Abstract: A radioactivity well logging tool employs an epithermal neutron detector having a thermal neutron counter surrounded by a thermal neutron shield. Located between the counter and the shield is a neutron moderating material for slowing down epithermal neutrons penetrating the thermal neutron shield to enable their counting by the thermal neutron counter.

Abstract: In seismic exploration, linear, multiple fold, common depth point sets of seismograms with three dimensional reflection geometry are used to determine the dip and strike of the subsurface reflecting interfaces and the average velocity of the path of the seismic energy to the reflecting interface. The reflections in each set appear with time differences on a hyperbola with trace spacings determined by the source receiver coordinate distance along the lines of exploration. The offset of the apex of this hyperbola is determined from a normal move-out velocity search of the type performed on two dimensional CDP sets. This search identifies the correct stacking velocity and hyperbola offset which are used to determine dip, strike and average velocity.

Abstract: An ion exchange process for the recovery of uranium from a pregnant lixiviant employed in uranium leaching operations in which the lixiviant contains chloride ions inhibiting the adsorption of uranyl ions. The ion exchange resin employed to adsorb uranium from the lixiviant has cationic adsorption sites provided by quaternary ammonium groups having a hydroxyalkyl group as a quaternizing substituent. Through the use of a resin of this type, the resin loading in the presence of chloride ions is materially increased.

Abstract: Removal of cyanide in wastewater treatment improved by initially contacting a rich cyanide bearing stream with activated sludge at a pH within the range of 3-6 upstream of the wastewater treating plant.

Abstract: A sequential twin tower fractionation arrangement for separating crude oil is described which is particularly concerned with lowering fractionation heat requirements in conjunction with reducing steam utilization in the combination operation.

Abstract: Alcohols and related oxygenates converted in a riser reactor and dense fluid catalyst bed (ZSM-5 cat) circulated through a plurality of satellite stripping-cooling zones for temperature control. Catalyst utilized comprises from 5 to 20 weight percent coke for activity and selectivity characteristics promoting the formation of olefins and aromatics at temperatures below 800.degree. F.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of algae biopolymer employing a first stage for the growth of algae and a second stage for biopolymer production. In the first stage, growth of algae biomass in a culture medium is accomplished by operating the first stage in a continuous mode in which fresh nitrogen-containing nutrient medium is supplied to the culture. Concomitantly with the supply of fresh nutrient medium to the culture in the first stage, a portion of the culture medium is transferred from the first stage to the second stage in which the supply of nitrogen is limited. A nitrogen deficiency is created in the second stage to shift the culture to a senescent phase to enhance biopolymer production. The growth phase is carried out in a first stage reaction chamber which is connected to a plurality of second stage reaction chambers in parallel with one another.

Abstract: A chromatograph signal generator employs a plurality of Gaussian-waveform generators and a ramp voltage generator. A summing amplifier combines the outputs of such generators to produce a composite chromatographic output.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially pure carbon dioxide in a single phase at the surface from a subterranean formation. A pump means, e.g., electrically driven, submergible, centrifugal pump system, is positioned downhole in a carbon dioxide production well. The carbon dioxide flows from the formation to the inlet of the pump means wherein the carbon dioxide is compressed to raise the pressure to values greater than the critical pressure of the produced carbon dioxide plus the amount of pressure that the carbon dioxide will lose due to (a) the static fluid head above the pump means and (b) flow friction from the pump means to a central processing and compression station on the surface. By so boosting the pressure within the well, the carbon dioxide will be produced at the surface at a pressure greater than the critical pressure of the produced carbon dioxide, thereby insuring the carbon dioxide will be in a single phase, supercritical state.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of uranium from a saline alkaline lixiviant employed in a uranium leaching operation. An ion exchange resin is employed to adsorb uranium from the lixiviant. Prior to contacting the resin with the lixiviant, the pH of the lixiviant is reduced to a value of less than 7. By this technique, the resin loading in the presence of chloride ion is materially increased. The pH values for optimum resin loading capacity decrease as the salinity of the lixiviant increases. Resin loading is also enhanced by the presence of bicarbonate ion in the lixiviant.

Abstract: In marine seismic exploration, measurements of reflectivity and water depth are made from seismograms produced by the firing of a seismic energy source towed by a marine vessel. The measurements are made by generating the auto-correlation coefficients of a window of the seismogram and combining these coefficients for different time lags. The time lag producing the minimum energy in the combined autocorrelation coefficients represents water depth. The reflectivity of the water bottom is obtained by generating an estimate of the reflectivity from the values of the auto-correlation function of the window, and modifying this estimate by a factor which converts the estimate to the reflectivity. The measured water depth and reflectivity are converted into an inverse operator. A linear array of sources is then fired in a sequence such that the acoustic pulses combine to produce a resultant acoustic pressure wave having the inverse time domain operator characteristics.

Abstract: In a thermoplastic extrusion system where a single extruder feeds molten polymer through a manifold to a plurality of separate extrusion orifices, a valve system is provided which distributes and regulates the flow of the molten polymer to the individual extrusion orifices.

Abstract: A method for restoring a formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation wherein minerals oxidized during the leach operation pose a contamination threat to the formation water. In the present invention, the formation is flushed with a restoration fluid which contains a reducing agent capable of reducing the oxidized minerals to their reduced, insoluble state so that they are redeposited into the formation. Examples of suitable reducing agents are hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ferrous iron solutions.

Abstract: A marine cable location system includes a plurality of magnetic compasses located at known spaced intervals along a cable being towed by a marine vessel. These compass readings are recorded along with an onboard magnetic compass reading, an onboard gyrocompass reading, and satellite navigational information. From these recordings, the X-Y coordinates of cable compasses with respect to vessel heading are determined. These X-Y coordinates are recorded along with the vessel's position and heading on magnetic tape and a cathode-ray tube so as to provide a visual display of the cable position with respect to the vessel.

Abstract: A process for dynamically killing a well blowout by means of a relief well. A low density fluid is pumped down the relief well and into the blowout well at a rate to produce a frictional pressure loss in the blowout well which when added to the hydrostatic pressure in the blowout well is greater than the static formation pressure but less than the formation fracturing pressure. Injection of the low density fluid is continued until the blowout well goes from two-phase to single-phase flow. Thereafter, a high density fluid such as a drilling mud is pumped down the relief well and into the blowout well. This fluid produces a hydrostatic pressure in the blowout well which is greater than the static formation pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically shutting in a producing well whenever the pressure in the well annulus drops below a defined pressure. A valve is positioned in the production tubing above an isolated production formation in the well and is maintained in an open position in response to the defined pressure in the well annulus. When the defined pressure is lost in the well annulus (e.g. due to intersection by a second well being drilled in the proximity of the producing well), the valve will close to shut in the producing well.

Abstract: Waterflood oil recovery process involving the use of an amphoteric polyelectrolyte as a thickening agent for mobility control. The amphoteric polyelectrolyte is a copolymer of a quaternary vinyl pyridinium sulfonate and a water-insoluble alpha olefin or hydrogenated diene. Specifically disclosed are vinyl pyridinium sulfonate-styrene block copolymers. The amphoteric polyelectrolytes are stable in high temperature and high brine environments.

Abstract: An acoustic source and a spaced-apart acoustic receiver are moved through the casing of a well. Electrical signals indicative of the source signal and the receiver signal are applied uphole by way of a conductor to a time series analyzer and recorder. The time series analyzer provides power-spectral density functions and cross-spectral density functions of the source and receiver signals during reconnaissance logging operations. From these functions there is determined the ability of the casing-cement formation combination to transmit the source signal to the receiver and also the linear correlation of the source signal and receiver signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a production stream comprised of oil, water, and gas flowing through a conduit to determine the percentages of oil, water, and gas in the stream. A sample portion of the production stream is pumped through a sample line into a sample chamber where it is heated and allowed to set for a retention period to substantially separate the sample portion into oil and water layers. Gas that evolves from the sample portion is vented from the chamber. At the end of the retention period, the sample portion is pumped back through the sample line into the conduit. As the sample portion flows through the sample line the oil and water content of the sample and the volume of the sample are measured to determine the oil and water percentages in the sample portion.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir involving the injection into the reservoir of an aqueous solution of an amphoteric surfactant having an inner quaternary ammonium group linked to a terminal sulfonate or carboxylate group. The amphoteric surfactants may be employed in relatively low concentrations within the range of 0.0005 to 0.1 weight percent and injected in a slug of at least 0.5 pore volume. The invention may be applied in situations in which the reservoir waters and/or the waters employed in formulating the surfactant solution contain relatively high amounts of divalent metal ions. Specifically disclosed amphoteric surfactants include hydrocarbyl dialkyl or dihydroxyalkyl ammonium alkane sulfonates and carboxylates in which the hydrocarbyl group contains from 8 to 26 carbon atoms.