Abstract: A method for sweep improvement during enhanced oil recovery in a subterranean oil-bearing formation concerns the generation of foam by the dispersion of the displacing fluid in an aqueous solution of a mixed surfactant system. The mixed surfactant system comprises a lignosulfonate foaming agent and a surfactant foaming agent.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a PVA based substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, aldehyde, and water. The gel-forming compositions are preheated to effect a predetermined amount of partial crosslinking of the PVA based substance and the aldehyde thereby enabling a lower aldehyde concentration to be used which in turn produces a more stable gel. The gel-forming compositions are useful for retarding the flow of fluids in subterranean formations. For example, for retarding the flow of water in high permeability channels in oil reservoirs. The gels and method of use herein provided are particularly useful in waterflood operations to increase the sweep efficiency of the oil recovery process.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formation encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition is provided comprising a PVA based substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, an aldehyde operable for crosslinking with the PVA based substance, and water. The gel-forming composition is useful for reducing steam channeling in subterranean formations. For example, a method is provided for diverting the flow of injected steam in nonproductive steam channels in an oil reservoir during waterflood and steam cycling operations.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formations encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: A rapid setting gel-forming composition is provided comprising a first substance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, and aldehyde, and water, which is useful in preventing the loss of circulation fluids in well drilling, completion of workover operations. A combination process is also provided using a slower setting gel-forming composition for retarding the flow of waters or brines in high permeable non-productive channels in combination with a subsequent acidizing step for increasing the permeability of low porous structure in subterranean formations. The combination process is particularly useful in waterflood operations to increase the sweep efficiency of the oil recovery process while improving the flow oil and drive water in the productive parts of the reservoir.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing benzene carboxylic acids from an aromatic material, especially coal, by the oxidation of the aromatic material in an aqueous alkaline mixture containing an aliphatic organic acid promoter agent with a source of gaseous oxygen. Use of the aliphatic organic acid promoter agent results in a surprising and unexpected increase in the benzene carboxylic acid yield which is higher than that obtained without the promoter agent.A finely divided coal, potassium carbonate, water, and aliphatic carboxylic acid promoter agent are charged to a feed tank (10) where they are mixed with an agitator (14). A slurry pump (18) pumps the mixture through a preheater (20) to an autoclave (30). Air is continuously fed to the autoclave (30) by a gas compressor (34). The coal slurry is oxidized in the autoclave (30) while being agitated by a mixer (36). Gaseous products, and in particular carbon dioxide, is continuously removed from the autoclave (30) through a vent conduit (42).

Abstract: In-situ hydrogenation of an underground coal formation is carried out by fracturing the formation and sealing it, to provide an in-situ reactor site. Then a liquid solvent stream and a gaseous hydrogen stream are introduced into the fractured formation, allowing reaction and conversion of the coal to lighter, hydrogenated components.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol-aldehyde gel having a high water content and low degree of crosslinking is provided which has improved stability. The gel can be used to retard the flow of water in subterranean formation encountered in hydrocarbon production. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of forming the gel in-situ in the pores of subterranean zones thereby retarding or blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: Aqueous ammonium phosphate solutions can be produced using an apparatus comprising: a fluid reactor having a plurality of inlets at one end thereof suitable for the admission of phosphoric acid, ammonia and water, the inlets being so positioned as to provide for rapid ammoniation of the phosphoric acid with the evolution of heat, to produce a reaction product mixture containing a liquid portion and steam, the fluid reactor having an exit for the expulsion of the reaction products mixture at the other end thereof, by steam generated by the heat liberated in the ammoniation process; a columnar vessel having an outlet at one end and, at the other end, enclosing the exit of the fluid reactor, a plurality of barriers obturating the columnar vessel in a spaced-apart relationship, and having a plurality of apertures therein for the passage of reaction products mixture therethrough; an inlet quench device connected to the columnar vessel for introduction therein of a liquid aqueous quenching fluid; and, a device in c

Abstract: Phosphoric acid and ammonia are reacted together with additions of water when necessary in a reaction vessel to form a molten entrained stream reaction mixture to which a water quench is added to produce an ammonium polyphosphate liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pyrolyzing agglomerative coals which comprises introducing a fluidized bed of hot char particles into a pyrolysis chamber or reactor, and injecting upwardly into the chamber a high velocity jet of agglomerative coal particles in a carrier gas, the fluidized hot char particles surrounding the high velocity coal jet and heating the coal particles to yield gaseous products and char. The hot char particles in the fluidized state and disposed around the coal jet are entrained in the upwardly expanding coal jet and mixed with the coal particles, so that by the time the coal particles contact the pyrolysis chamber wall, such coal particles being heated by the char have passed through the tacky state and are no longer tacky and do not adhere to the chamber wall. The gaseous product and char formed during pyrolysis are rapidly removed from the pyrolysis chamber, and such char can be separated, e.g.

Abstract: A process for transfer by extraction, of at least one species from a fluid phase to a first liquid phase receptive to such species, comprises intimately contacting the fluid phase with an emulsion of the first liquid phase in a second liquid phase which is permeable with respect to such species and substantially immiscible in the first liquid phase. The emulsion is stabilized by the second liquid phase containing at least one substantially insoluble particulate solid which is substantially non-reactive to constituents contained in each of such phases in an amount sufficient to form a stable emulsion. Transfer of the species is from the fluid phase through the second solids--containing liquid phase to the first liquid phase.In one embodiment, the first liquid phase is lean with respect to the species to be extracted. In another embodiment, mass action is utilized to maintain a driving force by counter-transport of a different ion.

Abstract: In a process for purifying an aqueous phosphoric acid containing up to about 55% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 by weight and dissolved magnesium, iron and aluminum ions, wherein (a) said phosphoric acid is contacted with an organic extractant containing a water immiscible organic sulfonic acid to form: a loaded organic extractant phase containing the organic sulfonic acid, extracted ionic metallic impurities and extracted P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values, and a purified aqueous phosphoric acid; (b) the purified aqueous phosphoric acid phase is separated from the loaded organic extractant phase; (c) the separated loaded organic extractant phase is contacted with a solution phase containing calcium ions (e.g., calcium nitrate), under conditions whereby at least some of said extracted ionic metallic impurities (e.g., Mg.sup.+2, Al.sup.+3, Fe.sup.

Abstract: A process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liuqid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: A fluosilicate material is added to a suspension of lime in water heated to a temperature at or near its boiling point to form a solid calcium fluoride product in which the silicon present in the fluosilicate material is in chemical combination with calcium. The amount of calcium in the suspension is in excess of stoichiometric for conversion of CaF.sub.2 of all of the fluorine in the fluosilicate and is sufficient to form chemical compounds of calcium and silicon from silicon in the fluosilicate.

Abstract: In a process for purifying an aqueous phosphoric acid containing up to about 55% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 by weight and dissolved magnesium, iron and aluminum ions, wherein (a) said phosphoric acid is contacted with an organic extractant containing a water immiscible organic sulfonic acid to form: an organic extractant phase containing the organic sulfonic acid, extracted ionic metallic impurities and extracted P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values, and a purified aqueous phosphoric acid; and (b) the purified aqueous phosphoric acid phase is separated from the organic extractant phase; the improvement comprising (i) contacting said separated organic extractant phase with a solution phase containing calcium ions (e.g., calcium nitrate), under conditions whereby at least some of said extracted ionic metallic impurities (e.g., Mg.sup.+2, Al.sup.+3, Fe.sup.+3) are replaced by calcium and are transferred to said solutions phase; and (ii) separating said solution phase from the contacted extractant phase.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining fresh water from salt water such as sea water, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Relatively hot fresh water is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a colder saline stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of glass, obtained by froth flotation from shredded municipal trash; more particularly, the present invention relates to a process for removing aluminum oxide, especially corundum, and silicon carbide particles or stones, of a size greater than 60 mesh, as impurities from the glass. The process comprises subjecting the froth-floated glass to magnetic separation, especially high intensity magnetic separation, such as that produced by employing a high intensity induced roll magnetic separator. Since such impurities function unexpectedly as magnetics in relation to glass, the refractory impurities are removed from the glass during such magnetic separation. The resulting purified glass can then be employed as glass cullet for production of finished glass articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for reacting phosphoric acid and ammonia to form a molten reaction mixture, to which water can be added to produce an ammonium polyphosphate product, comprises:(A) fluid reactor means having a plurality of inlet means suitable for administration of reactants and positioned to provide for rapid ammoniation of the phosphoric acid with evolution of heat and aperatures to the other end providing exit means for the reaction mixture, said reactor means being adapted to the expulsion of the reaction mixture by steam generated in situ;(B) means for separating the steam from the liquid product solution and removal of said steam from the apparatus; and(C) columnar vessel means having outlet means at one end and enclosing at the other end the exit means of said fluid reactor means and a plurality of barrier means partially blocking said columnar vessel means in spaced-apart relationship and having aperatures therein for passage of reaction product therethrough and inlet means suitable for introduction of a