Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a concentration of monoethanolamine (MEA) in a fluid. A substrate for supporting a sample of the fluid during testing includes a carbon nanotube mat layer, a silver nanowire layer disposed on the carbon nanotube mat layer, and a chemical enhancer layer disposed on the silver nanowire layer. A sample of the fluid is placed on the substrate, and the fluid sample is radiated with electromagnetic radiation at a selected energy level. A detector measures a Raman spectrum emitted from the sample in response to the electromagnetic radiation. A processor estimates the concentration of MEA in the sample from the Raman spectrum and adds a corrosion inhibitor to the fluid in an amount based on the estimated concentration of MEA to reduce the concentration of MEA in the fluid.

Abstract: An initiator nanoconstituent comprises a nanoparticle covalently bonded to a group having a free radical. The nanoparticle may be bonded to the group via an ether group or an amide group. The initiator nanoconstituent may be formed in situ, in a mixture comprising an elastomer material to be crosslinked. The initiator nanoconstituent is formed from an organic nanoconstituent compound that includes the nanoparticle and an organic group that does not include a free radical at the time the mixture is formed. At least one chemical bond of the organic nanoconstituent compound may be ruptured, in situ, to form the initiator nanoconstituent, which may then bond with polymer molecules of the elastomer material and form a crosslinked elastomer material. Downhole tools or components thereof may include such crosslinked elastomer material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a diamond compact includes functionalizing surfaces of diamond nanoparticles with fluorine; combining the functionalized diamond nanoparticles with a non-group-VIII metal to form a particle mixture; and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles. A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a plurality of grains of diamond material; a plurality of diamond nanoparticles bonded to the plurality of grains of diamond material; and a non-group-VIII metal fluoride disposed within interstitial spaces between the grains of diamond material and the plurality of diamond nanoparticles. The cutting element is substantially free of a metal-solvent catalyst.

Abstract: An elastomer nanocomposite comprises an elastomer comprising a non-functionalized first elastomer and a functionalized second elastomer and a functionalized filler crosslinked with the elastomer, wherein the non-functionalized first elastomer and the functionalized second elastomer are independently an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber; a nitrile butadiene rubber; a hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber; a butadiene rubber; a styrene-butadiene rubber; an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber; an acrylate-butadiene rubber; a natural rubber; a polyisoprene rubber; a polychloroprene rubber; an ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber; a polypropylene oxide rubber; a polypropylene sulfide rubber; a fluoroelastomer; a perfluoroelastomer; a polyurethane rubber, or a functionalized derivative thereof.

Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of a fluid in a wellbore includes a component that comprises: a cementitious material; an aggregate; and a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized filler; the functionalized filler comprising one or more of the following: functionalized carbon; functionalized clay; functionalized silica; functionalized alumina; functionalized zirconia; functionalized titanium dioxide; functionalized silsesquioxane; functionalized halloysite; or functionalized boron nitride; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber.

Abstract: A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises: injecting into the wellbore a cementing composition comprising: a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized carbon; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber; a cementitious material; an aggregate; and an aqueous carrier.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a selected refinery chemical at a low concentration comprises contacting a sample with functionalized metallic nanoparticles that contain metallic nanoparticles functionalized with a functional group comprising a cyano group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, a boronic acid group, an aza group, an ether group, a hydroxyl group, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; radiating the sample contacted with the functionalized metallic nanoparticles with electromagnetic radiation at a selected energy level; measuring a Raman spectrum emitted from the sample; and determining the presence or a concentration of a selected refinery chemical in the sample from the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of a fluid in a wellbore comprises: an annular body having a flow passage therethrough; a frustoconical element disposed about the annular body; a sealing element carried on the annular body and configured to engage a portion of the frustoconical element; and a bottom sub disposed about the annular body; wherein at least one of the frustoconical element and the bottom sub comprise a polymeric composite that includes: a polymer component comprising one or more of the following: a poly(ether ether ketone); or an epoxy, and a filler crosslinked with the polymer component.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing one or more clays within a subterranean formation comprises forming at least one treatment fluid comprising anionic silica particles, cationic silica particles, and at least one base material. The at least one treatment fluid is provided into a subterranean formation containing clay particles to attach at least a portion of the anionic silica particles and the cationic silica particles to surfaces of the clay particles and form stabilized clay particles. A method of treating one or more clays contained within a subterranean formation, and a treatment fluid for a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises introducing a solution comprising a silicon-containing compound into the subterranean formation. The silicon-containing compound may comprise a terminal group comprising one of an alkanoate group, a fluoroalkanoate group, and a perfluoroalkanoate group, and one or more of an alkoxy group and a chlorine atom bonded to a silicon atom. The method comprises attaching the silicon-containing compound to one or more of formation surfaces of the subterranean formation to form an oleophilic surface on the one or more of the formation surfaces and the surfaces of proppant particles.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) has a diamond matrix including inter-bonded diamond grains and nanodiamond agglomerates within interstitial spaces in the diamond matrix. A volume percentage of the nanodiamond agglomerates in the PDC may be greater than or equal to a percolation threshold volume of the nanodiamond agglomerates in the PDC, and a remainder of the volume of the PDC may be at least substantially comprised by the diamond matrix. The PDC may be at least substantially free of metal solvent catalyst material. Earth-boring tools include one or more such PDCs. A method of manufacturing a PDC includes mixing diamond grains with nanodiamond agglomerates to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to a high-temperature/high-pressure (HTHP) sintering process to form the PDC without any substantial assistance from a metal solvent catalyst material.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation comprises forming a flooding suspension comprising degradable particles and a carrier fluid. The flooding suspension is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material to form an emulsion stabilized by the degradable particles and remove the emulsion from the subterranean formation. At least a portion of the degradable particles are degraded to destabilize the emulsion. An additional method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation, and a stabilized emulsion are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a concentration of monoethanolamine (MEA) in a fluid. A substrate for supporting a sample of the fluid during testing includes a carbon nanotube mat layer, a silver nanowire layer disposed on the carbon nanotube mat layer, and a chemical enhancer layer disposed on the silver nanowire layer. A sample of the fluid is placed on the substrate, and the fluid sample is radiated with electromagnetic radiation at a selected energy level. A detector measures a Raman spectrum emitted from the sample in response to the electromagnetic radiation. A processor estimates the concentration of MEA in the sample from the Raman spectrum and adds a corrosion inhibitor to the fluid in an amount based on the estimated concentration of MEA to reduce the concentration of MEA in the fluid.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane may include functional groups and the suspension may further comprise carbon-based nanoparticles and silica nanoparticles. Related methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation using the suspension. The method comprises contacting hydrocarbons with the suspension to form an emulsion stabilized by the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: A method of installing a downhole device comprises introducing a downhole device into a wellbore, the downhole device comprising a substrate and a shape memory polymer in a deformed state disposed on the substrate; combining a modified activation material in the form of a powder, a hydrogel, an xerogel, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing with a carrier to provide an activation fluid; introducing the activation fluid into the wellbore; releasing an activation agent in a liquid form from the modified activation material; and contacting the shape memory polymer in the deformed state with the released activation agent in an amount effective to deploy the shape memory polymer.

Abstract: Nanoparticles for use in the treatment of a well have a magnetic core of iron, nickel or cobalt or an alloy thereof; a carbon shell encapsulating the magnetic core; at least one organic functional group on the surface of the carbon shell through covalent bonding; and a coating of amorphous carbon nitride encapsulating the functionalized carbon shell. The nanoparticles may be used to identify fluids produced from the reservoir, identify the zone within the reservoir from which recovered fluid is produced, in water flooding to determine water breakthrough in the production well and to identify those injection wells from which breakthrough water originates.

Abstract: A flocculant, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, includes a core nanoparticle and at least one positively charged functional group on a surface of the core nanoparticle. The nanoparticle may comprise a silica, alumina, titania, iron oxide, iron nitride, iron carbide, or a carbon-based nanoparticle. The flocculant may be used, in a method of bitumen recovery, to neutralize and agglomerate bitumen droplets and/or mineral particles derived from oil sands ore. The bitumen droplets agglomerate about the core nanoparticle of the flocculant to form bitumen flocs, while the mineral particles agglomerate about the core nanoparticle of the flocculant to form mineral flocs. The buoyant bitumen flocs may then separate from the dense mineral flocs to enable high-yield recovery of bitumen from oil sands.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises introducing a solution comprising a silicon-containing compound into the subterranean formation. The silicon-containing compound may comprise a terminal group comprising one of an alkanoate group, a fluoroalkanoate group, and a perfluoroalkanoate group, and one or more of an alkoxy group and a chlorine atom bonded to a silicon atom. The method comprises attaching the silicon-containing compound to one or more of formation surfaces of the subterranean formation to form an oleophilic surface on the one or more of the formation surfaces and the surfaces of proppant particles.