Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Abstract: A method of cleaning sediment from a liquid-transporting pipeline comprises injecting gas into the pipeline. The injected gas forms a bubble in the pipeline and the bubble travels in a direction towards a discharge of the pipeline. Resulting turbulence at a trailing surface of the bubble causes sediment in the pipeline to become entrained in a liquid phase trailing the bubble. The bubble and sediment entrained in a liquid phase trailing the bubble are conveyed to the discharge of the pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the passage of a multiple-phase fluid through a pipeline are provided. The apparatus can generally include a first tubular passage that defines an inlet and an outlet, and a valve that is fluidly positioned between the inlet and the outlet and configured to control the flow of fluid through the first tubular passage. A second tubular passage extends from a first position upstream of the valve to a second position downstream of the valve so that the second tubular passage is configured to receive fluid from the first tubular passage upstream of the valve and deliver the fluid to the first tubular passage downstream of the valve.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating components of a slurry comprising solid particles and liquid components, particularly where the slurry is under pressure. The components are separated in a hydrocyclone such that a solids-enriched slurry exits the separator via an underflow outlet while a solids-depleted slurry exits the separator through an overflow outlet and passes into a products vessel. Fluid communication is provided between the products vessel and the underflow outlet so that gas can circulate through the hydrocyclone. This gas circulation pathway may be achieved by enclosing the separation system in a housing or providing a gas circulation conduit between the products vessel and the underflow outlet of the separator or an optional solids vessel connected to the underflow outlet. Pressure within the separator apparatus may be adjusted and controlled at a negative, neutral or positive pressure while operating the hydrocyclone in balanced mode to achieve efficient separation.

Abstract: Methods for completing and producing hydrocarbon from a well having a highly permeable production formation having a water zone and a hydrocarbon zone are disclosed. In the disclosed techniques a cased well borehole is cemented in place through the production formation. A packer is set in the casing to isolate the hydrocarbon zone from the water zone. Perforations in the water zone and in the hydrocarbon zone produce a mixture of both fluids into the casing/tubing annulus at different bottom hole pressures (FBHP's) due to the installation of a flow restriction limiting the flow of either hydrocarbon or water into the tubing string. Artificial lift means are used to produce the fluid mixture to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the downhole disposal of the water component of production fluid while using gas lift techniques to lift the hydrocarbon component to the surface is disclosed. Separation of the hydrocarbon component and the water component takes place downhole by gravity in an annulus formed between the well casing and a tubing string. The water component may be disposed of or utilized to carry out a water-flood of either overlying or underlying subterranean formations. As a result, the lifting, handling and disposal of the water component of the production fluid on the surface is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention determines the presence of a pig in a pipeline and the condition of the pig, as regards to the material the pig may be pushing, by passive acoustic detectors which determine the acoustic characteristics for the pipe and the pig. From these a computer is used to determine from changes in these characteristics the nature of the materials picked up by the pig or the condition of the pig and the pipe.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for determining the quality of steam reading a subterranean formation through a well bore. The steam is passed through a choke which imparts critical flow characteristics. A turbine meter is calibrated at the surface at known conditions and then positioned in the well where the steam quality value is required. The turbine meter is used in combination with the Saturated Steam Table to determine steam quality.

Abstract: Unequal phase splitting at branch T pipe junctions, wherein the branch line is of substantially lesser diameter than the main line, is substantially eliminated by structure (either a weir or sump) in the main line which collects at least a portion of the liquid phase and a bypass line which connects the weir or sump to the branch line downstream of a constriction creating a reduced pressure section in the branch pipe.

Abstract: A multi-phase fluid flow meter based on passive and non-intrusive acoustics is described for use in field applications on pipes. The present design uses the pipe's characteristic acoustic frequency and its amplitude variation in conjunction with a differential pressure measurement to obtain the total mass flow rates and mass flow rates of each phase. In addition to the mass flow rates the void/liquid fraction, fluid velocities and densities become viable estimates. Instrument construction is simple and very robust, allowing for use in extreme environments. This includes down hole as well as surface measurements.

Abstract: A low-cost low-pressure drop critical flow venturi is formed from a single rigid member with mirror image inlet and diffuser sections. The mirror imaging allows the member to be mounted in a flow stream, without regard to the direction of flow, and to still be operative.

Abstract: Steam quality at both outlets of a T junction is equalized by a static mixer immediately adjacent the inlet to the junction causing substantial homogenization of the liquid and vapor phases of wet steam entering the junction so that the steam exiting both legs of the junction will have substantially the same quality as the steam entering the junction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the flow regime of multiphase fluid flowing in a closed pipeline system utilizes an entirely passive acoustical detector means. The acoustical pattern detected by the detector means is amplified and compared to known patterns to identify the flow regime according to its acoustical fingerprint.

Abstract: A system by which a supplier of wet steam may allocate and measure the mass flow rate and quality of steam delivered to a demand user and one or more secondary users with the wet steam delivered to each user being measured for purposes of billing. Pressure regulator means between the demand customer and the secondary customers responsive to pressure changes caused by the amount of steam going to the demand customer. The demand customer thus being able to take from 0 to 100% of the steam generator output with the remaining steam being allocated to the secondary customers.

Abstract: A system by which a supplier of wet steam may allocate and measure the mass flow rate and quality of steam delivered to a demand user and one or more secondary users with the wet steam delivered to each user being measured for purposes of billing. Pressure regulator means between the demand customer and the secondary customers responsive to pressure changes caused by the amount of steam going to the demand customer. The demand customer thus being able to take from 0 to 100% of the steam generator output with the remaining steam being allocated to the secondary customers.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the quantity and quality of steam to a plurality of constant demand customers has a steam generating source, and pressure regulator means and steam mass flow measurement means between each constant demand customer and the steam generating source.

Abstract: Steam quality at both outlets of a T junction is maintained equal to that of the inlet by variably controlling the pipe cross sectional area according to the ratio of vapor flow rates through the respective outlet legs.

Abstract: Separation of wet steam into its liquid and vapor phases is facilitated prior to encountering a junction. The separated phases are recombined as the steam exits the respective arms of the junction.

Abstract: The separation of wet steam into its liquid and vapor phases, prior to encountering a pipe junction, is facilitated. The liquid phase is then recombined by aspiration to effectively behave as a single phase vapor of homogeneous density at the point where the flow stream is divided by the junction.