Abstract: Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from aged briquettes made from compressed plant matter (briquettes) of non-Hevea plants.

Abstract: A downhole fluid composition having a saccharide gelling agent, an oxidative breaker, and a sequestering agent. The sequestering agent is hydrocarbon miscible and inert to oxidation by the oxidative breaker. The sequestering agent sequesters the oxidative breaker or an activator for the oxidative breaker, whereby oxidation of the gelling agent is inhibited. The downhole fluid may also include a proppant. Upon contacting hydrocarbons downhole or reaching a predetermined temperature, the sequestering agent releases the oxidative breaker or activator thereby oxidizing the saccharide gelling agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, and apparatus, for determining the degree of separation (DOS) of a polymer solution into a polymer-rich stream and a solvent-rich stream, said method comprising the following: adding to a liquid-liquid separation vessel the polymer solution, which comprises a polymer, a solvent and an anti-solvent; separating the polymer solution into a polymer-rich stream and a solvent-rich stream; removing at least some the polymer-rich stream from at least one outlet P on the vessel, and measuring the actual solution density of this polymer-rich stream using at least one flow meter; removing at least some of the solvent-rich stream from at least one other outlet S on the vessel, and measuring the actual density of the solvent-rich stream using at least one flow meter; and wherein the degree of separation (DOS) is determined by the following equation (Eqn.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making liquid polyester resins, and the liquid polyester resins produced by the method. The liquid polyester resins are prepared by depolymerizing virgin, scrap, recycled or reclaimed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) via an alcoholysis reaction with one or more mono-alcohols and/or polyols; transesterifying the resulting polyol oligomer with vegetable oils or fatty acid alkyl esters; and re-polymerizing with acids or anhydrides. The present invention also provides ink and coating compositions, and overprint varnishes, comprising the liquid polyester resins of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for plugging a fracture network in a wellbore. Exemplary compositions comprise a mixture of particles, some of the particles being degradable and other particles being elongated, having good compressive strength, and not being readily degradable at the conditions of the formation. The mixture of particles can temporarily bridge or plug fractures within the formation, and thus acts as a temporary diversion agent. After the degradable particles dissolve, the particles which are not readily degradable can remain in the fracture, helping to keep the fracture open and acting as a proppant.

Abstract: There is provided an interlayer film for laminated glass with which the flexural rigidity of laminated glass can be enhanced and the sound insulating properties of laminated glass can be enhanced.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving neutral conjugated polymers including methods for synthesis of neutral conjugated water-soluble polymers with linkers along the polymer main chain structure and terminal end capping units. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.

Abstract: A date palm seed lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having a date palm seed admixture of date palm seed particles of various sizes. The date palm seed particles may have a size greater than about 2380 microns in a range of about 40% to about 42% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 595 microns and less than about 2381 microns in a range of about 46% to about 48% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 400 microns and less than about 596 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, particles having a size less than about 210 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, and particles having a size less than about 149 microns in a range of about 1% to about 3% by weight. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date palm seed LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A non-leaching mediator may include a polymer having a polymeric backbone, and a plurality of phenothiazine groups bonded to the polymeric backbone. The plurality of phenothiazine groups may include at least one of a phenothiazine group having the general formula (IV): and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and “R” represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded, and a phenothiazine group having the general formula (V): and salts thereof, where n is about 9 and “R” represents the polymeric backbone to which the phenothiazine group is bonded.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing rubber crumb comprises the following steps: (a) suspending rubber granules having a given size in an autoclave (1) containing a supercritical fluid; (b) agitating the mixture for a predetermined time at constant pressure and constant temperature; (c) carrying out an isenthalpic expansion of the mixture from step (b) by spraying it through a nozzle (20).

Abstract: The present invention is related to printed floor or wall coverings comprising one or more polymer layer(s) and a print obtained by ink composition printing directly on at least one surface of said one or more polymer layer(s), said polymer layer(s) comprising a polyvinyl chloride homo- and/or copolymer in a blend with one or more polymer(s) selected from the group consisting of the homo- or copolymers of one or more vinyl alkanoate(s), the copolymers comprising one or more alkenes and one or more vinyl alkanoate(s), the copolymers comprising one or more alkyl (meth)acrylates, and mixtures of said homo- and/or copolymers.

Abstract: A date palm seed lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having a date palm seed admixture of date palm seed particles of various sizes. The date palm seed particles may have a size greater than about 2380 microns in a range of about 40% to about 42% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 595 microns and less than about 2381 microns in a range of about 46% to about 48% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 400 microns and less than about 596 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, particles having a size less than about 210 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, and particles having a size less than about 149 microns in a range of about 1% to about 3% by weight. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date palm seed LCM are also provided.

Abstract: A date palm seed lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having a date palm seed admixture of date palm seed particles of various sizes. The date palm seed particles may have a size greater than about 2380 microns in a range of about 40% to about 42% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 595 microns and less than about 2381 microns in a range of about 46% to about 48% by weight, particles having a size greater than about 400 microns and less than about 596 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, particles having a size less than about 210 microns in a range of about 4% to about 6% by weight, and particles having a size less than about 149 microns in a range of about 1% to about 3% by weight. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date palm seed LCM are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a foam fracturing fluid with double interface layers of a phlogisticated air-liquid CO2 for shale gas development, and a preparation method thereof. The foam fracturing fluid is prepared from a liquid CO2 phase, a gas phase and a nano-enhancer; the liquid CO2 phase is formed by dissolving a mixture of gas-soluble foaming agents in liquid CO2; the gas phase is a gas mixture of phlogisticated air and saturated vapor of the liquid CO2; the nano-enhancer is an aqueous solution of a mixture of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, a cosolvent and a water-soluble surfactant. In the fracturing fluid prepared by the present disclosure, the phlogisticated air was encapsulated by the liquid CO2 to form an interface layer, the liquid CO2 was further encapsulated by the nano-enhancer to form the other interface layer, which enhanced the structural stability of the fracturing fluid while achieving high viscosity and thermal stability.

Abstract: Lost circulation compositions, systems, and methods of using the same are described. A lost circulation composition comprises a water-swellable starch graft copolymer; and a carrier fluid. A method for bridging a lost circulation zone comprises providing a lost circulation composition comprising a water-swellable starch graft copolymer and a carrier fluid. Then introducing the lost circulation composition into a wellbore within a subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation comprises a lost circulation zone. Finally the lost circulation composition is placed into the lost circulation zone.

Abstract: Corrosion and/or calcium scale deposition on a surface in contact with corrosion forming components and/or scale forming components within a subterranean formation may be decreased, prevented, and/or inhibited by contacting the surface with at least one protein. The protein(s) may be or include, but is not limited to, at least one aspein protein, at least one aspolin protein, at least one dentine protein, at least one DRICH-1 protein, at least one nacrein protein, at least one SMDT-1 protein, derivatives thereof, fragments thereof, mimetics thereof, and combinations thereof. The surface may be or include, but is not limited to a metal surface, a plastic surface, a ceramic surface, a painted surface, a coated surface, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions, fibers and articles produced therefrom, and methods for producing same. In a further aspect, the invention relates to homogenized post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to extruded polymer compositions, polymer mixtures, fibers, and/or Bulked Continuous Filament fibers comprising post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions, fibers and articles produced therefrom, and methods for producing same. In a further aspect, the invention relates to homogenized post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to extruded polymer compositions, polymer mixtures, fibers, and/or Bulked Continuous Filament fibers comprising post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Discrete, individualized carbon nanotubes having targeted, or selective, oxidation levels and/or content on the interior and exterior of the tube walls can be used for nanotube-mediated controlled delivery of degradative molecules, such as oxidizers and enzymes, for oil-field drilling applications. A manufacturing process using minimal acid oxidation for carbon nanotubes may also be used which provides higher levels of oxidation compared to other known manufacturing processes.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a novel approach to the utilization of the fine mineral matter derived from coal and/or coal refuse (a by-product of coal refining) to convert a non-biodegradable plastic into a biodegradable plastic. The fine mineral matter could also be based on volcanic basalt, glacial rock dust deposits, iron potassium silicate and other sea shore mined deposits. The conversion of the non-biodegradable plastic into biodegradable plastic in soil further increases nutrients availability in soil with the transition metals released as a result of biodegradation of the biodegradable plastic.