Abstract: A nanoflotation system used to separate suspended solids or large settling or floating solids from water, waste water or liquids. This is accomplished through the use of submerged membranes, in combination with a number of design components comprising froth flotation, gravity settling, pre coating of the submerged membranes, spacing, of the membranes to facilitate flotation of solids to the surface or to the bottom of the containment chamber holding the submerged membranes, and membrane structures which use large diameter hollow fiber or tubular membranes and/or large pore opening membrane materials.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating liquids containing solids. Liquid is introduced into the bore of a conduit having an injection site. The liquid has a flow direction in the bore and fills the bore at locations upstream of the injection site. Froth is injected into the liquid at the injection site. The injected froth disrupts the flow of the liquid and creates a froth-liquid mixture downstream from the injection site. The froth-liquid mixture exhibits turbulent flow in the flow direction and corresponding high-intensity mixing of the froth-liquid mixture. Solids may attach to surfaces of bubbles. The attachment of the solids may be promoted by the turbulent flow of the froth-liquid mixture and the corresponding high-intensity mixing. The froth may comprise a charged material that creates a charged environment which further promotes the attachment.

Abstract: A vane-type separator with pockets for removing solid and liquid particles entrained in a gaseous stream. Vanes are fabricated from a plurality of modular components which may be assembled to form vanes of varying lengths. The vanes include pockets with rounded leading edges to encourage particulate to impinge on the vane and move into the pockets by surface tension and aerodynamic forces. The vane-type separator allows for a higher gas stream velocity before particulate is found downstream of the vane-type separator.

Abstract: A portable workstation has a closed position and an operating position and can be easily installed or removed by one person. A portable workstation has two walls that are hingedly connected to either side of an elongated member with a foldable work surface hingedly connected to both walls, the work surface being shaped to provide a continuous work surface when unfolded. The workstation also has one or more foldable shelves. Preferably, all of the components of the workstation remain connected to the workstation in the closed position and in the operating position, and no assembly is required. One person can install or remove the workstation from a work area without tools.

Abstract: A method for creating lengthwise extending lengths of pipe having an undulating or helical configuration symmetrically formed about a centerline of the pipe includes the steps of heating a sheet of material, feeding the sheet progressively to a succession of stamping stations at which an undulating shape is progressively imparted to the material until at the final station the desired final configuration is achieved in a lengthwise extending half section of the finished pipe, and securing one half section of pipe to another half section of pipe along lengthwise extending edges thereof to form the finished pipe. The undulating pipe of helical configuration finds particular use in the formation of pipelines intended to convey slurries of material such as bituminous material mined from oilsands. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A heat exchanging apparatus including a gas fuelled flameless heater and a heat exchanger loop. The heat exchanger loop includes a heat absorbing section which is contained within the flameless heater so that the flameless heater provides a heat source for the heat exchanger loop, and the heat exchanger loop further includes a heat transferring section for transferring heat from the heat exchanger loop to a heat sink.

Abstract: A playing structure in one embodiment comprises a plurality of playing structure modules arranged in an array. Each of the playing structure modules includes a re-orientatable top having at least two major sides, each of the at least two major sides constituting a playing surface. The playing surface on each major side of the re-orientatable top depicts a different scene. A support frame supports the re-orientatable top above the surface on which the support frame is located in a manner such that one of the playing surfaces is upwardly presented. The re-orientatable tops of the playing structure modules in the array are first arrangeable such that the scene over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules is continuous and visually fluid.

Abstract: A playing structure includes a plurality of playing structure modules connectable together to form an array having a generally continuous, visually fluid, three-dimensional playing surface. Each playing structure module has a reversible top to allow the topography of the playing surface to be changed. The top of each playing structure module has a different three-dimensional topography on either side thereof. Each playing structure module may have a different or the same top. The playing surfaces have a coloured landscape painted thereon to depict lakes, countrysides, roadways etc. and the like. The topography of the playing surfaces and the painted landscapes are designed so that the certain symmetries exist.

Abstract: A process for treating bitumen froth containing mixtures of a hydrocarbon component, water and solids, comprises heating said bitumen froth to a temperature in the range of about 80.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., preferably in the range of 100.degree. C. to 180.degree. C., under pressure of about 150 to about 5000 kPa, preferably in the range of 800 to about 2000 kPa, sufficient to maintain said hydrocarbon component in a liquid phase, passing said heated froth into a plurality of separation stages in series, and gravity settling the solids and water from the hydrocarbon layer while maintaining said elevated temperature and pressure. A diluent miscible with the bitumen may be mixed with the bitumen froth in an amount of 0 to about 60 per cent by weight of the bitumen, preferably in an amount of 15 to 50 per cent by weight of the bitumen in a mixing stage for preconditioning of the froth prior to each gravity separation stage.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for separation of water and solids from oil sands froth in which heated froth is fed into a gravity settling vessel at a level below a bitumen-water interface established between a bitumen froth layer floating on a quiescent body of water whereby water and solids contained in the froth separate from the froth stream, the oil rises to accumulate in the bitumen froth layer, and the solids fall by gravity to the bottom of the gravity settling vessel. The apparatus comprises an injector manifold suspended horizontally within the vessel below the bitumen-water interface, said injector manifold having a plurality of equispaced, inwardly facing openings for the inward discharge of oil sands froth into the body of water. The injector ring manifold may also have a plurality of outwardly facing openings for both inward and outward discharge of froth.

Abstract: A threaded sleeve valve to facilitate the removal of water from gas wells having two or more gas productive zones disposed vertically along their bore. The valve is adapted to form a connection between a segregation packer and a well tubing string. In use, the valve and the segregation packer are sunk in the well to a position intermediate an upper gas productive zone and a lower gas productive zone. During normal gas production, the valve is closed and gas is collected from both zones, the gas from the lower zone passing through a vertical passage defined by the valve and continuous with the interior of the well tubing. Incidental water accumulated above the segregation packer can be removed by opening the valve and using the gas pressure of the lower productive zone to force the accumulated water upwards to the wellhead and out of the well. Once the well bore has been purged of incidental water, the valve is re-closed and normal production resumes.