Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for use in a flammable fluid distribution facility where a tanker truck or tanker ship onloads the flammable fluid and transports it to one or more locations. The present invention includes pumps for pumping the flammable fluid into the tanker and a monitor which monitors the tanker at the distribution facility to sense the presence and the strength of an electrostatic field and providing a field signal representative of the field strength of the electrostatic field. Circuitry connected to the monitor and to the pumps stops the pumping of the flammable fluid into the tanker when the field signal from the monitor indicates an unsafe strength of the electrostatic field.

Abstract: An improvement to a conventional one transmitter coil-two receiver coil dielectric well logging sonde permits the well logging sonde to have deeper penetration of the earthen formation when measuring dielectric constants. The improvement includes increased spacing between the receiver coils and the transmitter coil and operation of the transmitter coil at a higher power level.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting metallic elements to metallic oxalates in the presence of carbon dioxide includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. A non-aqueous electrolyte slurry, which includes a metal element, solvent and salt, is provided in a manner so that some of the slurry is in contact with the second membrane. Both membranes are illuminated and electrical voltage is provided across the electrolyte solutions and the electrolyte slurry in a manner so that there is one electrode in another electrolyte solution and another electrode in the electrolyte slurry so as to cause a reaction between the carbon dioxide at the second membrane and the electrolyte slurry to produce the metallic oxalate.

Abstract: A well logging system and method of the present invention determines the dielectric constant and/or conductivity of earth formations some of which have fluid invasion. The system and method of the present invention include the transmission of electromagnetic energy into the earth formations from a first location in a borehole in the formations at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Electromagnetic energy is received by receivers at three locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the location of the transmission of the electromagnetic energy. The receivers provide signals representative of the received electromagnetic energy. The dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the earth formations are determined in accordance with the signals from the three receivers.

Abstract: The system and the method of the present invention for the in-situ retorting of a hydrocarbon stratum, having a borehole traversing it, with electrical energy at a radio frequency (hereinafter referred to as rf energy) includes apparatus for conducting the rf energy from an rf energy source down a borehole. The apparatus has an outer conductor and inner conductor. A first plurality of electrodes is inserted into the hydrocarbon stratum. A second plurality of electrodes spatially related to the first plurality of electrodes, is also inserted into a hydrocarbon stratum. A first conductive device makes contact between the outer conductor of the apparatus and the first plurality of electrodes. A second conductive device makes electrical contact between the inner conductor of the apparatus and the second plurality of electrodes so that when the rf source provides the rf energy, the rf energy is applied acorss that portion of the hydrocarbon stratum between the two pluralities of electrodes.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the signal to noise ratio of seismic data includes the steps of repeatedly obtaining, from at least one array of seismic detectors, analog signals representative of sensed vibrations or pressure waves. Each analog signal is converted to discrete digital values on a time correlation basis until a predetermined quantity of analog signals have been converted. In each time correlation, the two most positive digital values and the two most negative digital values are removed. The remaining values for each time correlation are averaged so as to provide a digital representation of the analog signals.

Abstract: A system, which controls the content of an impurity in a crude oil stream, includes an injector which injects a demulsifier into a stream of produced wet crude oil in response to a control signal. A three-phase separator receives the produced crude oil with demulsifier and partially separates produced water and gas from the crude oil to provide a separated wet crude oil stream. Apparatus mixes wash water in with the separated crude oil stream in accordance with a control signal to provide a crude oil/wash water stream. A dehydrator removes substantial amount of water from the crude oil/wash water stream to provide a dehydrated crude oil stream. A monitor monitors the content of a predetermined type of impurity in the dry crude oil stream and provides a corresponding impurity content signal to control apparatus. The control apparatus provides the first and second control signals in accordance with the signal from the monitor so as to control the impurity's content of the dry crude oil stream.

Abstract: A method for providing a signal respresentative of undesired water flow behind well casing in a producing well includes locating a well tool sized and adapted for passage through a well bore having a source of high energy neutrons at least some of which have sufficient energy to cause a nuclear reaction O.sup.16 (n,p) N.sup.16 and at least three (3) gamma ray detectors spatially arranged in a predetermined manner with said source and each other in a well bore at a depth to be investigated. The environs of the bore hole are irradiated with high energy neutrons from said source. The gamma ray detectors detect gamma rays resulting from the decay of the unstable isotope N.sup.16 comprising a portion of any undesired behind casing water flow present. Count signals representative of the detection are generated. The count signals are combined according to a first predetermined relationship to derive at least two net count signals for two of the three detectors.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to a station at a remote location from a distant computer which communicates at a predetermined rate prior to said improvement by way of telephone lines. A modem is connected to the telephone line which converts signals carried by the telephone lines to signals suitable for use with a controller and converts signals from a controller to signals suitable to be carried by the telephone lines. There are at least two controllers, each controller is connected to a plurality of terminals. Apparatus connects the modem to the controllers which derives a set of signals for each controller in accordance with the signals from the modem and derives a set of signals for the modem from signals provided by the controllers in a manner so that the remote station communicates with the computer at substantially a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method which evaluates at least one subject element includes detecting radiation from a plurality of elements including the subject element. Data pulses are provided which are representative of the detected radiation. A spectrum is derived from the data pulses and a shift of the spectrum is determined. The subject element is evaluated in accordance with the energy level of data pulses occurring in a region of interest associated with the subject element which are derived from with the spectrum and the determined shift of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method for measuring temperatures of a hydrocarbon stratum subjected to RF electromagnetic energy includes in one embodiment sensing the temperature at different positions within an inner conductor of an applicator used to radiate the RF electromagnetic energy into the hydrocarbon stratum. In another embodiment, the temperature measurements are made from a borehole which is utilized to obtain hydrocarbon fluids resulting from the retorting of the hydrocarbon stratum in which the sensing is done in different positions within the producing borehole and in the vicinity of the hydrocarbon stratum. Electrical signals representative of the sensed temperatures are provided. The electrical signals are conducted from the sensing positions to the surface of the earth. An RF voltage which combines with the electrical signals is decoupled from the electrical signals. An indication of the temperatures is provided in accordance with the decoupled electrical signals.

Abstract: A core analyzer includes a test cell containing a core of earthen material. The core has a length suitable for monitoring fluid moving through the core. Apparatus provides at least two fluids to the test cell in such a manner that a first fluid fills the core in the test cell and a second fluid displaces at least a portion of the first fluid. Other apparatus uses nuclear magnetic resonance to monitor the saturation of the core with the first fluid and to monitor the displacing movement of the second fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for the carbonylation of nitrobenzene or 2-5 dinitrotoluene with carbon dioxide to provide a product includes a housing which contains an electrolyte solution having a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a supporting electrolyte. A membrane divides the housing into two sections while permitting ions to move between the two sections. Carbon dioxide and nitrobenzene or 2-5 dinitrotoluene are provided to the housing. A d.c. voltage is provided across the electrolyte solution in the two sections of the housing, to cooperate in a reaction of the carbon dioxide, the nitrobenzene or the 2-5 dinitrotoluene and the electrolyte solution to provide a chemical product.

Abstract: An improved consistometer which continuously measures the consistency of a stream of material from apparatus manufacturing the material includes a resilient blade rotated in the stream of material and which is rotated about an axis that is parallel to the direction of flow of the stream of material. A reference blade is rotated in synchronism with the resilient panel. A pair of detectors are arranged with the blade in the manner so that each detector detects the passage of a corresponding blade and provides a corresponding electrical signal. A circuit connected to the detectors provides a start pulse and a stop pulse in accordance with the signals from the detectors and not to noise. A clock provides timing pulses. A network connected to the start and stop pulse circuit and to the clock determines the consistency of the material in accordance with the start and stop pulses and the timing pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing oxalic acid to a product includes a cell. A separator which separates the cell into two chambers; a catholyte chamber and an anolyte chamber. Each chamber has an inlet and an outlet. A porous cathode having a catalyst is arranged within the catholyte chamber so that a catholyte entering the inlet of the catholyte chamber will pass through the cathode. A porous anode is arranged within the anolyte section so that an electrolyte entering the inlet of the anolyte section will pass through the anode and exit through the outlet of anolyte section. A source provides the catholyte which is a mixture of oxalic acid and an electrolyte to the inlet of the catholyte chamber while another source provides the electrolyte to the inlet of the anolyte chamber. A d.c. voltage is provided between the cathode and the anode so as to cooperate in the reduction of oxalic acid within the porous cathode to a product which exits the catholyte chamber by way of its outlet.

Abstract: A method of two dimensional chemical flood testing includes evacuating a porous medium contained in a test cell. The porous medium in the test cell is irradiated with a beam of microwave energy at a plurality of predetermined locations on said test cell. The microwave energy that has passed through the porous medium at each location is detected at the location. The porous medium in the test cell is filled with brine. The irradiating and detecting steps are repeated, the porous medium is then flooded with crude oil, or a substitute, and again the irradiating and detecting steps are repeated. The porous medium is flooded with brine and again the irradiating and detecting steps are repeated. A calibration curve for each location is derived from the detected microwave energy at the location from the prior irradiating and detecting steps.

Abstract: A method which protects an RF applicator during the in-situ RF retorting of a hydrocarbon stratum from a borehole which traverses the hydrocarbon stratum including lining that portion of the borehole traversing the hydrocarbon stratum with a non-conductive high temperature material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to at least one useful product includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. Water provides hdyrogen ions, which participate in the reduction of the carbon dioxide, via a separator. In operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited photosensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to a second redox solution and thence to the carbon dioxide in the second membrane thereby, in cooperation with the hydrogen ions, reducing at least some of the carbon dioxide at a surface of the second membrane to provide at least one product.

Abstract: A method of determining the oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of a core of earthen material which includes providing two types of liquids to the core in a manner so that the liquids mix to form a two phase liquid which moves through the core. The core is irradiated with microwave energy while the liquid is in the core. A received energy signal is generated in accordance with the microwave energy that has passed through the core. A liquid pressure drop along a predetermined length of the core is sensed and a representative pressure drop signal is provided. The oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of the core are derived in accordance with the flow rate of the liquid, the received energy signal and the pressure drop signal. The liquid flow rate may be either sensed or the liquid may be provided at a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for multiplexing ancillary devices in a streamer cable towed by a boat in ocean seismic operation, in which the cable includes a plurality of ancillary devices located throughout the cable. The apparatus includes a source providing step pulses located on the boat. Also located on the boat is a circuit providing control signals and a network providing control voltages. A plurality of series connected control pulse circuits are located in the streamer cable with the first control pulse circuit of the series being connected to the step pulse source. The control pulse circuits are responsive to the step pulses for providing a plurality of control pulses in a predetermined sequence. An energizing voltage source located on the boat provides a square wave energizing voltage. A plurality of switching networks are located throughout the cable with each switching network being connected to a corresponding ancillary device.