Abstract: Microcrystalline alpha-alumina based ceramic articles comprising at least 60% alumina by weight in which substantially all the alumina is in the alpha phase having a uniform grain structure comprising alpha alumina crystallites with an average crystallite size less than 0.5 micrometer and a density greater than 90% theoretical are disclosed. Ceramic articles particularly useful as high modulus refractory fibers, among other shaped bodies such as beads, flakes, coatings, and shaped or randomly-shaped abrasive particles, are produced from a unique sol-gel process wherein hydroxy iron polymers are utilized to nucleate the alpha alumina transformation. An inherent advantage of the unique process disclosed is the resulting fine grained microstructure which is essential if a ceramic article such as an alpha alumina fiber is to have reasonable strength.

Abstract: A series of water-dispersible corrosion and scale inhibiting solutions are disclosed which contain the reaction product of a phosphonate compound containing at least two phosphonate groups of the formula ##STR1## and an ethoxylated, propoxylated alkylphenol amine represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein R is an alkyl group containing about 5 to about 12 carbon atoms, X equals about 1 to about 20, and z equals about 1 to about 20.

Abstract: The invention is a method of producing a homogeneous oil-in-water microemulsion comprised of oil, brine and surfactant, wherein the oil has a equivalent alkane carbon number higher than the crude oil which is to be recovered by the microemulsion. A mixture of oil, water and surfactant is prepared in the same relative ratios to oil and surfactant as in the microemulsion desired to be injected, but at higher concentration relative to water and salt than in the microemulsion to be injected. The cloudy mixture is stirred while adding salt until the mixture changes to a clear oil-in-water microemulsion concentrate. The microemulsion concentrate is then mixed with sufficient water of the proper salinity to form the oil-in-water microemulsion desired to be injected.

Abstract: Sulfonated polymers and copolymers are used as thinners in aqueous drilling or packer fluids. The sulfonated polymer has polydispersity below 2 and has a low solution viscosity. It is generally a copolymer of beta-arylamidoalkane sulfonate or allyl sulfonate or other aliphatic sulfonate with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, generally acrylic acid.

Abstract: A fluid loss additive for oil-based well-working fluids, the fluid loss additive comprisingthe product of mixing in an oil or oil based liquid,(i) lignite or humic acid(ii) (a) an oil soluble or oil dispersible amine or amine salt;(b) an aliphatic amide or hydroxyamide, or a cyclic derivative thereof, containing no primary or secondary amine or amine salt groups; and/or(c) an oil soluble or oil dispersible amine salt containing at least one C.sub.1-22 alkyl, C.sub.2-22 alkenyl or C.sub.1-22 acyl group partially or fully salted with phosphoric acid; and(iii) a dimer and/or trimer fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified liquid phase drilling fluid having desirable properties of shale swelling inhibition, lubrication, and high temperature performance. The fluid does not rely on the incorporation of inorganic salts or high molecular weight water soluble polymers for control of shale swelling or shale disintegration and exhibits performance characteristics, approaching those of oil base drilling fluids, without the objectionable properties of hydrocarbon oils or its potential hazardous impact on the environment.

Abstract: Clear high density fluids for use as completion, packing and perforation media in oil and gas well formations having high carbonate and/or high sulfate ion concentration are formulated from aqueous solutions of zinc bromide and one or more alkali metal bromides and have densities lying in the range of about 15.0 to 20.5 lb./gal and a pH lying in the range of about 1.0 to 5.5, with the alkali metal bromide being provided in an amount approaching its solubility limit in water.

Abstract: A water-soluble graft copolymer of lignin-(2-propenamide)-(2-methyl-N7,N7-dimethyl-7-ammonium-3-oxo-4-oxyoct- 1-ene chloride or methylsulfate) having a central lignin network and at least one grafted side chain, R, having randomly repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## such that the central lignin network has a molecular weight of about 1,000 to 150,000 and the total number of randomly repeating units in the grafted side chain or chains is in the range of 50 to 300,000 such that the total copolymer molecular weight is in the range of 15,000 to 30,000,000.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion of metal equipment in wells comprises contacting the metal surfaces with an inhibiting amount of a corrosion inhibitor which is the reaction product of a compound containing a carbonyl group (e.g. aldehydes), an amine, and a thiocyanate.

Abstract: Multifunctional process antifoulant compositions and methods are disclosed. The compositions comprise (1) a polyalkenylthiophosphonic acid or ester thereof, and at least one additional antifouling component selected from the groups (2), (3) and (4) wherein (2) is an effective antioxidant compound adapted to inhibit oxygen based polymerization of said hydrocarbon or petrochemical, (3) is a corrosion inhibiting compound, and (4) is a metal deactivator. The process comprises adding from about 0.5-10,000 parts of the combination of (1) and additional antifoulant component(s) to the particular petrochemical or hydrocarbon for which multifunctional antifouling protection is desired.

Abstract: Improved solutions are proposed for an oil recovery process in which oil is displaced by a viscous alkaline aqueous solution. The improved aqueous alkaline solution contains a water-thickening partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymer and a stabilizer consisting essentially of a 2-mercaptobenzothiazole in the presence of a sulfur-containing oxygen scavenger. A readily oxidizable alcohol or glycol may also be included.

Abstract: An oil recovery process comprising contacting an oil deposit with a blend of chemicals containing a fluorochemical of the formula[(R.sub.f).sub.n (R').sub.p ].sub.m Z (I)wherein each R.sub.f is independently a perfluoroaliphatic or omega-hydroperfluoroaliphatic group each of which is optionally interrupted by carbonyl, carboxy, carbonylamino, oxygen, sulfur, sulfinyl, or sulfonyl; n is 1-3 and p is 0 or 1 provided what when p is 0, n is 1; m is 1-5000; each R' is independently an organic linking group between R.sub.f and Z having a valency of n+1; and Z is a hydrocarbyl containing residue of valency m.

Abstract: The disclosure is of the use of chrome humate derivatives to reduce the viscosity of and/or to prevent fluid loss in water-based drilling fluids. The composition is much more effective as a drilling mud thinner, and as a fluid loss control agent than the commercially available ferrochrome lignosulfonate, chrome lignite or humate compositions.

Abstract: A multicomponent liquid useful in treating wells or subterranean formations comprising ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and octyl alcohol. Also disclosed are clear aqueous acidic solutions of said liquid and the use thereof in treating wells or subterranean formations.

Abstract: A solid cast block of corrosion inhibitor composition, comprising: (i) about 5 to 20 wt-% silicate, calculated as sodium metasilicate pentahydrate; (ii) about 5 to 90 wt-% borate, calculated as sodium tetraborate pentahydrate; (iii) about 0.5 to 5 wt-% polymeric dispersant such as polyacrylamide; and (iv) a sufficient solidifying amount of water.

Abstract: Tubular, spheroidal, and helical lipid microstructures are individually clad with a metal coat deposited on the microstructures by an electroless plating bath. In metal cladding the microstructures, the surfaces of the lipid microstructures are sensitized by adsorption thereon of a catalytic precursor which enables metal from the electroless plating bath to deposit upon and adhere to the sensitized surface. The metal plate is electrically conductive and may also be magnetic. A composite material is produced by embedding the metal clad microstructures in a matrix of a polymer such as an epoxy or a polyurethane.

Abstract: Chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are blended into an aqueous dispersion of an unmodified starch comprising about 5% to about 25% by weight amylose. The dispersion, having an initial starch solids content of about 20% by weight, is characterized by completely disrupted starch granules and completely disassociated amylose molecules that are not significantly depolymerized. Subsequent drying is accomplished by reassociation of the amylose molecules which converts the dispersion into a protective matrix and binds the agents within the interstices of the reassociating starch chains. Rate of release of agents to the environment can be altered by varying the proportion of amylose in the starch. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides protection against degradative environmental conditions, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium.

Abstract: A surface-active block copolymer which comprises chemically linked polymeric blocks (A) and (B), block (A) of said copolymer consisting of at least one homo- or copolymerized non-polar alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and block (B) of said copolymer is derived by polymerizing an alpha-beta ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an epoxy group and transforming the epoxy group into an hydroxy-substituted ionic group, preferably an anionic group. These block copolymers are used as dispersing agents in aqueous dispersions, including polymeric latex dispersions, and as plasticizing agent in hydrophilic colloid layers, including colloid layers containing a dispersed light-sensitive silver halide emulsion or other auxiliary substances for photographic materials.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous polysaccharide compositions comprising 0.03 to 5% w/v of a water-soluble polysaccharide, 5 to 80% w/v of at least one salt of at least one mono- or divalent cation, wherein at least 0.05% w/v, based on the composition, of the at least one salt is formate, the balance of the at least one salt, if any, being at least one halide, a process for preparing the compositions, and their use in well-drilling operations.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing round, fluid filled microcapsules by the simultaneous extrusion, of core and shell material from coaxially aligned and concentric extrusion nozzles into a surrounding carrier fluid moving in the direction of the extrusion wherein a surfactant having affinity with the carrier fluid is added to the carrier fluid.When the carrier fluid is an oil based carrier, a lipophilic emulsifier such as a sorbitan monoester of a fatty acid can be used.