Abstract: The invention includes an improved test for quantifying lustre of petroleum products in particle form, especially coke, as an index of quality. The test involves obtaining and preparing a sample and then placing it beneath an illuminating device in a manner that promotes the formation of a substantially smooth upper surface. The illuminating device uses visible light from a desired direction to produce a visible light pattern from the light reflected from the sample's upper surface. The pattern is then acquired to capture an image. The sample may be slightly magnified for acquisition of the image. The pattern may be acquired multiple times to develop an average image. The image is then processed digitally to produce a representative lustre measurement for the sample. The preceding process may be repeated several times for each sample and the resultant lustre measurements for each iteration are totalled and averaged.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, and uses a catalyst including (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium) and (b) a non-layered mesoporous support which exhibits an X-ray diffraction after calcination that has at least one peak at a d-spacing of greater than 18 Ångstrom units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for blow spinning continuous fibers. The novel process utilizes a tensioning device to preclude slack in the fiber. The present invention also provides novel fiber products which utilize continuous fibers prepared by a blow spinning process.

Abstract: A method for modeling geological zones having anomalous density includes determining the top of the anomalous zone from non-potential fields data. Potential fields data is then used to derive the lower boundary of the geologic anomalous zone. A lower boundary to a anomalous zone is formulated by predicting parameters representing the lower boundary within predetermined limits. This is done by using an inversion process on the potential fields data, such as measurements of gravity data, magnetic data. These may be in both vector and tensor form. The potential fields data is compared to the predicted fields from the results of the inversion process to obtain a difference between the two. If the difference exceeds a predetermined value, the parameters representing the anomalous zone are adjusted to improve the fit. When the lower boundary limits are reached or the difference between the model and the data is less than the predetermined value or convergence is attained, the anomalous zone has been determined.

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 process is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons by contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The process is characterized by using a catalyst prepared by a method involving (1) forming a catalyst gel by destabilizing an aqueous colloid comprising (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium), (b) colloidal cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide and/or aluminum oxide, and optionally (c) Al(OR)3, Si(OR)4, Ti(OR)4 and/or Zr(OR)4 where each R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and (2) drying the gel.

Abstract: Pulsed power sources are installed in one or more wells in the reservoir interval. The pulse sources include (1) an electrohydraulic generator that produces an intense and short lived electromagnetic pulse that travels at the speed of light through the reservoir, and an acoustic pulse from the plasma vaporization of water placed around the source that propagates through the reservoir at the speed of sound in the reservoir and (2) an electromagnetic generator that produces only an intense and short lived electromagnetic pulse that travels at the speed of light through the reservoir. The electromagnetic pulse produces a high frequency vibration of the reservoir that is active at the scale of the pores in the rock that acts to decrease the effective viscosity of the oil and lower the resistance of the crude oil to flow, and the acoustic pulse from the plasma effect enhances the mobility of the crude further.

Abstract: The return bend elbow fittings connecting adjacent tubes in a delayed coker furnace are improved by subjecting the interior surface of the fittings to a diffusion hardfacing process.

Abstract: This invention relates to improving the flow of flowing streams of hydrocarbons, such as petroleum or finished products, in a conduit such as a pipeline. The present invention also relates to a stable, nonagglomerating nonaqueous suspension suitable for improving flow of hydrocarbons in conduits, particularly finished product hydrocarbons in conduits.

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).