Abstract: A time-resolved hyper-spectral imaging system for imaging a sample, includes a radiation source suitable for illuminating the sample repeatably, a first optical system configured to form an image I of the sample on a spatial light modulator forming a transmission or reflection mask P, a processor connected to the spatial light modulator and configured to make the transmission or reflection mask P vary for each repetition of the illumination, a second optical system suitable for focusing the radiation transmitted or reflected by the spatial light modulator so as to form, in its image focal plane, a partial image S=P·I; the imaging system being wherein it comprises: a dispersive device comprising a slit placed in the image focal plane of the second optical system, the dispersive device being suitable for spatially splitting the various wavelengths of the radiation transmitted or reflected by the spatial light modulator; a streak camera arranged so as to be illuminated by the radiation issuing from the dispersiv

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion (18) in the arch of a pipe (10) carrying a multiphase corrosive liquid containing a liquid phase (12) which flows off at the lower part of the pipe (10) and a gaseous phase (14) which flows off at the upper part of the pipe. The method includes the following: a scraper (16) is introduced into the pipe, a joint (27) is provided between the scraper (16) and the inner wall of the pipe in such a way that the scraper is moved along the pipe from top to bottom as a result of the effect of the pressure difference between the top and bottom, a liquid that inhibits corrosion is introduced into the scraper or the liquid is injected into the pipe where it is mixed with the liquid phase (12), the scraper is provided with an uptake and projection device (22) that enable the corrosion-inhibiting liquid contained in the scraper or the mixture contained in the pipe to be taken up, whereby the liquid is projected onto the inner wall of the arch of the pipe as the scraper advances in the pipe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating the constituents of a heterogeneous mixture and its uses. Said device comprises a separation chamber (100, 250, 350, 450, 650, 724, 850, 903, 1106) having a one of its ends an inlet and at the other an outlet comprising a first ring-shaped orifice (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 919) coaxial with said chamber, and a second ring-shaped orifice (111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811, 920) coaxial with said first ring-shaped orifice and whereof the external diameter is smaller than said first ring-shaped orifice internal diameter. The invention is characterized in that said separation chamber has a cylindrical shape and said first orifice external diameter D1 is smaller than said chamber internal diameter D0. The invention also concerns a method using said device.

Abstract: A drilling head with a cone rock bit, each cone having a stationary part and a rotary part which rotates about an axis of rotation. Also included is a dynamic sealing device between the stationary part and the rotary part. The sealing device is borne by the rotary party and has a first sealing lip and a second sealing lip, each of which forms a surface of revolution about the axis of rotation. Further, the first and second lips bear respectively against a first bearing face and a second bearing face secured to the stationary part. The first lip is oriented in such a way that it presses against the first bearing face under the action of the pressure, and the second lip is oriented in such a way that it moves away from the second bearing face under the action of the pressure of the lubricating product, so as to allow this product to fill a cavity and compensate for the pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: The charting method consists in realising a recordings acquisition, constituting on the basis of the recorded seismic traces, a 3D seismic block (X, Y, T) sampled in elementary cells (C.sub.ijk), such that each elementary cell contains a sample (k) of a central seismic trace (TR.sub.ij), calculating for each elementary cell (C.sub.ijk) of the seismic block, the energy thereof, and fixing an energy threshold beyond which the presence Tk of anomaly zones is considered probable, selecting cells of the block which have energy equal or superior to the said threshold, coding the selected cells, such that all the cells belonging to a same contiguously selected cell set have the same code and the selected cells belonging to distinct contiguously selected cell sets have different codes, and effecting an XY projection of the coded cell block.

Abstract: A drilling tool has several blades 16 each defining an outside wall 20 and two side walls 22, 24. The blades are separated by recesses 18, primary bits 28 are located along the outside wall of the blades, and secondary or backup bits 40 are attached behind the primary bits in relation to the direction of travel (f) of the tool. Each of the blades defines at least one divergent tunnel or channel 30 having small entry opening 32 located in the outside wall of the blade, behind the primary bits, and a larger exit opening 34 located on the rear side of the blade. The secondary bits are mounted at the rear edge of the entry opening, and the channel serves to discharge material excavated by them.

Abstract: An integral tool bit for drilling a rock formation, including a cemented metal carbide holder (30) attached to the tool and joined, e.g. soldered, to a plate (34) in the form of a cylindrical disc made from polycrystalline diamond particles and having a side wall (40), and a substantially flat free surface (36). The plate (34) is positioned so that the plane of its free flat surface (36) is at an acute angle (.alpha.) to a line (N) normal to the surface (25) of the rock formation, and the angle is directed in the same direction as the forward direction (F) of the drill bit so that the plate engages the rock formation with its side wall (40).

Abstract: A mechanical or acoustic excitation apparatus 26 imparts mechanical vibrations to a pipeline 12 in at least two longitudinally spaced areas of its outer surface. At least one sensor 30 is positioned in proximity to the pipeline, which collects vibration data supplied to it along the pipeline. A processing and analysis apparatus 40 derives from the vibration data information concerning the gas and liquid content of the multiphase fluid, in particular the length and rate of travel of liquid plugs and air pockets, and a control device 42 regulates intake valves of downstream petroleum equipment to adjust the intake flow rate of the phases as a function of the storage and/or treatment capacity of the equipment.

Abstract: A unified hydraulic model has been developed by the method according to the invention which is applicable to any slope and diameter of pipeline and can handle most of the steady state as well as transient multiphase flow regimes encountered in practice. The new modelling method differentiates two types of flow patterns: separated flow patterns (stratified or annular) and dispersed flow patterns. Intermittent flow patterns (slug, churn flow) are a combination of these two patterns. The same concept has been successfully applied for transition criteria between different flow regimes, insuring continuity of the solutions across the transitions. This requirement is very important for simulating transient phenomena. The transient resolution is achieved by an explicit time advancing scheme. The advantages of the method are; its ability to follow wave front propagation, an easy implementation for the resolution of complex pipeline networks.

Abstract: An apparatus for studying the migration of a gas in a cement slag comprises a cell 21 filled at least partially with a slag 22 to be used during the cementation of a well pipe. A first strainer 23 made of a sintered material which simulates a formation is disposed below a second strainer 24 made of a sintered material and connected to a gas-detection apparatus, the levels at which the two strainers are positioned being such that they are embedded in the slag being studied. A pressurized gas source 27 is connected to the first strainer, and to a tank 28 partially filled with water 29, the water-gas interface being located at a level lower than that of the first strainer 23. A line 30 is connected between the bottom of the tank and the upper part of the cell, above the upper level of the slag 22, and actual formation conditions can be simulated by suitably adjusting the vertical height H1 between the water-slag interface in the cell and the water-gas interface in the tank.

Abstract: Self-shaping disk-shaped cutting edge of a drilling tool, comprising an outer diamond-impregnated polycrystalline layer (22) applied onto a tungsten carbide layer (24), each cutting edge being mounted on a support (18) which is integral with the body (12) of the drilling tool. The cutting edge and/or its support (18) have areas (26) of least resistance, such as grooves, which are likely to cause successive fractures, thereby forming an acute relief angle (.alpha.) with the rock to be drilled (28).

Abstract: A drilling fluid nozzle 12 mounted in the end of an earth drilling tool 10 has a flow channel defined by a surrounding wall 16 which diverges at an angle of 30.degree. or less, such that the exiting fluid "adheres" to the wall in a laminar manner due to the Coanda effect. This configuration minimizes clogging, and implements ready unclogging.

Abstract: A drilling tool with rotating conical rollers, such as a bicone, a tricone, etc. wherein each roller is fitted with several circular rows of teeth 22 made of tungsten carbide or the like. Each tooth has at its end, successively in the direction where it rolls on the rock, a rear or impact zone 24, a central zone 28 with a rounded shape, and a forward zone 30 which is last to come into contact with the rock. The teeth are fitted with diamond-charged elements 32, 34 on the forward zone and optionally on the central zone, but not on the rear zone.

Abstract: A drilling bit having an irrigation system which uses an irrigating fluid. The bit comprises a hollow drill head 14 housing at least one fluidic oscillator 23, 23' which includes an accelerator nozzle 26, 26' supplied by said fluid and opening into a cavity 46, 46' in which a dividing element 34, 34' is mounted which is provided with a ridge 36, 36' located slightly downstream from the nozzle. Said dividing element defines in said cavity two passages 42, 44, 42', 44' towards which the fluid is alternately directed in pulsed jets. Said passages are linked respectively to two series of channels 16 to 22 which open onto the outer surface of the head 14 through a plurality of outlet openings 21 which are oriented so that the pulsed jets they give out are directed to selected portions of the head that need to be cleaned, cooled or lubricated.