Patents Assigned to Benchmark Research & Technology
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Patent number: 7671753Abstract: System and method are disclosed for monitoring slurry from a central location and replenishing the slurry as needed. The method/system allows a slurry supplier to track various properties of the slurry, as well as monitor various aspects of the slurry storage and delivery system. When the volume of slurry at the remote location falls below a predetermined point, the slurry supplier can schedule both the production of the appropriate slurry and its timely delivery to the customer. Changes in the condition of existing slurry, as well as leaks and other malfunctions in the slurry storage system, may be promptly detected and the slurry supplier immediately notified so that corrective actions may be taken. Multiple slurry storage systems at several remote locations may be monitored simultaneously from the central location. Such an arrangement offers a complete, one-stop solution to customers whose businesses depend on a reliable supply of “field ready” slurry.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Benchmark Research & Technology, LLCInventors: E. Wayne Kinsey, III, Michael Miller, Howard Lee Harry, Gordon Randall Dixon
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Publication number: 20080046119Abstract: System and method are disclosed for monitoring slurry from a central location and replenishing the slurry as needed. The method/system allows a slurry supplier to track various properties of the slurry, as well as monitor various aspects of the slurry storage and delivery system. When the volume of slurry at the remote location falls below a predetermined point, the slurry supplier can schedule both the production of the appropriate slurry and its timely delivery to the customer. Changes in the condition of existing slurry, as well as leaks and other malfunctions in the slurry storage system, may be promptly detected and the slurry supplier immediately notified so that corrective actions may be taken. Multiple slurry storage systems at several remote locations may be monitored simultaneously from the central location. Such an arrangement offers a complete, one-stop solution to customers whose businesses depend on a reliable supply of “field ready” slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: Benchmark Research & Technology, LLCInventors: E. Wayne Kinsey, Michael Miller, Howard Lee Harry, Gordon Randall Dixon
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Publication number: 20070255431Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling an aquatic environment thus regulating the aquatic environment and maximizing the stability of the aquatic ecosystem. This system uses sensor and data fusion algorithms to perform system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics based on the output of sensors associated with the aquatic environment control devices. Based on the system anomaly analysis and/or predictive failure diagnostics, the system may continuously adjust the system parameters to maintain an efficient and stable aquatic environment, alert local or remote monitors of failed or impending failure of control devices. In addition, the system may present the system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics information at a local or remote location to enable the monitor to address any problems presented in situ.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: BENCHMARK RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventor: E. Wayne Kinsey
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Patent number: 7084096Abstract: A non-aqueous suspension including boron-containing particulates, a low molecular weight polyalkylene glycol and a suspension stabilizer is provided. Methods of crosslinking water soluble polymers and of fracturing a subterranean formation are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Benchmark Research & Technology, LLCInventors: William Franklin Harris, Jr., David Nigel Harry, Xiaoping Qiu
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Patent number: 6818597Abstract: Liquid water soluble polymer suspensions in non-aqueous solvents are extremely stable over long periods of time with minimum separation of the solvent and no hard packing of the dispersed water soluble polymer. The suspensions enable a user to rapidly add the suspension to water, being mixed at low speeds, without the formation of lumps or fisheyes and without generating fugitive dust in the process. The suspensions are environmentally safe and biodegradable. Unlike many other liquid polymer suspensions, the suspensions exhibit minimal oil or grease upon dilution. They contain no surfactants that can add to the oil and grease determination. The suspensions and the fluids produced by diluting the fluids to a working concentration of the water soluble polymer exhibit low toxicity to marine organisms and to humans. The suspensions can be manufactured from ingredients suitable for use in personal care applications such as cosmetics, shampoos and the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Benchmark Research & Technology, Inc.Inventor: William Franklin Harris
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Patent number: 6743756Abstract: Liquid suspensions of particles in non-aqueous solvents are extremely stable over long periods of time with minimum separation of the solvent and no hard packing of the dispersed particles. The suspensions enable a user to rapidly add the suspension to water and to mix at low speeds without generating fugitive dust in the process. In addition, a liquid dispersion can provide an easy to use liquid containing higher concentrations of the active dispersed phase than can be accomplished by simply preparing an aqueous solution of the dispersed phase. Alternatively, highly water-soluble particles may also be suspended which have poor storage, freeze/thaw, or heat/cool stability. In some cases, liquid dispersions can yield controlled release of the dispersed phase because the dispersed phase is not in aqueous solution. The suspensions are environmentally safe and biodegradable and may be used in environmentally sensitive applications, such as for oil well treating fluids for offshore areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology, Inc.Inventor: William Franklin Harris, Jr.
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Patent number: 6737386Abstract: A high temperture aqueous based zirconium (IV) crosslinked guar fracturing fluid having a pH from about 9 to about 12 includes a polymer solution and a zirconium (IV) crosslinking agent in an amount from about 0.1 PPTG to about 5 PPTG of the polymer solution. The polymer solution includes an aqueous fluid, natural guar gum in an amount from about 10 PPTG to about 100 PPTG of the aqueous fluid, a stabilizer in an amount from about 1 PPTG to about 50 PPTG of the aqueous fluid, a non-delayed alkaline buffer in an amount from about 1 PPTG to about 40 PPTG of the aqueous fluid, and a gelation delaying agent in an amount from about 0.25 PPTG to about 3.75 PPTG of the aqueous fluid, where those agents are combined to produce a fracturing fluid suitable to the purposes of hydraulically fracturing subterranean formations with static bottom-hole temperatures greater than 250° F.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology Inc.Inventors: Ralph Moorhouse, Lester E. Matthews
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Publication number: 20030078180Abstract: A composition of an aqueous, an aqueous acid, and an aqueous alkaline foaming additive (“foamer”) functions in a wide pH range and under conditions of salt, alcohol, and hydrocarbon contamination. The foaming additive (“foamer”) composition includes a mixture of a salt of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a polymer or combination of polymers, and either a water miscible solvent for the liquid foamer additive or a silicon compound for a substantially anhydrous foamer additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Benchmark Research & Technology, Inc.Inventors: Pablo Munoz, William Franklin Harris, David Brian Acker, Joel Farrell Siegel
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Publication number: 20020193256Abstract: Liquid suspensions of particles in non-aqueous solvents are extremely stable over long periods of time with minimum separation of the solvent and no hard packing of the dispersed particles. The suspensions enable a user to rapidly add the suspension to water and to mix at low speeds without generating fugitive dust in the process. In addition, a liquid dispersion can provide an easy to use liquid containing higher concentrations of the active dispersed phase than can be accomplished by simply preparing an aqueous solution of the dispersed phase. Alternatively, highly water-soluble particles may also be suspended which have poor storage, freeze/thaw, or heat/cool stability. In some cases, liquid dispersions can yield controlled release of the dispersed phase because the dispersed phase is not in aqueous solution. The suspensions are environmentally safe and biodegradable and may be used in environmentally sensitive applications, such as for oil well treating fluids for offshore areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: BENCHMARK RESEARCH and TECHNOLOGYInventor: William Franklin Harris
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Patent number: 6251838Abstract: A composition for delaying the cross-linking of water soluble polymer solutions includes a boron source suspended by an organophilic clay in a solution of a non-aqueous solvent. One process of manufacturing the composition includes the steps of first suspending the organophilic clay in the non-aqueous solvent and then suspending the boron source in the organophilic clay-non-aqueous solvent suspension. Another process of manufacturing composition includes the steps of first mixing the boron source and the organophilic clay to form a dry mixture and then suspending the dry mixture of the boron source and the organophilic clay in a non-aqueous solvent. In a method of hydraulically fracturing a formation, a water soluble polymer solution with a pH between about 8.5 and 12.5 and the boron source suspended by the organophilic clay in the solution of the non-aqueous solvent are pumped into the formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Benchmark Research & Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Moorhouse, Gong Chen
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Patent number: 6225264Abstract: A composition for delaying the cross-linking of water soluble polymer solutions includes a boron source suspended by an organophilic clay in a solution of a non-aqueous solvent. One process of manufacturing the composition includes the steps of first suspending the organophilic clay in the non-aqueous solvent and then suspending the boron source in the organophilic clay- non-aqueous solvent suspension. Another process of manufacturing composition includes the steps of first mixing the boron source and the organophilic clay to form a dry mixture and then suspending the dry mixture of the boron source and the organophilic clay in a non-aqueous solvent. In a method of hydraulically fracturing a formation, a water soluble polymer solution with a pH between about 8.5 and 12.5 and the boron source suspended by the organophilic clay in the solution of the non-aqueous solvent are pumped into the formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Benchmark Research & TechnologyInventors: Ralph Moorhouse, Gong Chen
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Patent number: 6171386Abstract: A cement composition includes cement, water in an amount from about 30% to 200% by weight of cement, and an interpolymer latex in an amount from about 10% to 50% by weight of cement. The interpolymer latex includes at least one conjugated diene monomer having 4 to 8 carbon atoms in an amount from about 5% to 95% by weight of the interpolymer latex, at least one vinyl aromatic monomer having 8 to 12 carbon atoms in an amount from about 5% to 95% by weight of the interpolymer latex, and a copolymerizable functional monomer in an amount from about 0.5% to 50% by weight of the interpolymer latex. A method of making a cement composition involves placing the above ingredients in a suitable mixer well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and mixing the ingredients until they form the cement composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Benchmark Research& Technology Inc.Inventor: Freddie Lynne Sabins
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Patent number: 5565513Abstract: A stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers comprises an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mixture of mineral spirits (commonly termed as naphtha) and a resin. Anhydrous boron compounds suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, anhydrous borax, anhydrous boric acid, or a mixture of both the anhydrous borax and anhydrous boric acid. Sparingly soluble borates suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, alkaline earth metal borates, alkali metal borates, or a mixture thereof. The mixture between the mineral spirits and resin produces a mineral spirits-resin solution. Alternatively, the mineral spirits may be replaced with a suitable oil which forms an oil-resin solution when mixed with the resin. The oil-resin solution suspends the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate to produce a stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Benchmark Research & Technology, Inc.Inventors: E. Wayne Kinsey, III, Sharif Sharif, David N. Harry
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Patent number: 5488083Abstract: A method of gelling a guar or derivatized guar polymer solution utilized to perform a hydraulic fracturing operation includes the step of adjusting the pH of the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution to between about 8.5 and 12.5. After adjusting the pH, an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mineral spirits-resin solution or an oil-resin solution is added to the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution. The guar or derivatized guar polymer solution and the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate solution suspended in the mineral spirits-resin solution or the oil-resin solution is then pumped into a subterranean formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1994Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology, Inc.Inventors: E. Wayne Kinsey, III, Sharif Sharif, David N. Harry
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Patent number: 5466846Abstract: Aqueous solutions of zirconium chelates are prepared by combining an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt with a solution of a zirconium compound. That preparation first involves formulating an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt through a stoichiometric reaction between an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids and a base. The stoichiometric reaction product consists of an approximately neutral solution of a corresponding alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt. The alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt is then added to a solution of a zirconium compound to produce a mildly acidic or basic solution of the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate. Alternatively, the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt may be pre-prepared and added in solid or liquid form to the zirconium compound before the zirconium compound is placed in solution so that the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate is produced.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1994Date of Patent: November 14, 1995Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology, Inc.Inventor: Sharif Sharif
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Patent number: 5316792Abstract: The present invention relates to resin coated particulates, the process of forming the particulates, and the particulates, utilization in petroleum well completions. More particularly, the present invention comprises the resin coated particulates and the process whereby the high strength particulate substrates are coated with a heat curable resin which is reacted with a formaldehyde source-metal compound (FS-MC) complex. The resultant resin coated particulates are less reactive or interactive with the fluids employed to convey those particulates during petroleum well completion operations.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1993Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology, Inc.Inventors: David N. Harry, Sharif Sharif
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Patent number: 5311946Abstract: The present invention relates to resin coated particulates, the process of forming the particulates, and the particulates' utilization in petroleum well completions. More particularly, the present invention comprises the resin coated particulates and the process whereby the high strength particulate substrates are coated with a heat curable resin which is reacted with a formaldehyde source-metal compound (FS-MC) complex. The resultant resin coated particulates are less reactive or interactive with the fluids employed to convey those particulates during petroleum well completion operations.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Benchmark Research and Technology, Inc.Inventors: David N. Harry, Sharif Sharif