Abstract: A method for altering flow conditions in a pipe includes the steps of preparing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; transporting the mixture to a pipe having inner flow surfaces and hydrocarbons adhered to the inner flow surfaces; and holding the mixture in the pipe for a period of time sufficient to form a water film over the inner flow surfaces and over the hydrocarbons adhered to the inner flow surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of separation of heterogeneous mixtures and, more particularly to a solid-liquid separating tank and system. A settlement tank including: a tank wall defining a tank inner space; an internal wall structure in the inner space and defining a fluid flow path from a center of the inner space to a fluid outlet at the tank wall; and a plurality of drainage pipes having an open internal end and an outer end connected to a drainage manifold, wherein the open internal end is positioned at a bottom of the inner space to remove gravity decanted sediment and hydrostatically decanted water from the inner space.

Abstract: A method of recovering vanadium, nickel and molybdenum from heavy crude oil refinery residues comprises pyrolysis and combustion of the residues at temperatures up to 900° C. to produce an ash, converting the ash to an aqueous slurry comprising sodium hydroxide as leading agent and hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer, and extracting vanadium, nickel and molybdenum salts and oxides from the slurry. Extraction processes for the metals are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides for local gathering and translation of information from a wide variety of sources of such information, wherein the translation presents the information in a format which can be received by a wide variety of different applications and end users, and effectively utilized by same.

Abstract: A method for improving flow conditions in a porous media while servicing a well penetrating to the porous media includes the steps of: stopping drilling or production activities on the well; introducing a well control fluid into the well and the porous media, the well control fluid comprising a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; holding the well control fluid in the well and the porous media in the presence of water while the well is being serviced, such that the fluid penetrates the porous media and forms a water film on surfaces of the porous media; and when well servicing is finished, resuming drilling or production activities on the well.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising an emulsion of an aqueous phase in an oil phase, wherein the aqueous phase contains a group 6 metal, and wherein between about 55 and 100 wt % of the group 6 metal is sulfurated. A method for making a catalyst emulsion, comprising the steps of providing an aqueous phase comprising an aqueous solution of a group 6 metal, wherein between about 55 and 100 wt % of the group 6 metal is sulfurated; and mixing the aqueous phase into an oil phase to form an emulsion of the aqueous phase in the oil phase. A hydroconversion process, comprising the steps of contacting the catalyst of claim 1 with a feedstock in a hydroconversion zone under hydroconversion conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting core samples includes an outer tube having an open end and a cover removably mounted to the open end; a core tube slidable into and out of the outer tube when the cover is removed from the outer tube; and a stabilizing structure between the core tube and the outer tube, the stabilizing structure supporting the core tube within the outer tube with the core tube spaced from contact with an inner wall of the outer tube.

Abstract: A method is provided for electro-gasification of pet-coke, including the steps of providing a pet-coke material; treating the pet-coke material to obtain a treated pet-coke material having an average particle size of between about 20 and about 106 ?m; and exposing the treated pet-coke material to electro-gasification conditions to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen. Extraction of metals from the pet-coke is facilitated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres from industrial slag. The microspheres have a particle size of about 38 microns to about 150 microns. The microspheres are used to create a cement slurry having a density of at least about 11 lbs/g. The resultant cement slurry may then be used to treat subterranean wells.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst composition, which includes an emulsion of an aqueous phase in an oil phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises an aqueous solution containing a group 6 metal and a group 8, 9 or 10 metal. The metals can be provided in two separate emulsions, and these emulsions are well suited for treating hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A combined injection and production method includes the steps of: establishing a production well and an injection well into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; introducing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid into each of the production well and the injection well so that the mixture flows into porous media surrounding the production well and the injection well; holding the mixture in the porous media surrounding the production well in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on surfaces of the porous media surrounding the production well; and injecting an injection fluid into the injection well while producing from the production well, whereby hydrocarbons flow from the porous media around the injection well toward the production well.

Abstract: A cement additive, comprising nanostructured or not particles of SiO2—CaO—Al2O3 and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of nano-sized particles of SiO2, 2CaO.SiO2, 3CaO.SiO2, Al2O3, P—Ca and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a catalyst having a substantially bimodal support phase and an active metal phase that is suitable and stable for desulfurization of high-olefin content naphtha streams with minimal octane-loss running at low hydrogen pressure. The active metal phase preferably includes cobalt, molybdenum and at least one additional metal selected from the alkali-metals group.

Abstract: A regenerable sorbent for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream. The regenerable sorbent is made from raw materials such as iron mineral, expansive clay and starch. Acid gas is removed from the fluid stream by a process where the raw materials are obtained, crushed, sifted, possibly pelletized, calcined and contacted with the fluid stream containing the acid gas.

Abstract: A continuous process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of: obtaining a heavy hydrocarbon; heating the heavy hydrocarbon; contacting the heavy hydrocarbon with a solvent at upgrading conditions so as to produce a first product comprising a mixture of upgraded hydrocarbon and solvent and a second product comprising asphaltene waste and water; continuously feeding the first product and the second product to a first separator; heating the first product; and continuously feeding the first product to a second separator to separate the upgraded hydrocarbon from the solvent. A system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for altering flow conditions in a porous media containing hydrocarbons includes the steps of preparing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; transporting the mixture to the porous media; and holding the mixture in the porous media in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on the surfaces of the porous media.

Abstract: A detergent package for changing wettability of a hydrocarbon bearing formulation and method regarding the same, comprising, at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and mixtures thereof, and additional components selected from the group consisting of corrosion inhibitors, alkaline agents, oxidizers, bleaches, secondary surfactants, divalent sequestering cations, foaming agents, inert additives and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a catalyst having a substantially bimodal support phase and an active metal phase that is suitable and stable for desulfurization of high-olefin content naphtha streams with minimal octane-loss running at low hydrogen pressure. The active metal phase preferably includes cobalt, molybdenum and at least one additional metal selected from the alkali-metals group.

Abstract: An offretite metalloalluminosilicate composition, including an aluminosilicate framework containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, divalent elements and combinations thereof, wherein at least a portion of the metal is incorporated into the framework, and wherein the portion is at least about 0.5% wt. with respect to the composition.