Abstract: A method of breaking the viscosity of a treatment fluid comprises: adding hydrophobic nanoparticles to a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a viscoelastic surfactant gelling agent, the hydrophobic nanoparticles comprising metallic nanoparticles that are surface modified with C6-30 aliphatic groups, wherein the hydrophobic nanoparticles are added in an amount effective to decrease the viscosity of the treatment fluid as compared to a treatment fluid absent the hydrophobic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprises combining an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant gelling agent, two or more types of the following nanoparticles: an alkaline earth metal oxide; an alkaline earth metal hydroxide; a transition metal oxide; or a transition metal hydroxide to form a treatment fluid, and pumping the treatment fluid into the well, wherein the weight ratio of the two or more types of the nanoparticles is selected such that the treatment fluid has an improved fluid efficiency as compared to an otherwise identical reference fluid except for comprising only one type of the nanoparticles selected from an alkaline earth metal oxide; an alkaline earth metal hydroxide; a transition metal oxide; and a transition metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, a viscoelastic surfactant (VES), a monovalent or multivalent salt, a magnesium powder, a retarder, a weighting material, and a dispersant. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid with the VES; where the monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water. When the fluid density is greater than 14 pounds per gallon, a dispersant is required, such as a sulfonated copolymer.

Abstract: A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving bed adsorptive apparatus having at least two sieve chambers and at least two rotary valves. Each sieve chamber may be operated individually using the PowerFeed process. The flow rates of the streams to or from the individual sieve chambers may be varied during the step time in an inverse manner such that a substantially constant flow to and from the apparatus is achieved. Alternatively, the flow rates to each sieve chamber may vary during the step time according to the same profile, but the rotary valves may be off-set and step independently in a staggered manner to achieve a substantially constant flow of a stream to or from the apparatus.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring applications may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond material secured to the substrate. A first region of the polycrystalline diamond material may exhibit a first volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the first region. A second region of the polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to the first region may exhibit a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the second region. Methods of making cutting elements for earth-boring applications may involve positioning a first mixture of particles having a first volume percentage of nanoparticles and a second mixture of particles having a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles within a container.

Abstract: A method of forming a polycrystalline diamond comprises derivatizing a nanodiamond to form functional groups, and combining the derivatized nanodiamond with a microdiamond having an average particle size greater than that of the derivatized nanodiamond, and a metal solvent-catalyst. A polycrystalline diamond compact is prepared by adhering the polycrystalline diamond to a support, and an article such as a cutting tool may be prepared from the polycrystalline diamond compact.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides a “triple combination” therapy for treating, ameliorating and preventing Crohn's Disease (or Crohn syndrome, terminal or distal ileitis or regional enteritis) or related disorders and conditions in mammals, such as paratuberculosis in mammals, or Johne's disease, including genetically-predisposed and chronic disorders, where the microbial or bacterial flora of the bowel is at least one causative or symptom-producing factor; and compositions for practicing same. In alternative embodiments, methods and compositions of the invention comprise or comprise use of therapies, medications, formulations and pharmaceuticals comprising active agents that can suppress or eradicate the microbiota super-infection that causes Crohn's Disease or paratuberculosis infection in mammals.

Abstract: The stability of subterranean, laminated, carbonate-containing formations that have strongly hydrophilic-wet surfaces is improved by introducing into the formation an aqueous fluid having dispersed therein relative permeability modifiers (RPMs). The RPMs are designed to enter the fractures and gaps between the layers in the formation and alter their surface wettability to inhibit water from further entering into the shale rock, thereby improving stability.

Abstract: Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.

Abstract: A process for producing paraxylene is provided. The process includes separating a first mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in a simulated moving bed apparatus using a desorbent to produce (i) an extract comprising ?50.0 wt % of the paraxylene in the first mixture; (ii) a desorbent-rich raffinate comprising ?75 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn, and (iii) an desorbent-lean raffinate comprising ?25 wt % of the desorbent withdrawn in the desorbent-rich and desorbent-lean raffinates. The desorbent-lean raffinate can then, without an intervening separation step, be passed to a refinery process or a vapor phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-lean raffinate. The desorbent-rich raffinate can be passed to a liquid phase isomerization reaction to produce an effluent comprising paraxylene in a greater concentration than the desorbent-rich raffinate.

Abstract: Removing an asphaltene particle from a substrate includes contacting a silicate nanoparticle with a chemical group to form a functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the chemical group includes a first portion; and a second portion comprising a nonaromatic moiety, the first portion being bonded to the silicate nanoparticle; contacting the asphaltene particle with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the asphaltene particle being disposed on the substrate; interposing the functionalized silicate nanoparticle between the asphaltene particle and the substrate; and separating the asphaltene particle from the substrate with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle to remove the asphaltene particle. A composition includes a functionalized silicate nanoparticle comprising a reaction product of a silicate nanoparticle and a functionalization compound; and a fluid.

Abstract: A method for estimating, downhole, elastic properties of a subsurface material having a bedding plane includes extracting a core sample from the subsurface material into a downhole tool, the downhole tool comprising a measurement device having a first source and a first receiver opposing the first source, the first receiver configured to receive a signal from the first source, performing at least five acoustic wave velocity measurements on the core sample in situ within the downhole tool, the measurements including compressional acoustic wave velocities and shear wave acoustic velocities with certain directions of shear acoustic wave polarization using the measurement device, estimating, with a controller, elastic properties of the core sample using the at least five acoustic wave velocity measurements, and providing an output signal comprising the elastic properties to an output signal receiving device.

Abstract: A process for conducting equilibrium-limited chemical reactions that produce water as a reaction product. Specifically, a process that uses a reactive chromatography unit (RCU) to improve the efficiency of equilibrium-limited reactions, such as a process for reacting glycol ether (GE) and carboxylic acid (CA) to form water and glycol ether ester (GEE). The process includes supplying GE and CA to the RCU, where one of either the CA or the GE is in a stoichiometric deficit relative to the other reactant. The reactant in the stoichiometric deficit reacts in the presence of the catalyst in the RCU to form a mixture of GEE and water. A raffinate is separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the GEE. An extract separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the water.

Abstract: A sample array includes a substrate, a corrosion proxy coupled to the substrate, and at least one test sample coupled to the substrate. The corrosion proxy is formulated and configured to relate to corrosion of material near the sample array. The at least one test sample is formulated and configured to measure at least one of a physical property and a chemical species. A method of characterizing corrosive conditions includes providing a sample array in a subterranean formation, analyzing the corrosion proxy to estimate corrosion, and analyzing the at least one sample to determine a at least one property selected from the group consisting of a physical property and a concentration of a chemical species. Some methods include correlating a location in a borehole with corrosion and at least one of a physical property and concentration of a chemical species.

Abstract: A sensor system for monitoring downhole corrosion may include a first test sample and a second test sample for measuring corrosion conditions and collecting data related to the corrosion conditions and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit may include a measuring device for analyzing the first test sample and the second test sample and to obtain corrosion data related to the corrosion conditions and a communication module for transmitting the corrosion data related to the corrosion conditions to a surface above the borehole. A multi-borehole monitoring system may include a plurality of sensor systems disposed in a plurality of boreholes and a monitoring module. The monitoring module may analyze the corrosion data, to manipulate the corrosion data, and to produce a visual representation of the corrosion data. Methods of monitoring corrosion downhole may include receiving the corrosion data at the multi-borehole monitoring system from the plurality of plurality of sensor systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a process for supplying a first reactant and a second reactant (reactants) to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) at each step of a sequential repeating injection cycle, where the SMBR includes zones each having an injection point and each containing a solid separation media; reacting the reactants in the SMBR during the sequential repeating injection cycle (cycle) to form a first product; separating the first product in the SMBR with the solid separation media; and changing an amount of one or both of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points of the SMBR during a step of the cycle. Changing the amount of the reactants can be done at each step of the sequential repeating injection cycle. Changing the amount can include changing an inlet concentration of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points during each step of the cycle.

Abstract: A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water.

Abstract: A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water.

Abstract: A substance includes diamond particles having a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond particles. The organic compound may include a surfactant or a polymer. A method of forming a substance includes exposing diamond particles to an organic compound, and exposing the diamond particles in the presence of the organic compound to ultrasonic energy. The diamond particles may have a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m. A composition includes a liquid, a plurality of diamond nanoparticles dispersed within the liquid, and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond nanoparticles. A method includes mixing a plurality of diamond particles with a solution comprising a liquid solvent and an organic compound, and exposing the mixture including the plurality of diamond nanoparticles and the solution to ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Methods of making cutting elements for earth-boring tools may involve placing a powdered mixture into a mold. The powdered mixture may include a plurality of core particles comprising a diamond material and having an average diameter of between 1 ?m and 500 ?m, a coating material adhered to and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of each core particle of the plurality of core particles, the coating material comprising an amine terminated group, and a plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element adhered to the coating material. The powdered mixture may be sintered to form a polycrystalline diamond table. The polycrystalline diamond table may be attached to a substrate.