Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing dissolved organics from an aqueous composition, said composition comprising water, carbon dioxide and dissolved organics, and said composition having a pH of 6.5 or less and an inlet organics concentration. The process comprises the steps of feeding said aqueous composition to a centrifugal separation zone, preferably to a hydrocyclone, depressurizing said composition in said centrifugal separation zone to regasify at least a portion of said carbon dioxide. An aqueous product stream is removed from the centrifugal separation zone wherein the concentration of said organics is less than said inlet organics concentration. The process is particularly useful in the cleanup of industrial wastewater, and also for removing organics from water produced in petroleum production operations.

Abstract: A method for improving the sweep efficiency of gas or steam flooding operations by reducing the permeability of relatively high permeability thief zones of an oil bearing subterranean reservoir having heterogeneous and/or fracture permeability and that is penetrated by at least one well is disclosed. A controlled quantity of a surfactant is injected into a high-permeability zone of a reservoir. Controlled quantities of a gas and a subsequent surfactant are then injected, simultaneously or alternatively into the same well, so that a controlled amount of foam having a controlled quality is generated in the high permeability zone, thereby reducing permeability. Following foam emplacement, a chase gas may be injected, and the steps of injecting surfactant and gas may be repeated as necessary to lower the gas-oil ration of non-problem offset producing wells to a preset limit.

Abstract: Provided are lubricating oil compositions which contain (a) a mixture comprising an oil-soluble alkali metal compound and certain polyalkenyl succinimide or (b) alkali metal salts of said polyalkenyl succinimides.

Abstract: Organotin hydrides are effective in retarding oxidative skin formation in asphalts maintained at elevated temperature.

Abstract: Methylene and oxymethylene bis-esters are produced by the reaction of an aliphatic ester of a carboxylic acid, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Group VIII noble transition metal compound, an iodide or bromide promoter, and a proton donor.

Abstract: A functional fluid comprising an effective amount of a soluble streaming potential-inhibiting metal salt; an epoxide; and a major amount of a phosphate ester; wherein the metal salt is compatible with the epoxide component of the functional fluid at a temperature of about 260.degree. F. and the functional fluid has a wall current of less than 0.15 microamperes.

Abstract: In an inverted nine-spot pattern in an areally homogeneous reservoir, oil recovery is enhanced when the completion of the sidewells is restricted to the lower 20% of the reservoir. An inverted nine-spot pattern has a steam injection well at the center of the pattern and production wells at each of the four corners of the pattern and at the center of each side of the pattern. Steam is injected at the center well, and oil is produced from sidewells and corner wells.

Abstract: A method for using mode converted P- or S- wave data to delineate the surface of an anomalous geologic structure such as a salt dome is disclosed. Seismic wavefields are propagated from near the surface, through the earth, and through the anomalous geologic unit, so that a wavefield encounters the geologic unit at a non-normal incidence angle to generate a converted S- wave. Incidence angles of the direct arrival and converted waves are then determined. The intersection point of each converted S- wave raypath with each direct arrival raypath is determined, to provide a length of the raypaths. Travel times along the raypaths are determined, and a point on the interface of the anomalous geologic unit with the surrounding earth is determined by comparing raypath travel time differences with the recorded arrival time differences.

Abstract: Satellite-altimetry measurements of ocean water height are calibrated by measuring an ocean water height by using satellite-altimetry at one location during a time period, measuring another ocean water height during the same time period against a known reference on a fixed offshore structure at another location near the first location, and comparing these two sets of measurements. One way of measuring ocean water height against a known reference point on a fixed offshore structure is by measuring the time it takes for pulse of energy to travel from a transmitter at that reference point to the sea surface, and back to a receiver. Another way of measuring ocean water height against a known reference point is by using water-sensitive sensors placed on the fixed offshore structure at known distances from the known reference point.

Abstract: A method for preparing the zeolite SSZ-16 wherein the organic template used in the synthesis has the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 3, 4, or 5.

Abstract: A two-phase fluid is metered by injecting a surfactant into the two-phase fluid, homogenizing the fluid and surfactant with either a porous medium or an orifice plate to form a pseudo-single phase fluid, and metering the pseudo-single phase fluid. In one embodiment, both the injection of surfactant and the homogenization with either a porous medium or an orifice plate occur within one foot of where the pseudo-single phase fluid is metered. In another embodiment, the surfactant is injected at a wellhead and the metering occurs downhole.

Abstract: A process to reduce the concentration of dissolved polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in an aqueous composition, particularly a refinery waste water stream, by contacting the aqueous composition with a water insoluble inclusion agent comprising an anchored cyclodextrin, said cyclodextrin having an inclusion cavity diameter of at least about 10 angstroms, under conditions which facilitate the selective formation of an inclusion complex between a cyclodextrin and a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording acoustical and seismic signals at the ocean bottom with minimal noise. A seafloor seismic recorder couples geophones to the water bottom, stores the seismic data, and is retrievable. The device is comprised of a chassis, a ballast ring, an electronics control package, a geophone package, a buoy means, and a leg extension means. The geophone package is disconnectably connected to the portion of the control package housing, so that the geophone package can remain coupled to the seafloor, when the control package and chassis rise toward the surface for a short distance. The buoy means permits the ballast ring and geophone package to become embedded in the sediment upon impact, and allows the chassis, geophone package, and control package to rise to the surface upon release of the ballast ring.

Abstract: A human-portable geophysical energy source is disclosed having an earth-coupling element, a means for providing seismic energy operably connected to that earth-coupling element, a lower container and an upper container connected to the means for providing seismic energy, a framework that minimizes vibrations of the liquid by keeping the upper and lower containers inflexible when they are completely filled with liquid, and a hydraulic pump for filling and removing liquid from the containers. The lower container is located spatially between the earth-coupling element and the means for providing seismic energy. The upper container is located spatially above the means for providing seismic energy. The liquid provides mass to impart energy through the earth-coupling element and to maintain coupling with the earth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for prolonging the useful life of polymeric scale inhibitors or blends of non-polymeric and polymeric scale inhibitors injected within a formation. This method involves injecting an aqueous solution of polyquaternary amines into the formation. This solution of polyquaternary amines can be injected prior to, simultaneously with, or after the injection of the scale inhibitors. The scale inhibitors are preferably a blend of non-polymeric and polymeric scale inhibitors. Preferably, the polyquaternary amine is a poly-(dimethylamine-co-epichlorohydrin) or a poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride).

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention for optimizing recovery of petroleum from a subterranean, petroleum containing formation by improving the efficiency of a steam drive through a linear heat reduction schedule and a partial shut-in of the producing well after steam breakthrough. The linear heat reduction schedule and the partial shut-in to compensate for steam override results in maximized discounted net oil recovery with optimal utilization of steam generation capacity.

Abstract: A borehole televiewer is modified to provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio by utilizing a series of receivers arranged in a planar array configuration with respect to a centrally located transmitting transducer. The array covers at least a 90.degree. quadrant of the tool, extending approximately 45.degree. on either side of the transducer to allow the receivers to capture all primarily reflected signals, both the specular component as well as the vertical and horizontal components of the scattered reflections. The signal-to-noise ratio is further enhanced by the use of a noise-dependent timing means, as well as signal conditioning and detection circuits for each of the receivers in the array.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a coke contaminated reforming catalyst comprising platinum on a molecular sieve, said process consisting essentially of contacting said catalyst with a halogen-free oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of less than 780.degree. F. for a sufficient period of time such that the aromatization activity is restored to within 20.degree. F. of the activity said catalyst possessed at the start of the previous run cycle.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit equipped with multiple feed injection points along the length of the riser is operated such that all of the fresh feed is charged to one of different feed injection points, depending on the ratio of light distillate (gasoline) to middle distillate (light catalytic gas oil) that is desired in the product slate. When all of the fresh feed is charged to one of the upper injection points in the riser in order to increase middle distillate yield, the unconverted slurry oil (650.degree. F.+material) can be recycled to a location below the injection point of the fresh feed so as to increase conversion to middle distillate while lowering the activity of the catalyst (via coke deposition) for single pass conversion of the fresh feed. Steam in excess of levels typically employed for dispersion is used at the bottom of the riser to lift the regenerated catalyst up to the feed injection points.

Abstract: A method of making a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the catalyst is prepared by mixing a peptized alumina support containing soluble Group IVB and Group VIII metal compounds with a solution containing a soluble Group VIB metal compound and a basic compound. The catalyst is used for hydrodenitrogenation and Ramsbottom Carbon Residue reduction of a hydrocarbon feedstock.