Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing an electron-beam coating on a flexible substrate. A continuously looping master web is mated with the flexible substrate to cover the electron-beam coating when passing through an electron-beam curing unit. Curing of the electron-beam coating takes place in normal atmospheric conditions, thereby eliminating the need for nitrogen gas or the like in a curing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing an electron-beam coating on a flexible substrate. A continuously looping master web is mated with the flexible substrate to cover the electron-beam coating when passing through an electron-beam curing unit. Curing of the electron-beam coating takes place in normal atmospheric conditions, thereby eliminating the need for nitrogen gas or the like in a curing chamber.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to compositions for enhanced oil recovery. In some embodiments, such compositions include: (1) a first agent, wherein the first agent acts as a foam booster; (2) a second agent, wherein the second agent includes a sulfonated or sulfated anionic surfactant; a (3) a third agent, wherein the third agent includes an alkoxylated and anionic surfactant; and (4) a base liquid. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure further include a gas, such as nitrogen. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of formulating the aforementioned compositions for enhanced oil recovery. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of recovering oil from a reservoir by utilizing the aforementioned compositions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing an electron-beam coating on a flexible substrate. A continuously looping master web is mated with the flexible substrate to cover the electron-beam coating when passing through an electron-beam curing unit. Curing of the electron-beam coating takes place in normal atmospheric conditions, thereby eliminating the need for nitrogen gas or the like in a curing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a flexible substrate with uniformly spaced images and corresponding physical or virtual registration marks at regular intervals, applying an energy curable coating to the flexible substrate either uniformly or in selected spots, and providing a master web carrying uniformly spaced impressing images and corresponding registration marks at regular intervals, where accurate alignment of the registration marks of the flexible substrate and the master web is achieved by stretching the master web to align the registration marks.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to compositions for enhanced oil recovery. In some embodiments, such compositions include: (1) a first agent, wherein the first agent acts as a foam booster; (2) a second agent, wherein the second agent includes a sulfonated or sulfated anionic surfactant; a (3) a third agent, wherein the third agent includes an alkoxylated and anionic surfactant; and (4) a base liquid. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure further include a gas, such as nitrogen. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of formulating the aforementioned compositions for enhanced oil recovery. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of recovering oil from a reservoir by utilizing the aforementioned compositions.

Abstract: The techniques described herein implement an operating system that can reliably process time sensitive information in non real-time manner. Thus, the operating system described herein is capable of processing an instance of time sensitive input during a time period after the instance of time sensitive input is received (e.g., at a future point in time). To accomplish this, the techniques timestamp each instance of time sensitive input when it is received at a device. The techniques then store the timestamped instance of time sensitive input in a temporary queue, and make the timestamped instance available to the operating system at a time period after the time period when it is received, as indicated by the timestamp. Additional techniques described herein prioritize the activation of a driver configured to receive the time sensitive information during a boot sequence or a reboot sequence.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A composition and method demulsify a produced emulsion from anionic surfactants and polymer (SP) and alkali, surfactants, and polymer (ASP). The produced emulsion is demulsified into oil and water. In one embodiment, the composition includes a surfactant. The surfactant comprises a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: The techniques described herein implement an operating system that can reliably process time sensitive information in non real-time manner. Thus, the operating system described herein is capable of processing an instance of time sensitive input during a time period after the instance of time sensitive input is received (e.g., at a future point in time). To accomplish this, the techniques timestamp each instance of time sensitive input when it is received at a device. The techniques then store the timestamped instance of time sensitive input in a temporary queue, and make the timestamped instance available to the operating system at a time period after the time period when it is received, as indicated by the timestamp. Additional techniques described herein prioritize the activation of a driver configured to receive the time sensitive information during a boot sequence or a reboot sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate, more specifically a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising surfactant and water, wherein the surfactant comprises a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate with a chain length of greater than C20 and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate selected from an ethoxylated glycidyl sulfonate and a propoxylated glycidyl sulfonate. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises a blend of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A composition and method demulsify a produced emulsion from anionic surfactants and polymer (SP) and alkali, surfactants, and polymer (ASP). The produced emulsion is demulsified into oil and water. In one embodiment, the composition includes a surfactant. The surfactant comprises a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a flexible substrate with uniformly spaced images and corresponding physical or virtual registration marks at regular intervals, applying an energy curable coating to the flexible substrate either uniformly or in selected spots, and providing a master web carrying uniformly spaced impressing images and corresponding registration marks at regular intervals, where accurate alignment of the registration marks of the flexible substrate and the master web is achieved by stretching the master web to align the registration marks.

Abstract: A method for processing a bitumen froth comprising bitumen, water and solids including fine solids for reducing the solids concentration in diluted bitumen is provided comprising diluting the bitumen froth with a hydrocarbon diluent to form a dilfroth; adding a sufficient amount of a silicate to the dilfroth to cause a substantial amount of fine solids to associate with the water instead of the diluted bitumen; and allowing the diluted bitumen to separate from the water containing the substantial amount of fine solids to produce a dilbit having less than 3 percent by weight solids.

Abstract: The method for applying a cast finish to a printed substrate is a method for applying aesthetically pleasing coatings and finishes, including embossed, gloss and holographic finishes and images, to flexible printed substrates, such as packaging, posters, etc. The method involves sealing the ink on a printed surface of the printed substrate with a coating, laminating a film onto the printed surface of the printed substrate, curing the printed surface of the printed substrate with ultraviolet lighting, removing the transparent film from the printed surface of the printed substrate, and moving the printed substrate to a stacking unit. A machine for carrying out the process includes a coating unit, a laminating unit, a film handling unit, a series of ultraviolet lights for curing the coating, a stacking unit for retaining the coated substrates, and a series of belts and rollers for moving the substrates through the machine.

Abstract: A lockable key comprises a handle, a flange, a shaft, a first spring, a second spring, and two depressible balls. The handle is connected to the top of said flange, and the shaft is connected to the bottom of the flange. The shaft provides two lateral appendages, and he first spring is coiled around the shaft between the flange and the two lateral appendages. The shaft terminates in a tapered region that provides apertures through which the depressible balls depend. The second spring is mounted internal to the shaft and acts to push the depressible balls outwardly through the apertures.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the water permeability of a water producing zone in a subterranean formation are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing a polymeric surfactant and an inert gas into the water producing zone to thereby form a water permeability reducing foam therein. The polymeric surfactant has the property of facilitating the formation of the foam and the additional property of stabilizing the foam in the presence of flowing formation water.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the water permeability of a water producing zone in a subterranean formation are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing a polymeric surfactant and an inert gas into the water producing zone to thereby form a water permeability reducing foam therein. The polymeric surfactant has the property of facilitating the formation of the foam and the additional property of stabilizing the foam in the presence of flowing formation water.