Abstract: Recovery of cerium values from fluoride-containing ores such as bastnasite is enhanced. The ore is ground, roasted, and leached with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce an ore concentrate. The concentrate is treated with a solution of hydrochloric acid and boric acid to solubilize cerium values and convert fluoride to tetrafluoroborate ion. Tetrafluoroborate is removed from the solution, e.g., by precipitation, and the solution is further processed for recovery of cerium values. Removal of tetrafluoroborate avoids loss of cerium as insoluble cerium tetrafluorborate during said further processing.

Abstract: Polymers (and especially hydroxyethylcellulose) are crosslinked using a lanthanide as a crosslinking agent. The crosslinked polymers have utility in well completion, well stimulation, enhanced oil recovery, and subterranean fluid containment operations.

Abstract: A pressure actuated, telescoping subassembly is supported by a pipe string to axially move an attached member within a wellbore. Increasing fluid pressure to the subassembly actuates a telescoping action, axially moving the attached member but not the supporting pipe string. Motion can be used during rotary drilling or running of tubulars into a drilled borehole portion. Pressure actuation provides a means to remotely apply axial force near the member, such as a tool or drill string portion. Moving only the member instead of the entire drill string and member lowers the total force required to move members and provides a new means to chase drill bits and apply constant drilling forces. This minimizes the risk of pipe string overloading and buckling, exceeding rig weight limitations, and tool bit damage.

Abstract: Pathway-containing foamed gels enhance the recovery of the nonaqueous fluids from subterranean formations by selectively reducing the flow of aqueous fluids with respect to the flow of nonaqueous fluids.

Abstract: Residua comprises upgraded by first partitioning a hydrocracked residua into a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction. The vapor fraction is hydrotreated forming a first hydrotreated product. The liquid fraction is partitioned into a residua fraction and a light liquid fraction. The light liquid fraction can be hydrotreated or hydrocracked to form a hydroprocessed product. The hydrotreated product and the hydroprocessed product are then combined forming a substantially upgraded synthetic crude product refinable as a routine crude in a refinery into products that meet stringent specifications. In particular, residua can be upgraded to make a quality jet fuel fraction and a naphtha fraction containing less than 1 ppmw sulfur and nitrogen.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions useful as foliar fertilizers contain ammonium ion, at a phytotoxic concentration, and sufficient magnesium ion to minimize the phytotoxic effect of the ammonium ion when the solution is applied to plant foliage. Also provided is a method for foliarly fertilizing plants sensitive to ammonium ion with ammonic nitrogen-containing fertilizers which method comprises applying magnesium ion to the plant foliage either prior to, simultaneously with or after application of the ammonic fertilizer to reduce the sensitivity of the plants to ammonium ion.

Abstract: A process for upgrading technical low grade cerium/fluorine-containing residues having concentrations of silicon and iron above about 1.0 weight percent produces compositions wherein the combined silicon and iron content is less than about 1.0 weight percent. Typically, the cerium content is raised to above about 50 weight percent and sufficient fluorine is present for the fluorine-to-cerium molar ratio to be 3.0 or above. Lubricating compositions comprising a major part of a lubricant and a minor amount of said upgraded cerium/fluorine-containing residue are useful as anti-wear lubricants.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting properties in surface coating compositions are increased by admixing a sol or gel containing salt with a polymer and usually a surface coating paste stock. A novel surface coating composition containing a polymer and salt homogeneously distributed in the composition is prepared from the sol or gel and has increased corrosion-inhibiting properties compared to a composition without the admixed sol or gel.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer composition containing a nonconjugated polymer and a salt is prepared by admixing a sol or gel composition containing the salt with a polymer. A novel sol or gel composition containing a nonionic surfactant stabilizer is useful for preparing the electrically conductive composition. An intermediate mixture of salt, stabilizer and solvent are heated to prepare a sol or gel which is typically admixed with a latex to produce a product admixture containing the salt and a latex polymer. The product admixture is dried to produce a resultant latex polymer/salt composition having electrically conductive properties useful, as for example, as an antistatic carpet coating.

Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a heat exchange surface exposed to a high-enthalpy geothermal brine tending to form silica scale, but containing less than a saturated amount of cations capable of reacting with sulfates. The method adds a limited amount of sulfuric acid to the brine to form a mixture. The amount of sulfuric acid is limited to that required to produce sulfates sufficient to apparently complex with silica, but less than the amount required to increased the sulfates to above saturation amounts of sulfate reacting cations, significantly reducing or virtually eliminating sulfate and silica deposits and fouling. The addition is further controlled to an amount which reduces the pH of the mixture to no less than about 4.5. The addition does not significantly increase corrosion rates of mild steel heat exchanger materials of construction.

Abstract: Pests are controlled by applying to the location of and/or to the path traversed by the pests a composition comprising urea and sulfuric acid in which the urea/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is less than 2. Novel compositions useful in such methods are also provided and comprise the described combinations of urea and sulfuric acid dispersed in a hydrocarbon oil. The novel method and compositions are particularly useful for controlling plant pests by applying the useful urea-sulfuric acid components to the plants or to the vicinity of plants occupied or traversed by such pests.

Abstract: Surface hydraulic fluid pressure and sucker rod displacement are measured and used to analyze the performance of a pumped oil well having a surface hydraulic actuator connected to a downhole pump by the sucker rod. The pressurized hydraulic fluid actuates a cyclic motion of the rod and a pumping of the oil. The measured rod motion and hydraulic fluid pressure are used together with an added flexible rod simulator to calculate a performance characteristic. The analysis method accounts for rod interactions with the hydraulic actuator and hydraulic pump. The present invention avoids installation of a load cell and disassembly/shutting down the operating pumping unit as is required by the conventional rocker beam analysis methods. The present invention also avoids flow measurements, as is required by conventional subsurface hydraulic motor and analysis methods, and complex dynamic frictional fluid loss analysis.

Abstract: A ported float shoe (5) and a landing collar (16) are attached at a first end of a portion of a casing string (4) and a sliding air trapping insert (20) is attached at the other end. The air trapping insert (20) includes a fluid flow passageway (24) blocked by a plug (22) attached by shear pins to the insert (20) or the air trapping insert is an inflatable insert (55) having a conduit (60) providing a fluid passageway to the first end. The air trapping insert and float shoe form an air cavity (12a or 12b) within the string portion (4). The air cavity provides buoyant forces during running, cementing or other casing operations within a borehole (2), reducing running drag and the related chance of a differentially stuck casing (4). It also allows reciprocation and rotation during cementing and avoids separate removal steps.

Abstract: A process is provided for controlling the emission of nitrogen dioxide from, and the growth of living organisms in, steam condensate cooling towers and catch basins used in conjunction with a condensate of steam derived from an ammonia containing geothermal brine. The process comprises contacting the condensate, in a substantially continuous manner, with a less-than-stoichiometric amount of an oxidizing agent, which results in the oxidation of nitrite in the condensate to a nitrate. The process optionally provides for periodically introducing a biocide into the condensate in an amount which controls organism growth in the cooling tower and catch basin. To prevent system corrosion, the process may include treating the condensate with a non-organic, phosphate-based corrosion inhibitor and scale dispersant.

Abstract: Gas-condensate having an API gravity value greater than 55.degree. is produced by injecting (1) a light noncondensable gas and (2) a foaming agent comprising a surfactant and water into a subterranean formation containing the gas condensate.

Abstract: Gloss in surface coating compositions is increased by admixing a sol or gel containing salt with a polymer and a surface coating paste stock. A novel surface coating composition containing a polymer and salt homogeneously distributed in the composition is prepared from the sol or gel and has increased specular gloss compared to a composition without the admixed sol or gel.

Abstract: A metals scavenging composition comprising a rare earth component and a layered magnesium silicate, such as sepiolite or attapulgite, is mixed with separate particles of a cracking catalyst and the mixture used to crack hydrocarbon feedstocks containing relatively high concentrations of vanadium and other contaminant metals. The use of the metals scavenger prolongs the life of the catalyst while maintaining (1) relatively high conversions and gasoline yields, and (2) relatively low hydrogen and coke makes.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release system for run in and cementing of a work string and tubular within a borehole has a small diameter pipe string extending from a release tool through a packer to within the tubular. The system forms at least one annulus between the pipe string and tubular. The pipe string includes a ported nipple and a seat subassembly downstream of the ported nipple. The pipe string allows the packer to anchor the tubular, by being inflated through the port even when the seat is blocked. The pipe string also forms a flotation annulus which is sealed by, and the pipe string is supported by, a drag/seal subassembly downstream of the seat assembly. The system also includes a safety release tool for reliable uncoupling. Uncoupling is accomplished after run in, displacing a cement slurry slug separated by a plug or dart using a following pump down fluid which can land on the seat and block further flow and displacement of cement slurry, and anchoring.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: A textile composition contains a textile material with a salt suffused therein. The composition is prepared by treating a textile material with a sol or gel composition containing a salt. The sol or gel composition is usually admixed with a polymer and the treated textile material (often carpeting) has an antistatic property.