Abstract: Embodiments of super-virtual borehole sonic interferometry include machines, systems, and methods that can increase the signal-to-noise ratio of sonic log waveforms. Embodiments include performing a common shot gather and recording traces with a sonic tool, repositioning the tool and performing another common-shot gather; cross-correlating each trace with neighboring corresponding traces for each common shot gather, which leads to creating the virtual trace response due to a redatumed virtual source; stacking the common virtual traces with common ray paths for different common shot gathers; convolving the virtual traces with an actual trace that travels from the source through the virtual source to a receiver on the tool; and stacking the traces having common ray paths. The resulting waveforms can have a signal-to-noise ratio significantly greater than the signal-to-noise ratio of the original waveforms, due to the two stacking operations following each redatuming step.

Abstract: Errors produced in a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) survey by near surface electrical anomalies on the estimates of formation properties are reduced. The effects of variations in subsurface electrical resistivity near the surface are separated from electrical resistivity changes at locations in the formations of interest far from the measurement region. A survey system includes one or more electrodes to inject electrical current at formation depth within a borehole, one or more counter electrodes which collect such current on the surface of the earth, and one or more electrodes to inject current on the surface. A transmitter is selectively connectable to different sets of the electrodes to cause a current to flow between the selected electrode sets. The resultant fields from the current flow are sensed and processed. The effects of near surface anomalies are detectable in the data and removable from the survey data of interest regarding the formations.

Abstract: One example of a downhole self-isolating wellbore drilling system to pulverize formation cuttings includes a cutting grinder tool and an isolation tool. The cutting grinder tool can be attached to a drill string uphole relative to a drill bit attached to a downhole end of the drill string. The cutting grinder tool can receive and pulverize formation cuttings resulting from drilling a formation using the drill bit. The isolation tool can be attached to the drill string uphole relative to the cutting grinder tool. The isolation tool can control flow of the pulverized formation cuttings mixed with a drilling mud uphole through the drill string.

Abstract: Systems and program code for providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary system includes a CHP utility and process subsystems analysis and design program computer and program code for identifying the best key design and operating conditions for both subsystems stored in the memory of the computer. The program code, when executed, can cause the computer to perform operations including determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for the fluid catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock. According to at least one embodiment, the method includes supplying the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to a reaction zone having a catalyst, such that both the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and the catalyst are in contact in a down-flow mode, wherein said contact between the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and the catalyst takes place in a fluidized catalytic cracking apparatus having a separation zone, a stripping zone, and a regeneration zone. The method further includes maintaining the reaction zone at a temperature of between 500 and 600° C., such that the hydrocarbon feedstock converts into a cracked hydrocarbon effluent comprising light olefins, gasoline, and diesel.

Abstract: Methods for producing alcohols and oligomers contemporaneously from a hydrocarbon feed containing mixed butenes using an acid based catalyst are provided. Additionally, methods for producing fuel compositions having alcohols and oligomers prepared from mixed olefins are also provided as embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the catalyst can include a dual phase catalyst system that includes a water soluble acid catalyst and a solid acid catalyst.

Abstract: Energy-efficient gasification-based multi-generation apparatus, facilities, or systems, and methods of modifying existing gasification-based multi-generation apparatus and the various conventional thermal coupling arrangements, are provided. An exemplary gasification-based multi-generation apparatus includes a gasification system configured to generate the raw syngas feed from a carbon-based feedstock. The gasification system includes a gasification plant or facility, a sour water stripping plant or facility comprising a sour water stripper, a gasification reactor, and a gasification system energy management system.

Abstract: A methane microporous carbon adsorbent comprising a thermally-treated CVD carbon having a shape in the form of a negative replica of a crystalline zeolite has a BET specific surface area, a micropore volume, a micropore to mesopore volume ratio, a stored methane value and a methane delivered value and a sequential carbon synthesis method for forming the methane microporous carbon adsorbent. Introducing an organic precursor gas for a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) period to a crystalline zeolite that is maintained at a CVD temperature forms the carbon-zeolite composite. Introducing a non-reactive gas for a thermal treatment period to the carbon-zeolite composite maintained at a thermal treatment temperature forms the thermally-treated carbon-zeolite composite. Introducing an aqueous strong mineral acid mixture to the thermally-treated carbon-zeolite composite forms the methane microporous carbon adsorbent.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube for conveying a heat transfer fluid, into which one or more turbulence-inducing elements are fixedly positioned on a supporting member extending in spaced relation along the central axis of the tube. The turbulence-inducing elements have a first portion facing upstream and a second portion facing downstream. The entire exterior surface of the first portion forms a continuous solid surface that blocks and deflects the path of the flowing fluid.

Abstract: Methods of providing a combined synthesis of cost-effective heat and power (CHP) utility systems and the key process systems are provided. An exemplary method includes process steps for identifying the best key subsystem design and operating conditions for both the process and the utility systems. The method can include the step of determining an optimal allocation of steam and power between both process and utility systems for one or more industrial process facilities in both partially and totally decentralized environments. This can include defining rigorously bounded decision variables as model input data, processing the model input data by a combined heat and power utility and process subsystem mathematical program model, and determining a plurality of at least substantially optimal process and utility subsystem conditions.

Abstract: Energy-efficient gasification-based multi-generation apparatus, facilities, or systems, and methods of modifying existing gasification-based multi-generation apparatus and the various conventional thermal coupling arrangements, are provided. An exemplary gasification-based multi-generation apparatus includes a gasification system configured to generate raw syngas feed from a carbon-based feedstock, and an acid gas removal system configured to remove acidic contaminants from the raw syngas feed to thereby provide a treated syngas feed. The gasification system includes a gasification reactor, a syngas fluid cooler reactor, and a soot ash removal unit comprising a soot quench column, a soot separator, a soot filter, a soot scrubber, and a gasification system energy management system having a conventional set of heat exchanger unit and an added set of heat exchanger units to enhance energy efficiency.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a vertical pump shaft and coupling hub is provided. The alignment device includes a bracing sleeve comprising a connecting foot configured to removably attach to a connecting arm of a bolting ring, stabilizing nuts, stabilizing bolts, such that the stabilizing bolts screw through the stabilizing nuts to contact the shaft of the vertical pump to secure the bracing sleeve to the shaft of the vertical pump, and a grip pad configured to allow the bracing sleeve to fit flush with the shaft of the vertical pump. The alignment device also includes the bolting ring configured to adjust the coupling hub of the vertical pump, the bolting ring comprising guide nuts, guide bolts, such that the guide bolts screw through the guide nuts to contact the shaft to provide a means for adjusting the alignment between the vertical shaft and the coupling hub.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for powering a vehicle includes a micro turbine assembly with multi-fuel capabilities and a turbine drive shaft extending therefrom. The turbine drive shaft has a turbine engaged position where a turbine rotational output of the micro turbine assembly is transferred by the turbine drive shaft to wheels of the vehicle, and a turbine unengaged position where the turbine rotational output is independent from the wheels. A generator is selectively connected to the micro turbine assembly in parallel with a portion of the turbine drive shaft. A power storage device is chargeable by the generator and can drive an electric motor. A motor drive shaft has a motor engaged position where a motor rotational output of the electric motor is transferred by the motor drive shaft to the wheels, and a motor unengaged position where the motor rotational output is independent from the wheels.

Abstract: A spacer fluid made of a viscosity thinner, a weighting agent, an antifoaming agent, and a non-ionic surfactant in a base aqueous fluid is disclosed. In some instances, the viscosity thinner is a sulfomethylated tannin, the weighting agent is barium sulfate, the antifoaming agent is a silicone, and the non-ionic surfactant is an ethoxylated alcohol. A method of treating a well bore annulus in preparation of introducing water-based cement slurry into a well bore using the spacer fluid is disclosed. A method of using the spacer fluid to position a first fluid into a well bore annulus of a well bore containing a second fluid is disclosed. A method for fluidly isolating at least a portion of a well bore annulus in a well bore containing an oil-based drilling fluid using water-based cement slurry and the spacer fluid is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere with the exhaust gas stream produced by the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle by capturing at least a portion of the CO2 in a liquid sorbent on board the vehicle, recovering the CO2 from the sorbent and compressing the CO2 for temporary storage on board the vehicle, where the process is operated as a semi-closed system in which the liquid sorbent that captures the CO2 serves as a working fluid and retains the CO2 during the power generation cycle to produce mechanical energy or work, after which the CO2 is desorbed for densification and recovery as an essentially pure gas stream and the working fluid is recycled for use in the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a deasphalting unit.

Abstract: An ethylene oligomerization system is useful for creating 1-butene from ethylene in the presence of an ethylene oligomerization catalyst. The ethylene oligomerization system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the flow of the process fluid contained in the internal baffle single pass reactor by transferring motion into the process fluid. An ethylene oligomerization process is useful for creating a refined 1-butene product from ethylene using the ethylene oligomerization system.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gas isotherm techniques to evaluate wettability of porous media, such as hydrocarbon reservoir rock, can include constructing a NMR gas isotherm curve for a porous media sample gas adsorption under various pressures. A hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the porous media sample can be determined using the NMR gas isotherm curves. A wettability of the porous media sample can be determined based on the NMR gas isotherm curve. The wettability can be determined for porous media samples with different pore sizes. In the case of reservoir rock samples, the determined wettability can be used, among other things, to model the hydrocarbon reservoir that includes such rock samples, to simulate fluid flow through such reservoirs, or to model enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from such reservoirs.

Abstract: A system for preventing hydrate formation in a pipeline includes a heater housing. The heater housing has an outer diameter sized to travel within the pipeline. A turbine assembly is located within the heater housing. The turbine assembly has a blade that is rotatable by a flow of fluid within the pipeline. An electric heater is located within the heater housing and is electrically connected to the turbine assembly. The electric heater is selectively contacted by the flow of fluid within the pipeline.