Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are described for instructing power shovel operators. Multiple types of information about the power shovel and other operations at a work site are integrated into a GUI in order to present power shovel operators with real-time visual feedback on operational decisions and actionable guidance on ongoing loading operations. The operator is presented with a user interface screen showing performance information such as a performance score indicating the operator's overall efficiency or effectiveness over a predetermined time period. The operator is presented with bucket load information to assist in deciding whether a current load of shoveled material in the bucket of the operator's power shovel should be loaded into a material transport vehicle (e.g., a haul truck), based on vehicle payload target information of the material transport vehicle. Other types of instruction are disclosed as part of the GUI.

Abstract: This disclosure features herbicidal compositions including one or more indole auxins and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The following provides a system and method to predict an indicator of tube fouling in a fired apparatus such as a boiler. Historical data can be collected when the tubing is still considered to be clean, and used to build a first model between an indicator of fouling, such as tube skin temperature, and boiler load. The actual measurement of that indicator of fouling can then be compared against the model output, such that the error between the model and measurement is considered an indication of the tube fouling. Moreover, the rate of change of the model error can be used to measure the fouling rate. Next, historical data on the fluid feed quality can be collected and together with the historical error rate change data can be combined to develop a second model. This second model reflects how fluid feed quality variables may affect the fouling rate over time.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method are provided for monitoring equipment. The method includes obtaining a trained model for an item, the item comprising equipment or a component of the equipment, the model having been trained using historical operational data of the type of equipment, and historical wear data acquired by inspecting the type of equipment and/or the type of component; using the trained model to generate an end-of-run prediction for the item using current or post service field inspection data for the item; analyzing the end-of-run prediction to determine a maintenance recommendation; and generating an output based on the prediction.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining cleaning schedules for equipment. The equipment includes fired heaters and/or heat exchangers. The method includes obtaining historical sensor data; transforming the obtained sensor data using an engineering first principles process; applying data analytics to the transformed data to generate at least one statistical model; predicting an indicator of fouling in the equipment using operating data and the at least one statistical model; obtaining cost data associated with the equipment being analyzed; determining from the prediction and cost data a desired cleaning schedule for the equipment; and providing an output associated with the desired cleaning schedule.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining operational parameters for improving energy efficiency of a process. The method includes obtaining energy usage data and production and operating data generated by utilizing at least one utility in the process and using the energy data and production and operating data to generate a first principles model. The method also includes obtaining sensor data from at least one sensor coupled to equipment used during operation of the process; generating an efficiency model using at least one data driven model, the sensor data, and the first principles model; and using the efficiency model to generate an energy optimization to achieve a greenhouse gas reduction in operation of the process. The method also includes generating an output comprising at least one operation parameter value to enable adjustment of the equipment to adjust operation of the process towards the greenhouse gas reduction; and providing the output to an operational controller.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating a coker unit comprising the steps of: collecting a coker-furnace feed stream; introducing the coker-furnace feed-stream into a coker furnace for producing a coker-drum feed stream; and introducing a hydrogen-donor gas into either or both of the coker-furnace feed stream or the coker-drum feed stream.

Abstract: Provided herein is a liner that can be loosely inserted in process pipe to form a lined pipe and to decrease the rate of heat transfer between process fluids flowing through the liner and the process pipe. The liner provided herein can reduce applied thermal loading on the outer pipe resulting from, for example, turbulent mixing between fluids having different temperatures (with or without stratification), circumferential thermal gradients, and/or longitudinal thermal gradients. An annulus between the process pipe and liner can be at least partially filled by process fluids, thereby creating a thermal buffer to further decrease the rate of heat transfer between the fluids and the process pipe.

Abstract: A tube and tubesheet assembly is provided, which includes a tubesheet, the tubesheet comprising at least one tube insertion aperture therethrough; at least one tube inserted in the at least one tube insertion aperture; and a damage-resistant layer applied to an edge of the at least one tube and along an inner surface of a portion of the tube that is positioned within the corresponding tube insertion aperture. A heat exchanger including the assembly is also provided. A method is also provided for coupling a tube to a tubesheet. The method includes applying a damage-resistant layer to an edge of the tube and along an inner surface of a portion of the tube that is positioned within a tube insertion aperture in the tubesheet. The method can also be used to repair tubes and retrofit pre-existing tube-to-tubesheet joints.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided in relation to flocculation and/or dewatering of thick fine tailings, with shear conditioning of flocculated tailings material in accordance with a pre-determined shearing parameter, such as the Camp Number. One example method of treating thick fine tailings including dispersing a flocculant into the thick fine tailings to form a flocculating mixture; shearing the flocculating mixture to increase yield stress and produce a flocculated mixture; shear conditioning the flocculated mixture to decrease the yield stress and break down flocs, the shear conditioning being performed in accordance with the pre-determined shearing parameter to produce conditioned flocculated material within a water release zone where release water separates from the conditioned flocculated material. The conditioned flocculated material can then be subjected to dewatering, for example by depositing, thickening or filtering.

Abstract: A process for in situ thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir is provided. The process includes: providing an oxygen-enriched mixture, fuel, feedwater and an additive including at least one of ammonia, urea and a volatile amine to a Direct-Contact Steam Generator (DCSG); operating the DCSG, including contacting the feedwater and the additive with hot combustion gas to obtain a steam-based mixture including steam, CO2 and the additive; injecting the steam-based mixture or a stream derived from the steam-based mixture into the reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons therein; and producing a produced fluid including the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating a coker unit comprising the steps of: collecting a coker-furnace feed stream; introducing the coker-furnace feed-stream into a coker furnace for producing a coker-drum feed stream; and introducing a hydrogen-donor gas into either or both of the coker-furnace feed stream or the coker-drum feed stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for the treatment of waste streams resulting from the processing of hydrocarbons that contain naphthenic acids, for example desalter brine resulting from the extraction or production of hydrocarbons from an oil sands reservoir. Naphthenic acids can be removed from these streams by removing oil-wet solids from the waste stream prior to conventional waste water processing, and the oil-wet solids can further be independently remediated to reduce naphthenic acid concentration for disposal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and apparatus for receiving signals containing information about a plurality of velocity profiles of a flow in a pipe and about a pressure gradient of the flow over a length of the pipe; and determining information about an injection of a chemical into the flow in the pipe based at least partly on the information contained in the signals.

Abstract: Partial upgrading processes can include thermal treatment combined with solvent deasphalting, and recycling of certain streams, to process bitumen feedstocks and produce a bitumen product. The thermal treatment can be done so that the feedstock is in liquid phase at conditions below incipient coking conditions. Solvent deasphalting can be done before or after thermal treatment depending on the configuration of the process. Subjecting the bitumen feedstock to a partial upgrading can facilitate viscosity reduction of the bitumen feedstock and can facilitate avoiding the need for the addition of an external source of hydrogen.

Abstract: Provided herein is a liner that can be loosely inserted in process pipe to form a lined pipe and to decrease the rate of heat transfer between process fluids flowing through the liner and the process pipe. The liner provided herein can reduce applied thermal loading on the outer pipe resulting from, for example, turbulent mixing between fluids having different temperatures (with or without stratification), circumferential thermal gradients, and/or longitudinal thermal gradients. An annulus between the process pipe and liner can be at least partially filled by process fluids, thereby creating a thermal buffer to further decrease the rate of heat transfer between the fluids and the process pipe.

Abstract: Provided herein is a liner that can be loosely inserted in process pipe to form a lined pipe and to decrease the rate of heat transfer between process fluids flowing through the liner and the process pipe. The liner provided herein can reduce applied thermal loading on the outer pipe resulting from, for example, turbulent mixing between fluids having different temperatures (with or without stratification), circumferential thermal gradients, and/or longitudinal thermal gradients. An annulus between the process pipe and liner can be at least partially filled by process fluids, thereby creating a thermal buffer to further decrease the rate of heat transfer between the fluids and the process pipe.

Abstract: A method and device for in-line injecting of flocculated agent into a fluid flow of mature fine tailings (MFT). The method includes the steps of: a) providing a fluid flow of mature fine tailings to be treated along a given channel fluidly connected to the pipeline; b) providing a source of flocculating agent; and c) introducing flocculating agent inside the fluid flow of mature fine tailings via a plurality of injection outlets for injecting the flocculating agent into the fluid flow in a dispersed manner so as to increase an exposed surface area of the injected flocculating agent and thus increase a corresponding reaction with the mature fine tailings, for an improved flocculation of said mature fine tailings, and/or other desired end results. Also disclosed is a kit with corresponding components for assembling the in-line injection device to be connected in-line with the pipeline carrying the mature fine tailings to be treated.