Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for estimating the fractured volume in a reservoir domain, said fractured volume generated by injecting a high pressure fluid into the reservoir domain. The high pressure fluid generates new fractures allowing a more effective drainage of porous rocks, generally identified as geological material, containing oil or gas. As a result, the effective reservoir volume increases. According to embodiments of the invention, the method provides a dynamic estimation of the fractured volume taking into account the evolution of the rock and the fractures. In other embodiment, the evolution of the fractured volume is estimated by generating an envelope surrounding the induced fractures allowing a better estimation of the fractured volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a computer-implemented invention for numerical modeling of a geological structure. The present invention solves the problem providing a method for use in the numerical simulation of the in-situ stress in a geological structure represented by a domain ? located under its external ground surface S. The method comprises mainly two steps: determining a first state of in-situ stress in the domain ? by means of six stress components and a second step determining a correction of the first state of stress in order to satisfy the equilibrium equation.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method implemented in a computer for the numerical simulation of a porous medium that may comprise multiple interacting hydraulic fractures in continuous or naturally fractured medium. The method calculates numerically the propagation of a crack, or set of cracks, for instance under the fluid pressure imposed artificially through a well or perforation in a rock mass. This is accomplished by using the Finite Element Method and the special elements named zero-thickness interface or joint elements in the specialized literature, which are pre-inserted along all potential crack paths in the rock mass (pre-existing natural and artificial fractures plus main potential new fracture paths).

Abstract: The device comprises an autoclave (1), a solvent tank or bottle (2), a tank (3) for gravity collection and cooling of the residual solution arriving form autoclave (1) for its later recovery, a dosification tank for concentrated reagent (4), dosed according to the weight of cellulosic material treated, a tank (5) which is connected by quick sockets to the system in order to recharge tank (2), a compressor unit (C), a refrigeration system (R) and a vacuum pump (8). The described system is controlled by a programmable robot aided by a screen on which are selected the stages of the procedure and the type of procedure itself, according to the amount of cellulosic materials to be treated, forming a transportable unit, and to a certain extent a portable one.

Abstract: An energy supply system for implantable medical devices generates an energy supply by a photovoltaic converter which transforms the light coming from outside of the body. The light is carried to the converter by an optical fiber. This system allows the implanted devices to work without the time restrictions of batteries and opens the door to the development of new devices with much higher power ratings. The system includes a light source (1) external to the patient's body, an optical fiber (3) which runs from a point on the surface of the patient to the implantable device (4) and a photovoltaic converter (5) placed inside the device where the optical fiber ends. Finally, a power conditioning stage (6) ensures that the electrical power generated suits the needs of the other components (7) of the implantable device.