Abstract: An instrument and method for surveying the static fluid column of a cased oil well and measuring the volume of oil and brine in the fluid column is disclosed. The instrument uses the inherent differences in specific gravity between water, oil and brine to provide a more simple, convenient, portable and cost effective means for surveying oil columns in cased oil wells. The instrument includes a probe, and a modified fishing rig used to lower and raise the probe into the oil well. The fishing rig includes a handled rod, a reel with a numeric line counter, and length of fused braided fishing line. The numeric line counter visually indicates the length of line expelled from the reel's spool. The probe includes a tubular casing, which is filled with ordinary tap water. The probe is constructed and filled with water so that it has a specific gravity greater than oil and less than brine (approximately 1.0 g/cc).

Abstract: An improved scrubber that uses a stream of air to blast the oil off the oil-laden conveyer chains of oil-only recovery apparatus is disclosed. The improved scrubber eliminates the need for conventional scouring components that physically contact the conveyer chain. The scrubber includes a blower, a series of air ducts, and an elongated nozzle. The air flow generated by the blower is communicated through the air ducts and directed onto a length of the oil-laden conveyer chain within the reservoir chamber of the recovery apparatus by the nozzle to blast the crude oil off the conveyer chain. The scrubber also includes a collection baffle positioned directly behind the length of the conveyer chain, which provides a surface area upon which the liquid oil collects and upon which the gaseous oil particulate may agglomerate and condense, before collecting at the bottom of the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously recovering oil-only from mature wells with typically low production. The apparatus includes a continuous chain which is suspended in the oil-containing portion of the well. By continuously moving the chain, oil is drawn out of the well and deposited in a collection box.

Abstract: Apparatus for the diacritic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon feeds includes a combustor for burning a fuel, to provide the hot combustion products to the reactor. The combustor is water cooled and includes gas filming with an appropriate gas such as N.sub.2 or CO.sub.2 to avoid coking in the combustor by preventing impingement of the fuel and combustion products on the combustor walls. The reactor is of reduced cross-section, also preferably utilizing gas filming to avoid coking on the reactor walls. Feed stock injectors are provided adjacent the reactor inlet. Adjacent the outlet end of the reactor is a quench section designed for the rapid injection of a quench fluid to reduce the stream temperature below that at which further cracking will take place, with the quench injectors also being gas filmed to avoid the coking thereof.

Abstract: A continuous process for the selective production of ethylene by the diacritic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon feeds such as residual oils, heavy vacuum gas oils, atmospheric gas oils, crude oils and coal-derived liquids. The diacritic cracking takes place in a non-tubular multi-zone reactor at elevated pressures (e.g. 70-1000 p.s.i.a.) A fuel is combusted with oxygen in the first section of the multi-zone reactor. The high temperature products of combustion of the first zone pass into a second section of the reactor where the feed is atomized and cracked to yield products including ethylene, acetylene and synthesis gas. The reaction products of the second zone then pass into a third section in which they are quenched. In each stage of the reactor the present process seeks to prevent the build-up of coke deposits on the walls of the reactor. In the first two stages, a film of gas such as CO.sub.2 or N.sub.2 is injected along the inner walls to prevent build-up of coke.