Abstract: A bidirectional metal-to-metal seal of material composition with low modulus of elasticity and yield strength which is gall resistant and designed to seal against fluid pressure in the annulus between concentric cylindrical members. The seal comprises an annular body of U-shape and radial cross section with an annular base and a pair of coaxial sealing lips integral therewith. An annular bridge of similar composition is inserted in the gap between the sealing lips and fluid pressure in the annulus is cemented to the gap by recesses in the inner wall of one of the sealing lips. The exterior surface of the one lip is provided with a pair of axially spaced circumferential flanges, the radial extremities of which provide annular sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A tree running tool is provided which has a means for actuating a latch for latching a side valve tree to a wellhead. Also disclosed is a tree running tool having an external axially movable actuator, preferably in the form of a sliding piston sleeve which is capable of exerting great forces. Also disclosed is a tree running tool having an external connector unit for connecting the tree running tool to a side valve tree. The connector unit is preferably mounted to the sliding piston sleeve and is for axially mechanically connecting the tree running tool to a linkage extending upwardly from the side valve tree.

Abstract: A control apparatus, for measuring pressure in relation to a rotary screw compressor with capacity control means and a prime mover, including a pressure sensor to monitor the prime mover manifold pressure, and a series of relays which when tripped by the pressure sensor will engage a pressure mechanism to engage the capacity control means on the compressor. The pressure mechanism may be a hydraulic or a pneumatic pressure mechanism and the apparatus may further include a second pressure sensor to monitor the inlet gas pressure to the compressor and a third pressure sensor to monitor discharge pressure of the gas compressor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to control of the presence of nickel and/or iron in a caustic solution using at least two magnets to remove about one third of the nickel and/or iron present in a caustic solution. The method involves passing cell liquor through a first magnet at a flow rate of about 600-900 gallons per minutes removing a significant amount of nickel and/or iron from the cell liquor forming first fluid, then evaporating a significant amount of water out of that first fluid and raising the temperature of that first fluid to above 330 F., then cooling the more concentrated caustic solution to a temperature of between about 75 and 100 F.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two flowlines, one having an external flanged end and the other an enlarged flaring portion at one end. A ball with an axial flow passage is seated in receptacle cavities formed in said ends and in fluid-tight sealing engagement therewith. A collar is sleeved and clamped about the flared end of the second flowline by bolts which connect the first flowline flange with the collar. Piston drive means are provided for driving against the collar to stretch the bolts by an amount sufficient to release the second flowline member and allow limited articulated movement of the second flowline without compromising the seal effectiveness of the joint.

Abstract: The invention is a collar stiffening means comprising a base with two surfaces wherein the base has depicted upon one of its two surfaces one or more geometric shapes and upon the other of its two surfaces, an adhesive with a removably affixed cover so that the adhesive side of the base can be pressed upon the underside of a collar for stiffening the collar, thereby improving the appearance of the collar.

Abstract: A method of applying a thermally insulating coating to a pipe (10) or the like, comprises the steps of applying a thermally insulating foam material (14) to the pipe in a plurality of discrete segments over the surface area of the pipe, and applying an outer protective coating of water-proof elastomeric material (18) which bonds to the pipe between said segments, fills the gaps therebetween and forms an outer layer encapsulating the thermally insulating foam. The foam may be applied as annular bands extending around the circumference of the pipe, applied by ribbon pouring. The encapsulation of the foam (14) by the elastomer (18) allows the use of foams such as polyurethane foam having poor resistance to water ingress under hydrostatic pressure, since any ingress will be limited to individual encapsulated foam segments. Additional coating layers may include an anti-corrosion coat (12), a high temperature barrier layer, an impact shock absorbing coat or intermediate elastomer layers.

Abstract: The method involves the steps of: exposing a cell liquor containing metal to a first magnet, magnetically removing up to about one third of said metal present in the cell liquor, evaporating a significant amount of water out of that fluid, and raising the temperature of that fluid to above 220 Fahrenheit and adding a small amount of sodium borohydride (NaBH.sup.4) to suppress the reaction of the caustic solution with metal in the manufacturing process, evaporating and flashing off more water from the caustic solution, cooling the solution after evaporation and then flowing it through and around a second magnet to magnetically removing an additional amount of metal the solution, filtering the solution and then magnetically removing an additional amount of metal from said solution forming a final caustic solution having 40-55% by weight caustic.