Abstract: The present invention provides a process for thermosetting pitch fibers in reduced times, at low concentrations of oxygen and at higher temperatures than previously possible. Additionally, the present invention provides a pitch fiber which has an oxygen diffusion rate to the center of the fiber which is competitive with the rate of oxidation at the fiber's surface. Further, the present invention provides a high density pitch fiber batt which thermosets without loss of fiber structure.

Abstract: A wellbore completion system utilizes casing conveyed devices to establish a fluid communication path between a downhole formation and the casing string. Extendible pistons are mounted in the wall of the casing pipe string and are extended toward contact with the downhole formation after the casing is set. An explosive device is mounted in the pistons and includes a detonator and a shaped charge. The detonator is housed in a plug threaded into one end of the piston. The shaped charge is housed in a canister conveniently inserted into the other end of the piston. The explosives included in the system may thus be conveniently assembled at the well site. Explosive in the pistons are activated by a separately conveyed activation system which produces a pressure wave to detonate the explosives and establish fluid communication between the casing and formation.

Abstract: Capillary pressure curves can be derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pore size distributions. These derived capillary pressure curves can be used to derive the displacement pressure, the fractional bulk volume of mercury at infinite pressure and a geometrical factor. These factors can be used to accurately predict permeability from an NMR derived capillary pressure curve.

Abstract: Curved transparent panels, suspended from a pair of parallel, curved tracks, are deployed in overlapping relationship to one another on top of a curved counter from a storage enclosure in which the panels are in stacked relationship to one another.

Abstract: A fabricated steel lifter for enhancing mixing of particulate material in a rotary calcining kiln. The lifter is fabricated from a weldable heat resistant alloy and includes a base plate, an anchor post, a sole plate, a face plate attached to the sole plate and extending back over the anchor post, and supporting gussets between the sole plate and the face plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and for producing a single layer batt of fibers prepared by multiple die tips. The present invention also provides a novel multiple tip blow spinning die.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a unique metals-containing anisotropic pitch suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock which is substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds. Next, the pitch product is solvent fractionated to separate mesogens which contain metals from the organometallic compounds. The metals-containing mesogens are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion to produce a metals-containing mesophase pitch.In another method, the carbonaceous feedstock is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and high molecular weight, soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to the mesogen containing isotropic pitch product prior to solvent fractionation.

Abstract: The cycle time for a delayed coker unit is reduced by externally heating the coke drum near the junction of the drum shell and the supporting skirt thereof prior to beginning the hot coker feed fill step. This reduces the thermal stresses at the area around the welds of the drum skirt.

Abstract: A method of inducing the formation of color determining compounds in a tea-based food product, characterized in that the tea leaves are treated with an exogenous laccase, polyphenol oxidase or peroxidase, in combination with a pretreatment with a tannase. Also, a treatment with a fungal laccase form a Pleurotus species can be performed to enhance the color of a tea-based product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a single layer batt of fibers prepared by multiple die tips. The present invention also provides a novel multiple tip blow spinning die.

Abstract: Powdered and liquid fluid loss additives are disclosed for use in cementing wellbores, particularly oil and gas wellbores. Excellent fluid loss control is achieved over a wide range of conditions using various cements systems. The invention utilizes polyvinyl acetate polymers as a fluid loss additive. The polyvinyl acetate polymer is used in conjunction with a dispersing sulfonated polymer and surfactant. This highly effective combination is then adjusted to individual well conditions with chelating agent, cross-linking agent, biocides, antifoams, or combinations of these. The dispersants are novel dispersing agent polymers such as melamine sulfonate polymer, vinyl sulfonate polymer and styrene sulfonate polymer and mixtures of these. These dispersant materials are usually prepared at low pH and can be used in the acid form, or neutralized to form salts of the polymers, wherein the salt can be a Group I or Group II metal salt, or ammonium salts (common salts).

Abstract: Potential producibility and the proportion of water and oil produced can be predicted for hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs using an isolated pore model and nuclear magnetic resonance data. The model is based on the use of two bulk volume irreducible/free fluid index cut off times, one based on small pores and the other based on large pores with a throat size that will not permit movement of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: The metal stresses in a delayed coke drum are reduced by externally cooling the coke drum near the junction of the drum shell and the supporting skirt thereof during the quench step. This reduces the metal stresses at the area around the welds of the drum skirt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blow spinning die particularly suited for spinning solvated pitch into fibers having a random cross-sectional structure. Additionally, the present invention provides a process for blow spinning fibers from solvated pitches. The present invention also provides pitch fibers having a high energy internal molecular structure. Finally, the present invention provides carbon fibers which have a non-radial internal structure.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a metals containing anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble-aromatic, organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked preferably with gas sparge to produce a metals containing mesophase pitch.

Abstract: Powdered and liquid fluid loss additives are disclosed for use in cementing wellbores, particularly oil and gas wellbores. Excellent fluid loss control is achieved over a wide range of conditions using various cements systems. The invention utilizes polyvinyl acetate polymers as a fluid loss additive. The polyvinyl acetate polymer is used in conjunction with a dispersing sulfonated polymer and surfactant. This highly effective combination is then adjusted to individual well conditions with chelating agent, cross-linking agent, biocides, antifoams, or combinations of these. The dispersants are novel dispersing agent polymers such as melamine sulfonate polymer, vinyl sulfonate polymer and styrene sulfonate polymer and mixtures of these. These dispersant materials are usually prepared at low pH and can be used in the acid form, or neutralized to form salts of the polymers, wherein the salt can be a Group I or Group II metal salt, or ammonium salts (common salts).

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a unique metals-containing anisotropic pitch suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock which is substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds. Next, the pitch product is solvent fractionated to separate mesogens which contain metals from the organometallic compounds. The metals-containing mesogens are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause fusion to produce a metals-containing mesophase pitch.In another method, the carbonaceous feedstock is heat soaked to produce an isotropic pitch product containing mesogens and high molecular weight, soluble, aromatic-organometallic compounds are added to the mesogen containing isotropic pitch product prior to solvent fractionation.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in making water-resistant gypsum products is provided. The composition is an aqueous emulsion comprising water, a paraffinic hydrocarbon wax, a Montan wax, an alkali metal or ammonium hydroxide in an amount sufficient to at least partially saponify the Montan wax, an emulsifier and a dispersant.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon fluid recovery from wells extending into subterranean formations is stimulated by treatment of the near-wellbore formations with cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for collecting relatively straight blow spun fibers in a two dimensional configuration. The process utilizes a venturi to preclude the kinking and bending of the fibers until the fibers have substantially thermoset. A diffusion chamber allows the fibers to be collected without entangling.