut is determined in accordance with the received signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting seismic surveys from a single wellbore utilizing an array of seismic detectors and an seismic source suspended downhole from the detectors on a coiled tubing. Actuation of the airgun both generates a seismic signal penetrating the adjacent lateral geological formations and a plurality of air bubbles pass up the borehole to attenuate tube wave propagation in the borehole fluid.