Abstract: The method for forming a stable emulsion of a viscous crude hydrocarbon in an aqueous buffer solution, includes the steps of: providing a viscous crude hydrocarbon containing an inactive natural surfactant and having a salt content by weight of less than or equal to about 1.0% and having a total acid number of greater than or equal to about 1, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5; forming a solution of a buffer additive in an aqueous solution to provide a basic aqueous buffer solution, the buffer additive being operative to extract and activate the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous crude hydrocarbon; and mixing the viscous crude hydrocarbon with the aqueous buffer solution at a rate sufficient to provide an emulsion of the viscous crude hydrocarbon in the aqueous buffer solution, whereby the buffer additive extracts the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous crude hydrocarbon and activates the inactive natural surfactant so as to stabilize the emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a container for dispensing fluids in metered amounts and, more particularly, a container for dispensing motor oil for lubricating the engine of a vehicle. The container comprises a housing defining space within which a wall is mounted for dividing the space into first and second compartments. A valve actuator stem is mounted in the first compartments and is selectively moveable from a first position through a second position to a third position and back again for selectively operating a fluid inlet valve and gas inlet and outlet valves. A second actuator is associated with the second compartment defined within the space of the housing. The second valve actuator is moveable between a first and a second position for opening and closing a fluid outlet valve. A linkage is provided for interconnecting the valve actuators.

Abstract: A system and a process are disclosed for the quantitative characterization of organic matter concentrates and of petrographic thin sections or polished fragments of rocks found in oil reservoir samples. The system includes a video camera for capturing images from a microscope or a series of photographs. An electronic digitizer for digitizing and storing the images, and a microprocessor for performing digital image processing operations. Morphological data such as area, perimeter, width, length, and orientation of particles are obtained from the digital representation of the particles by means of algorithms based on the principles of connectivity and the theory of moments. The process permits the automation of quantitative sedimentological and palynological analyses and the stastistical characterization of the samples based on widely-used geological parameters derived from the morphological data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for continuously monitoring and calculating the flow rate of a fluid medium in a flow line. The system includes a camera for viewing and capturing an image of a chart having different colored trace lines representing manometric pressure upstream of an orifice in a plate in the flow line and differential pressure across the orifice plate, a color filter for creating a modified image of the chart, an electronic digitizer for digitizing the images, and a microprocessor for determining the fluid flow rate from the captured and/or modified images. The system also includes monitors for displaying any of the iamges and manually operated devices for editing the images and for providing the microprocessor with instructions.

Abstract: A blowout preventer for use in combination with a deep well pump during steam injection, comprises a hollow cylindrical nipple having a top and bottom surface and a through cylindrical bore of diameter D.sub.1. A cylindrical mandrel is partially received in the cylindrical bore provided in the nipple. The cylindrical mandrel has a first diameter portion of diameter D.sub.2, a second diameter portion of diameter D.sub.3 and a third diameter portion of diameter D.sub.4 wherein D.sub.2 >D.sub.1 >D.sub.3 >D.sub.4 such that the first diameter portion abuts the bottom surface of the nipple upon an excess in well head pressure so as to prohibit blowout. An elastically deformable seal is carried on the third diameter portion of the mandrel for sealing the mandrel within the cylindrical bore of the hollow cylindrical nipple, in order to prevent steam leakage during the steam injection process.