Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gas distribution system which distributes the gas more uniformly into a process chamber. In one embodiment, a gas distribution system comprises a gas ring including an outer surface and an inner surface, and a gas inlet disposed at the outer surface of the gas ring. The gas inlet is fluidicly coupled with a first channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of gas outlets are distributed over the inner surface of the gas ring, and are fluidicly coupled with a second channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of orifices are fluidicly coupled between the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: A screen for separating solids and liquids is formed from parallel strips of wedge wire or similar material into a two-sided enclosure having the flat bases of the wedge wires oriented to contact dirty liquid. Unfiltered liquid containing solids contacts the screen surface on both sides of the enclosure, forming a passage for filtrate. A wedge wire screen may be bent back on itself to form a C-shape or may be a closed curve, still exposing only the flat sides of the wedge wires to the dirty liquid, and collection filtrate within the enclosure so formed. Filter units may be placed in a housing adapted to accommodate two or more in a substantially concentric relationship.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gas distribution system which distributes the gas more uniformly into a process chamber. In one embodiment, a gas distribution system comprises a gas ring including an outer surface and an inner surface, and a gas inlet disposed at the outer surface of the gas ring. The gas inlet is fluidicly coupled with a first channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of gas outlets are distributed over the inner surface of the gas ring, and are fluidicly coupled with a second channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of orifices are fluidicly coupled between the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: An orbital downhole separator for separating well fluids into constituents of different specific gravities. Specifically, it is designed to separate water from oil or gas. The apparatus comprises a housing with a rotating member therein driven by a motor in the housing. Well fluid flows through the rotating member and is subjected to centrifugal force to separate the components. A flow conditioner is used to facilitate separation. The invention includes several different versions of the flow conditioner including an impeller, a stator and controllers for controlling the speed of the motor in response to signals related to the amount of petroleum in the water.

Abstract: A method for reducing a skin effect in a downhole environment is provided, including the step of radiating vibrational waves at a wellbore wall such that the vibrational waves have at least one direction of greatest vibrational energy transfer directed toward the wall, thereby reducing the skin effect. An apparatus for reducing a skin effect in a downhole environment is also provided. The apparatus includes at least one vibrational wave source having at least one direction of greatest vibrational energy transfer, and a means for positioning the vibrational wave source proximate a wellbore wall.

Abstract: In a preparation of random polyoxadiazole copolymer by reaction of a mixture of oleum, hydrazine sulfate, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid, the improvement requires the addition of oleum in more than one step.

Abstract: In a preparation of random polyoxadiazole copolymer by reaction of a mixture of oleum, hydrazine sulfate, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid, the improvement requires the addition of oleum in more than one step.

Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose. A temperature monitor can be deployed on the fluid emerging or downstream from the cavitation or other device to assist in correlating temperatures to viscosities of various fluids.

Abstract: Cesium solutions are treated in a cavitation device to increase their temperature and facilitate the removal of water from them. The context is normally an oil well fluid or a mining solution. The concentrated solutions can be reused, in the case of oil well fluids, or more easily handled for recovery of the elemental cesium or cesium in the form of a salt. Thermal energy is saved by using the concentrate or the water vapor to heat various streams within the system.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to reduce the water content of used or wastep solutions and slurries, including oil well fluids and muds, solution mining fluids, industrial oil/water emulsions, and other used or wastep aqueous industrial fluids. A main reason for reducing the water content of such fluids is to facilitate their disposal or reuse. Thermal energy from the steam and vapor produced by the non-scaling cavitation device is recycled in steam turbines or piston expander engines, or otherwise facilitates evaporation through a membrane or condensation to useful fresh water; the efficiency of the process can be enhanced by mechanical vapor recompression.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat and facilitation the separation of mixtures and emulsions of oil and water. Waste heat from the power source for the cavitation device may be utilized to elevate the temperature of incoming mixtures or emulsions. The heated mixture of emulsion is sent to a separation vessel where vapor may be removed and/or recovered, and where oil is removed as it separates into an identifiable layer. The separation vessel may be a flash tank.

Abstract: Reservoir characterization based on observations of displacements at the earth's surface. One method of characterizing a reservoir includes the steps of: detecting a response of the reservoir to a stimulus, the stimulus causing a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the response to the stimulus. The response may be the pressure change which varies periodically over time, or a set of displacements of a surface of the earth. In another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements. In yet another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a change in volume of the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat, concentrate and recycle or otherwise reuse dilute and other oil well fluids, brines and muds, and solution mining fluids, all of which commonly contain ingredients worthy of conservation. The cavitation device can be powered by a Diesel engine whose exhaust may be used to heat the incoming fluid, and the product of the cavitation device is directed to a flash tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient operation of an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) are disclosed. A physical layer processing includes computation of various control parameters followed by actual processing of the data to be transmitted. In accordance with the present invention, the computation of the control parameters is performed asynchronously from the associated data operation. A medium access control (MAC) layer provides information needed for computation of the control parameters to the physical layer as early as possible, while the data is being processed in parallel. The provided data includes a hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) profile, a transport block size, power offset, or the like. By sending this data to the physical layer before MAC-e processing is complete, the latency constraint can be significantly relaxed.

Abstract: A circuit for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: Methods of creating and using robust neural network ensembles are disclosed. Some embodiments take the form of computer-based methods that comprise receiving a set of available inputs; receiving training data; training at least one neural network for each of at least two different subsets of the set of available inputs; and providing at least two trained neural networks having different subsets of the available inputs as components of a neural network ensemble configured to transform the available inputs into at least one output. The neural network ensemble may be applied as a log synthesis method that comprises: receiving a set of downhole logs; applying a first subset of downhole logs to a first neural network to obtain an estimated log; applying a second, different subset of the downhole logs to a second neural network to obtain an estimated log; and combining the estimated logs to obtain a synthetic log.

Abstract: Logging systems and methods are disclosed to reduce usage of radioisotopic sources. Some embodiments comprise collecting at least one output log of a training well bore from measurements with a radioisotopic source; collecting at least one input log of the training well bore from measurements by a non-radioisotopic logging tool; training a neural network to predict the output log from the at least one input log; collecting at least one input log of a development well bore from measurements by the non-radioisotopic logging tool; and processing the at least one input log of the development well bore to synthesize at least one output log of the development well bore. The output logs may include formation density and neutron porosity logs.

Abstract: A sensor includes an optical-to-electrical conversion device that is operable to convert at least a portion of an optical power of an optical signal received by the sensor to electrical power. The sensor also includes a sensing device that is operable to detect one or more state properties of an environment. The sensing device is also operable to generate one or more sensing signals in response to the detected state properties. The sensing device uses at least a portion of the electrical power to detect the one or more state properties. The sensor further includes an optical device that is operable to manipulate one or more optical characteristics of the optical signal based at least in part on the sensing signal. The optical device is also operable to communicate at least a portion of the manipulated optical signal from the sensor.