Abstract: Saline source water containing dissolved oxygen is deoxygenated to form injection quality water in the disclosed process and apparatus. In accordance with the invention, saline source water is electrolyzed in an electrolytic cell which produces hydrogen and chlorine. The hydrogen is reacted with the dissolved oxygen in a catalyst resin bed to reduce the dissolved oxygen to the desired level. Optionally, evolved chlorine may be used as a biocide in the system.

Abstract: An improved distillation apparatus is disclosed containing expansion means and vapor draw means surrounded by heating means to provide vapor/liquid phase separation entirely within the heating bath. The apparatus is especially useful for determining phenol content in refinery waste streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a second elongated hole axis substantially parallel to a previously bored horizontal hole axis which entails inserting a seismic signal generating apparatus into one hole and a seismic signal receiving apparatus into the other hole. The seismic receiver includes apparatus for moving it along the axis, for maintaining the receiver substantially parallel to the gravitational bottom of the hole, and for moving the receiver a predetermined distance from the borehole wall which is adjacent the borehole containing the seismic signal generating apparatus. Apparatus for observing the detected signal is located outside the borehole.

Abstract: Spontaneous combustion in piles of coal is prevented by forming a slurry of coal fines in an effective amount of sodium silicate solution to form a slurry which is placed on the surface of the coal pile and then allowed to harden into a cement to substantially exclude water and atmosphere.

Abstract: A delayed coking process in which the coker furnace feed is free of conventional heavy recycle. Elimination of this material from the coker furnace feed produces, based on fresh feed to the process, increased liquids and decreased coke. Coker furnace feed is initially combined with a diluent hydrocarbon having a lower boiling range than conventional heavy coker recycle and then transferred to the coker furnace. The hydrocarbon diluent is much lower in coke-forming components than the heavy recycle which is normally combined with the fresh feed and fed to the coker furnace.

Abstract: Trioxane and other acetals are purified by contacting with an alkali metal superoxide, then isolated in a purified form. Optionally, a phase transfer catalyst can be utilized in the purification. Recovered acetals are sufficiently pure for polymerization to high molecular weight.

Abstract: Early detection of cracks in structural members subject to stress is accomplished before cracks traverse the member by(a) affixing multiple liquid impermeable enclosures to the material to be monitored such that a crack forming in the monitored material will provide passage for liquid to enter the enclosures either through the monitored materials or by destroying the integrity of said liquid impermeable enclosures;(b) sealing a resistor having a known value onto each of the enclosures, each of the resistors having one lead capable of liquid contact within the enclosure, said lead electrically isolated from the material being monitored and/or a second wire in the enclosures;(c) forming a circuit connecting the multiple enclosures wherein the opposite resistor leads in each enclosure are connected by insulated wire to means for measuring resistance and/or conductance wherein each resistor alone or together with any combination of other resistors in said enclosures within the circuit provides a unique total resi

Abstract: High moisture coal is dried in a turbulent bed by contact with heated char. The dried coal is cooled and then treated with a coal spray for storage stability against spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving a hose hauler apparatus through an arc includes a pressure plate which is anchored in a manner to secure the pressure plate at a fixed location on the surface of the earth. An elevating apparatus is attached to the pressure plate. The elevating apparatus can be raised or lowered and has a platform on its upper surface. A linkage capture apparatus is attached to the platform. In use the device is inserted under a hose hauler, anchored and the linkage capturing apparatus is raised until the linkage is secured. Several of the devices are placed as required to initiate desired arcuate deviation in the hose hauler.

Abstract: A process for detecting the population count of microorganisms in an aqueous medium by means of ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The specimen is first filtered and the resulting filtrate then centrifuged to concentrate the microbial cells in a pellet layer. The microbial cells are then redispersed in an aqueous solution having a volume less than the volume of the original specimen and the absorption of ultraviolet light by the redispersed solution at wavelengths within the range of 260-280 nanometers is measured. The concentrated microbial cells may be lysed in order to release nucleic acid and protein components from the cellular wall structure.

Abstract: In a method of producing fuel for start-up to an automobile internal combustion engine which is continuously operated after start-up on alcohol and/or dissociated alcohol and/or liquid hydrocarbonthe improvement comprising the steps of:(a) providing a readily replaceable first container having an initial amount of hydride therein in fluid flow communication with said internal combustion engine,(b) heating said hydride whereby hydrogen is produced leaving a hydride product and a remainder of hydridesaid remainder of hydride being lesser in amount than said initial amount of hydride,(c) initially starting said engine,whereby hydrogen is produced from the hydride for initially starting said engine and said remainder of hydride without regeneration of hydride product is available for the next starting of said engine.

Abstract: A machine process for identification and extraction of magnitude and direction of edges and lines in noisey multidimensional imagery data. A digital picture function is viewed as a sampling of the underlying reflectance function of the objects in the scene or pattern with noise added to the true function values. The edges or lines relate to those places in the image where there are jumps in the values of the function or its derivatives. By expressing the function in some parametric form, the edges or line may by inferred from the values of the parameters.

Abstract: Water content of coal is reduced during heavy liquid/ash separation processes by adding an alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to the heavy liquid. These alcohols are miscible with both the heavy liquid and with the water and provide a continuous phase for water removal.

Abstract: A device for use during operation of a borehole survey probe or the like. The device is attachable to a flexible cable which in turn is connected to the survey probe, and the device includes an outer sealing or swab member and an interior valve. The valve and sealing member cooperate during pumping of the survey probe down through a conduit, and the valve opens during retrieval of the survey probe so that fluid in the conduit passes through the device as the survey probe is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus combines streams from different pipelines having different flow rates, concentrations, and pressure. The junction comprises a directed vortex formed by a conically-shaped enclosure having a closed base with one pipeline inlet through the base at the axis of the cone. Another higher pressure inlet is positioned on the periphery of the cone near the base and at a tangent to the covered cross-section at the point of entry. The high pressure inlet is also at an angle to the cross-section and directed toward the outlet at the apex of the cone. A fluid dewatering apparatus may be attached to the outlet to maintain a predetermined concentration in the case where one or more inlets contain a slurry.

Abstract: Well completion system providing for an enhanced bond between a well casing and the surrounding cement sheath. The system comprises a casing string disposed within a well extending to a subterranean location within the earth's crust. A metal ribbon is disposed about the outer surface of the casing to provide a wrapping having a series of helical turns along the length of the casing. A cement sheath in the annulus about the casing encompasses the wrapping and enters into openings therein to provide a bond between the cement and the outer surface of the casing. The metal ribbon may take the form of an expanded metal ribbon having a staggered mesh structure so that a portion of the ribbon stands off from the surface of the casing.

Abstract: A method for mining high grade ore from an ore body uses a near horizontal hole. The horizontal hole is bored into the ore body through as many of the high grade portions as possible. A jet mining tool is inserted into the hole to the high grade portion farthest from the tool insertion location and that portion of the high grade ore is removed. The tool is then pulled out of the hole until the jets are in a high grade portion which is adjacent the high grade portion previously mined and this portion is then jet mined. The process is repeated until all of the high grade portions of the ore body have been mined. The mined material is removed through the horizontally bored hole.

Abstract: A dye adsorption procedure for determining clay type and amount in subterranean formation. The procedure can be carried out at a well-site, providing rapid, accurate information for treatment of the well penetrating the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising:(a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising:(1) titanium halide of the general formula TiX.sub.m wherein m=2.5 to 4.0;(2) a co-catalyst such as an organo-aluminum halide of the formula AlR.sub.n X.sub.3-n where r is a hydrocarbon radical, X is a halogen and n is 2 or 3;(3) a phosphorous compound of the formula PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 or P(OR.sub.1)(OR.sub.2)(OR.sub.3) where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and placing the catalyst in contact with;(b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons from C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 under suitable temperature conditions to provide a hydrocarbon soluble ultrahigh molecular weight polymer, then ceasing polymerization at a polymer content level of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture.

Abstract: Well completion system providing for an enhanced bond between a well casing and the surrounding cement sheath. The system comprises a string of casing disposed within a well extending to a subterranean location in the earth. A wrapping of a metal wire is disposed about the outer surface of the casing in a conformation providing a plurality of helical turns which crisscross on another. A cement sheath in the annulus about the casing encompasses the metal wire to provide an enhanced bond between the cement and the outer surface of the casing. The wire may be provided with a plurality of protrusion elements which extend into the cement sheath to further increase the casing cement bond.