Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.

Abstract: A method for demulsifying a recovered drilling fluid is disclosed. A recovered drilling fluid is first combined with dilution water and a diethanolamine-based C8-C18 alkanolamide demulsifying agent. The recovered drilling fluid comprises hydrocarbons, a brine having at least 25% total dissolved solids, an emulsifier, and undissolved oil-wetted solids. In a second step, the mixture is separated, or is allowed to separate, into three distinct phases, including a clear oil phase comprising the hydrocarbons, a clear brine phase, and a water-wetted solid phase. Compositions suitable for use as demulsifiers and demulsified compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate encrypted transaction receipts. An example device includes a transaction information cache to store unencrypted transaction information from a vendor. The device may include an encrypter that converts the transaction information into an encrypted receipt based on a first vendor key of an asymmetric key pair and a customer passcode, wherein the encrypted receipt decodes to plain text of the unencrypted transaction information with a second vendor key of the asymmetric key pair and the customer passcode. The device may include an encrypted receipt transmitter to transfer the encrypted receipt.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an acrylamide polymer emulsion and a nonionic surfactant suitable for use as friction reducers for hydraulic fracturing are disclosed. The nonionic surfactants include aralkylated phenol ethoxylates, amine ethoxylates, amidoamine ethoxylates, linear or branched alcohol EO/PO alkoxylates, ethoxylated alcohols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and EO-capped poly(oxypropylene) block copolymers. Improved hydraulic fracturing processes in which an acrylamide polymer emulsion is used as a friction reducer are also described. In these processes, the surfactant is included in the composition with the acrylamide polymer friction reducer, or it is introduced separately into the process. The performance of low-cost polyacrylamide friction reducers can be boosted with a small proportion of certain readily available nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.

Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.

Abstract: Mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions are disclosed. The mixed dimer compositions comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof. The monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. The mixed oligomer compositions comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof. The mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Various methods for making the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions are described. Salts of the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions are useful surfactants for foams used in oilfield and other applications. The foams have improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a race track trailer system for transporting and using a race track for use with one or more radio-controlled vehicles. The race track trailer system includes a trailer and a race track for use with one or more radio-controlled vehicles.

Abstract: A detection system method of color balancing an image includes receiving an image of a test area of a pad which includes a color of a reaction between a test substance and at least one reagent on the test area of the pad, an alignment code having detection system identification information, at least one color calibration block indicia for aligning with a camera as the image is being captured, and test identification information for analyzing the test substance during a colorimetric analysis. The method further includes collecting an array of pixels of RGB values for each pixel in the image, evaluating a captured color of the at least one color calibration block in the image, and performing the colorimetric analysis on the reaction between the test substance and the at least one reagent.

Abstract: A receptacle for detecting a targeted substance is provided and may include at least one chamber configured to accommodate a reagent and a test swab. A first opening may be provided at a first end of the receptacle and a testing area may be provided at a second end of the receptacle. The receptacle may further include an image, readable by an image sensor, that is positioned a predetermined distance from the testing area and configured to facilitate alignment of the image sensor with the testing area for a colorimetric analysis of the targeted substance.

Abstract: Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide the ability for a docking station to authorize a user to utilize the docking station. In one example method, the docking station determines whether a computing device is docked to the docking station and, upon determining the computing device is docked to the docking station, the docking station determines whether a user associated with the computing device is an authorized user of the docking station. As an example, if the user is an authorized user of the docking station, the docking station enables ports of the docking station for access by the computing device.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to payment authorization. An example payment authorization may include receiving an image of a custom gesture recorded via a camera coupled to a payment device, receiving payment information via the payment device, and decoding the custom image and the payment information. Payment authorization may also include encrypting the custom image and the payment information, sending the encrypted custom image and the encrypted payment information to a secure server, and decrypting, via the secure server, the encrypted custom image and the encrypted payment information. Payment authorization may further include comparing the custom image to a database of custom images, comparing the payment information to a database of known payment information, and sending an encrypted payment authentication response to the device.

Abstract: Examples associated point of sale peripheral control are disclosed. One example includes point of sale peripheral connectors to which point of sale peripheral devices are connected. The example also includes a remote device interface to communicate with remote devices that operate respective point of sale modules. The example also includes a point of sale peripheral control module to provide signals to and receive signals from the point of sale peripheral devices. The example also includes an interface module to translate signals between formats used by the point of sale peripheral devices and the remote devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include modified nonionic surfactant formulations having a nonionic surfactant and a pour point depressant, where the modified nonionic surfactant formulations have a pour point of ?3° C. to ?54° C. In one or more embodiments, the modified nonionic surfactant formulations can be introduced into a flow of carbon dioxide, where the flow of carbon dioxide and the modified nonionic surfactant formulation are injected into an oil containing reservoir. In one or more embodiments, an emulsion of the carbon dioxide and the nonionic surfactant form in the oil containing reservoir, where the use of the pour point depressant provides minimal interference in forming the emulsion.

Abstract: Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions are disclosed. The mixed dimer compositions comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof. The monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. The mixed oligomer compositions comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof. The mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Various methods for making the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions are described. Salts of the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions are useful surfactants for foams used in oilfield and other applications. The foams have improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a point of sale (POS) system includes a host device having a merchant-facing touch-screen display to enable a merchant to conduct a payment transaction at a point of sale. The POS system also includes a customer-facing e-paper display integrated with the host device to display details of the transaction to a customer.

Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.