Abstract: Molasses based alcohol distilleries generate highly contaminated, dark coloured and foul smelling effluent (bio-methanated spent wash, BMSW, also known as post methanated effluent). While the prevailing practices for treatment of alcohol distillery effluents operate on the premises of “liability management”, high potassium content of spent wash (ca. 2% w/v in BMSW) offers an opportunity for its utilisation in production of potash fertilizers—a major agricultural input. The present invention provides process for potash recovery from BMSW with concomitant environmental remediation of effluent. The process involves pre-treatment of BMSW followed by potash recovery through selective precipitation technique to produce potash fertilizers and activated carbon while generating a relatively benign effluent (>80% remediation). It may further be possible for the alcohol distilleries to achieve ZLD status by incorporating commercially practiced water recovery techniques (viz.

Abstract: A method of swelling an oil-swellable elastomer in a well comprising the step of: contacting the oil-swellable elastomer in the well with a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (A) an oil selected from the group consisting of alkanes and naphtha, wherein the oil comprises hydrocarbons having anywhere in the range of 5 to 21 carbons; (B) an ?-olefin having anywhere in the range of 18 to 26 carbons; and (C) an activator for oil-swelling, the activator selected from the group consisting of: ketones, dodecane, terpenes, terpenoids, haloalkanes having from 9 to 20 carbons, and any combination thereof. An oil-swelled elastomer as produced by the method is also contemplated.

Abstract: Molasses based alcohol distilleries generate highly contaminated, dark coloured and foul smelling effluent (bio-methanated spent wash, BMSW, also known as post methanated effluent). While the prevailing practices for treatment of alcohol distillery effiuents operate on the premises of “liability management”, high potassium content of spent wash (ca. 2% w/v in BMSVV) offers an opportunity for its utilisation in production of potash fertilisers—a major agricultural input. The present invention provides process for potash recovery from BMSW with concomitant environmental remediation of effluent. The process involves pre-treatment of BMSW followed by potash recovery through selective precipitation technique to produce potash fertilisers and activated carbon while generating a relatively benign effluent (>80% remediation). It may further be possible for the alcohol distilleries to achieve ZLD status by incorporating commercially practiced water recovery techniques (viz.

Abstract: A composition including: (a) an aqueous phase; (b) a chitosan-based compound dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; and (c) a crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase, wherein the crosslinker has at least two functional groups independently selected from the group consisting of aldehyde, carboxylic acid, and carboxylate. A method including the step of introducing a composition according to the invention into a treatment zone of a well.

Abstract: A method for treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method including the steps of: (A) introducing a treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone of the subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises an alkoxysilane having at least two alkoxy groups; (B) shutting in the zone to allow the alkoxysilane to hydrolyze in the formation under the design conditions; and (C) before or after introducing the treatment fluid into the zone, installing a mechanical sand control device in the wellbore of the zone.

Abstract: Methods for treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) an aqueous continuous phase; (ii) a first chemical having: (a) a single epoxy group; and (b) at least one alkoxy group on a silicon atom, wherein the first chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in the aqueous continuous phase; (iii) a second chemical having an amine group, wherein the second chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in the aqueous continuous phase; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone of the subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the treatment fluid has a viscosity of less than 5 cP measured at a shear rate of 511 sec?1.

Abstract: Methods for treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) an aqueous continuous phase; (ii) a first chemical having: (a) a single epoxy group; and (b) at least one alkoxy group on a silicon atom, wherein the first chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in the aqueous continuous phase; (iii) a second chemical having an amine group, wherein the second chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in the aqueous continuous phase; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone of the subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the treatment fluid has a viscosity of less than 5 cP measured at a shear rate of 511 sec?1.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation, the method includes: obtaining or providing a composition comprising a cationic polymer and water; and contacting the composition with a subterranean material downhole.

Abstract: A method of swelling an oil-swellable elastomer in a well comprising the step of: contacting the oil-swellable elastomer in the well with a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (A) an oil selected from the group consisting of alkanes and naphtha, wherein the oil comprises hydrocarbons having anywhere in the range of 5 to 21 carbons; (B) an ?-olefin having anywhere in the range of 18 to 26 carbons; and (C) an activator for oil-swelling, the activator selected from the group consisting of: ketones, dodecane, terpenes, terpenoids, haloalkanes having from 9 to 20 carbons, and any combination thereof. An oil-swelled elastomer as produced by the method is also contemplated.

Abstract: A composition including: (a) an aqueous phase; (b) a chitosan-based compound dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase; and (c) a crosslinker dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous phase, wherein the crosslinker has at least two functional groups independently selected from the group consisting of aldehyde, carboxylic acid, and carboxylate. A method including the step of introducing a composition according to the invention into a treatment zone of a well.

Abstract: A method for treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method including the steps of: (A) introducing a treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone of the subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises an alkoxysilane having at least two alkoxy groups; (B) shutting in the zone to allow the alkoxysilane to hydrolyze in the formation under the design conditions; and (C) before or after introducing the treatment fluid into the zone, installing a mechanical sand control device in the wellbore of the zone.