Abstract: Improved electrical power utilization and increased oil production per producing well are achieved by specially completing a production well, applying electrical current through the production well to a subsurface formation, and producing oil from said formation. The production well extends essentially vertically from the surface and has one or more drain holes, preferably cased with tubular steel, extending laterally from the longitudinal vertical axis of the wellbore and into and traversing a part of the oil bearing formation. The length of the producing well traversing and being in fluid communication with the formation being substantially greater than the thickness of the oil bearing formation.

Abstract: In the cathodic protection of tubular goods transporting fluids above 100.degree. F. with aluminum or zinc anodes, the output efficiency of the anode is increased by thermally insulating the anode from the tubular goods on which the anode is placed.

Abstract: There is provided a well completion for electrical alternating current power transmission that minimizes power losses and related corrosion problems. Casing is used both as the electrode and conductor. Most of the conductor portion is made of nonmagnetic metal, for example aluminum, and is electrically insulated both exteriorly and interiorly. The insulation extends below the point where the nonmagnetic metal ends. Tubing is used to produce or inject fluids. The upper end of the conductor-electrode may be surrounded by a nonmagnetic surface string which is also electrically insulated.

Abstract: In the subsurface solution mining of mineral values, especially uranium, in situ, magnesium bicarbonate leaching solution is used instead of sodium, potassium and ammonium carbonate and bicarbonates. The magnesium bicarbonate solution is formed by combining carbon dioxide with magnesium oxide and water. The magnesium bicarbonate lixivant has four major advantages over prior art sodium, potassium and ammonium bicarbonates.

Abstract: A hand-held, caliper-like detector suitable for measuring the level of a nongaseous substance in a cylinder has two extending arms. The arms of the caliper-like detector are adapted to extend around a part of the cylinder. A gamma radiation source is located on one arm and is adapted to emit gamma rays through a segment of the cylinder toward a scintillator. The scintillator is located on the second arm and is adapted to receive the gamma rays emitted by the radiation source. Various embodiments of the detector pertain to positioning of the radiation source, shielding the source when not in use, the angle subtended by an imaginery chord joining the source and scintillator, and fabrication of source and scintillator housing.

Abstract: The suction side performance of an injection pump for pumping a viscous chemical liquid or semi-liquid additive into a liquid flowing in a pipeline is improved by simultaneously pumping a compatible low viscosity liquid into the line leading to the suction side of the injection pump. The low viscosity liquid acts as a lubricating fluid for the viscous additive and assists movement of the viscous additive to and through the injection pump. The combined action of the low viscosity liquid and injection pump may also assist solution or dispersion of the additive in the liquid flowing in the pipeline.

Abstract: Mined, crushed, coal particles are dried and then contacted with a water-base dispersion or emulsion of latex paint type solids. The latex paint type solids form an elastic film that reduces the tendency of the dried coal to spontaneously ignite.

Abstract: Unconsolidated sand-like material in a subsurface formation adjacent a borehole of a water, oil, or gas well is consolidated by treating the formation first with a solution of alcohol and organic silicate and then with water. The water causes the organic silicate to hydrolyze and polymerize into a coating-like binding agent. The water also flushes excess organic silicate-alcohol solution from the more permeable portions of the formation adjacent the borehole, thereby maintaining the formation's permeability. The silicate solution may be preceded by alcohol without silicate. Organic silicate has many advantages over alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: The level of liquid or solid substances in a cylindrical chamber is detected using a radioactive source and detector mounted on a vertically movable member in horizontally spaced fixed relation to each other in a manner such that the source and detector measure across a horizontal sector of 90.degree. or more of the cylinder in which the level of the solid or liquid is to be measured. Vertical movement of the source and detector is accomplished through a drive means whose action is correlated with a recording chart on which is simultaneously plotted the amplitude of the signal produced by the detector.

Abstract: An easy to manufacture, strong, high pressure flange-type insulating coupling with wide separation between exposed metal parts is provided. The insulating coupling is made up of two metal half flanges supported on a nonconductive cylindrical nonmetallic member. The space between the two vertical ends of the half flanges is wound in typical fashion with plastic impregnated glass fibers to provide the necessary working strength.

Abstract: An electrical isolation, high pressure resistant gasket for API or ANSI seal ring flanges has four combined features. The gasket has two relatively thick, unyielding metal plates electrically separated from each other by an insulating material. The outer face surfaces of the metal plates are grooved for metal seal rings. The inner face surfaces have metal ridges. The insulating material electrically isolates the plates and the strength of the plates and metal ridges prevent distortion of the plates and blowout of the insulation material. Preferably, the metal ridges extend inwardly overlapping each other. The metal plates may be made of dissimilar metals.

Abstract: Mined, crushed, dried coal particles are sprayed with a special deactivating oil to reduce the tendency of the dried coal to spontaneously ignite. The special oil is a virgin vacuum reduced crude with a 5% point above 900.degree. F., a characterization factor of 10.8 or greater, and a minimum flash point of 400.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention concerns an efficient, high recovery, single product, multiple-stage process for producing high BTU methane from a low BTU feed gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and other materials. In the process, impurities like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed at the appropriate point. The carbon monoxide is removed and split into two streams. One stream is reacted with steam to provide additional hydrogen which is mixed with the other carbon monoxide stream and passed to a methanator. The hydrogen in the feed gas is recovered in an especially efficient two stage manner which is suitable for use with standard cooling water and which reduces metallurgical problems, compression requirements and heat requirements. In the first stage, metal hydrides are formed, thereby separating the hydrogen in the feed gas from nitrogen and the nitrogen exits and is removed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for standard distillation of a mixture of carbon dioxide and ethane derived from a prior separation state in a way that greater than normal separation is obtained. The greater separation is accomplished in two stages. In the first stage, an azeotrope of carbon dioxide and ethane is formed in a first distillation column at a first pressure. The azeotropic mixture is then transferred to a second distillation column operated at a second pressure. The second pressure is at least 150 psia greater or less than the first pressure and is sufficient to shift the phase curves or equilibrium ratios so that additional separation of the ethane and carbon dioxide is accomplished in the second column. Preferably, if the concentration of carbon dioxide in the original ethane-carbon dioxide mixture is less than the concentration of carbon dioxide in the azeotrope, the pressure in the second column will be lower than pressure in the first column.

Abstract: Low BTU feed gas formed by gasification of carbonaceous materials with air is converted to high BTU gas by partial carbon monoxide separation and by using the reducing characteristic of the remaining feed gas in the iron reduction unit of a standard iron-steam process for manufacturing hydrogen. The hydrogen manufacturing stage also removes nitrogen which is a primary cause of low heat value in upgraded gases. The separated CO and the manufactured H.sub.2 are converted to a high quality methane. In the process, other undesirable impurities and diluents like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide may be removed first.

Abstract: In the pyrolysis of crushed mined hydrocarbonaceous mineral solids with hot heat carrying solids, the heat carrying solids are recovered from the pyrolyzed mineral matter, heated and recycled back to a primary pyrolysis zone. At an appropriate point in the process, a mixture of heat carriers and pyrolyzed mineral matter is fed into a chamber through which an elutriating gas is flowed. Prior to entry into the chamber, the mixture is separated into two streams having different relative concentrations of spent mineral matter. The stream with the least amount of spent mineral matter is fed into the chamber at a point below the point where the stream with the larger amount of spent mineral matter is fed. This prevents surging of the elutriation system.

Abstract: In a coal gasification system using hot recycled inert heat transfer medium solids, before the solids are heated and recycled back to a gasification reactor, the solids are separated from ash and unreacted char. The unreacted char is thereafter burned producing a hot flue gas. The hot flue gas and separated inert heat transfer solids are thereafter mixed to reheat the solids. Two alternate forms of multiple bed solids heating arrangements are described. One uses countercurrent slowly moving beds. The other uses countercurrent fluidized beds. The slow moving bed arrangement is preferred.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a mixture of carbon dioxdie and ethane derived from a prior separation stage. The separation is accomplished by liquid-liquid extraction of a liquefied azeotrope of carbon dioxide and ethane with a liquid hydrocarbon having at least three carbon atoms, that is, propane, or a heavier hydrocarbon, or a mixture of hydrocarbons. The liquid-liquid extraction unit may be preceded by distillation of a carbon dioxide-ethane mixture to form the azeotrope. The ethane and extraction hydrocarbon may be separated in a subsequent distillation stage. The method is useful in carbon dioxide separation facilities where it is desirable to recover ethane that would otherwise be lost.

Abstract: In chromatography, the weight percent of higher boiling hydrocarbons is estimated by comparing areas under the certain segments of chromatograms. This procedure is subject to both human and equipment errors. A supplemental procedure for measuring the percent of higher boiling point hydrocarbons is disclosed. This procedure is specially related to chromatography and uses gradual heating and inert gas vaporization of the lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the sample material. In the procedure, a sample of the same hydrocarbon tested in the chromatograph is weighed and is heated to the same temperature as used in the chromatograph while flowing inert gas, e.g. helium, past the sample. After reaching this temperature, gas flow is continued for at least eight minutes. The residual sample is weighed and the difference used to determine and check the chromatograph estimation. The procedure may be checked with a calibrated sample of hydrocarbons boiling at and below the final maximum test temperature.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device for collecting solar radiation and converting it to electrical energy has a luminescent collector shaped in a way that maintains collecting area efficiency while allowing the photovoltaic cell to be entirely shadowed or protected from the direct rays of solar energy. The shape of the luminescent collector is also especially suited to air cooling and to placement of insulation between the collector surface and the cell. The collector has a first extension which receives and absorbs the light energy and at least one side extension which extends away from the sun collecting part of the collector. The side extension or extensions conduct the collected light energy to the protected cell or cells. For example, the luminescent collector may have an inverted U-shape or L-shape. A photovoltaic cell is coupled to the side extension, preferably at the end surface of the side extension.