Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting container leakage using thermal imaging, for example, infrared imaging, are disclosed. A method may include a step of sensing thermal radiation emanating from a scene encompassing a liquid-holding container. For example, the container may be an intravenous fluid bag. The method may also include a step of generating a thermal image of the scene based on the sensed thermal radiation and a step of analyzing the thermal image by assessing whether the thermal image includes a thermal feature indicative of the presence of leaked liquid outside the container to determine whether a leak exists in the container. In some embodiments, the container may be enclosed in an overwrap. In such a case, the assessed thermal feature may be indicative of liquid being present in an interstitial volume defined between the container and the overwrap.

Abstract: Fast microbolometer pixels integrating micro-optical focusing elements are provided. Each microbolometer pixel includes a focusing element located between the pixel body and a substrate, this focusing element preferably sending radiation back towards the central portion of the microbolometer. There is also provided a microbolometer array having a plurality of such microbolometer pixels. Advantageously, to increase the pixel speed, the present microbolometers may be built smaller than the detector and no additional structures need to be attached to said detector.

Abstract: An aqueous viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluid foamed or energized with carbon dioxide, in which the VES is more compatible with the carbon dioxide, is made by the addition of one or more than one synergistic co-surfactant. The synergist co-surfactant includes quaternary amines and ethoxylated carboxylates having a hydrophobic chain shorter than the hydrophobic chain of the VES. Improved compatibility is evidenced for a given surfactant concentration either by formation and maintenance of a foam under conditions at which the foam could not otherwise have been formed or maintained, or by either higher viscosity of the foamed fluid at a given temperature or longer foam life at a given temperature or a higher temperature at which useful fluid viscosity can be generated or maintained for a useful time. The aqueous carbon dioxide foamed fluids may be used in acidizing, acid fracturing, gravel packing, diversion, and well cleanout.

Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant fluids by adding a rheology enhancer having the structure: R-(EO)x(PO)y—R?—OH in which R is an alkyl group that is straight chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and contains from 3 to about 18 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to about 14, y is from 0 to about 7, R? is an alkyl group that contains from 0 to about 14 carbon atoms and is straight chained, branched if having more than 3 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated if having more than one carbon atom, the total number of carbon atoms in R plus R? is from 3 to about 21, and the EO and PO groups, if present, may be in any order. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and thermal stability. Preferred surfactants are betaines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

Abstract: Described herein are composite compositions and methods for making such compositions. The composition includes or is the reaction product of a cellulosic material, an organic component, and a thermoplastic. Some useful organic components include a silane-containing polymer. Some of the compositions have improved physical properties such as tensile properties, improved strength, and reduced water absorption.

Abstract: Fast microbolometer pixels integrating micro-optical focusing elements are provided. Each microbolometer pixel includes a focusing element located between the pixel body and a substrate, this focusing element preferably sending radiation back towards the central portion of the microbolometer. There is also provided a microbolometer array having a plurality of such microbolometer pixels. Advantageously, to increase the pixel speed, the present microbolometers may be built smaller than the detector and no additional structures need to be attached to said detector.

Abstract: Well treatment is disclosed that includes injecting a well treatment fluid with insoluble polyol polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) dispersed therein, depositing the insoluble polymer in the wellbore or an adjacent formation, and thereafter dissolving the polymer by reducing salinity and/or increasing temperature conditions in the environment of the polymer deposit. The method is disclosed for filter cake formation, fluid loss control, drilling, hydraulic fracturing and fiber assisted transport, where removal of the polyol at the end of treatment or after treatment is desired. The method is also disclosed for providing dissolved polyol as a delayed breaker in crosslinked polymer viscosified systems and viscoelastic surfactant systems. Also disclosed are well treatment fluids containing insoluble amorphous or at least partially crystalline polyol, and a PVOH fiber composition wherein the fibers are stabilized from dissolution by salinity.

Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a rheology enhancer selected from partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and very low rheology enhancer concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant fluids by adding a rheology enhancer having the structure: R-(EO)x(PO)y—R?—OH in which R is an alkyl group that is straight chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and contains from 3 to about 18 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to about 14, y is from 0 to about 7, R? is an alkyl group that contains from 0 to about 14 carbon atoms and is straight chained, branched if having more than 3 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated if having more than one carbon atom, the total number of carbon atoms in R plus R? is from 3 to about 21, and the EO and PO groups, if present, may be in any order. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and thermal stability. Preferred surfactants are betaines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

Abstract: An aqueous viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluid foamed or energized with carbon dioxide, in which the VES is more compatible with the carbon dioxide, is made by the addition of one or more than one synergistic co-surfactant. The synergist co-surfactant includes quaternary amines and ethoxylated carboxylates having a hydrophobic chain shorter than the hydrophobic chain of the VES. Improved compatibility is evidenced for a given surfactant concentration either by formation and maintenance of a foam under conditions at which the foam could not otherwise have been formed or maintained, or by either higher viscosity of the foamed fluid at a given temperature or longer foam life at a given temperature or a higher temperature at which useful fluid viscosity can be generated or maintained for a useful time. The aqueous carbon dioxide foamed fluids may be used in acidizing, acid fracturing, gravel packing, diversion, and well cleanout.