Abstract: Embodiments include drilling a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and the wellbore includes a radio frequency antenna destination portion that is configured to receive a radio frequency antenna; forming a low dielectric zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate to the radio frequency antenna destination portion with a cavity based process or a squeezing based process; positioning the radio frequency antenna into the radio frequency antenna destination portion such that the radio frequency antenna is proximate to the low dielectric zone; dielectric heating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the radio frequency antenna such that the low dielectric zone increases dissipation of energy from the radio frequency antenna into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and extracting hydrocarbons from the heated hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The material has a dielectric constant of less than or equal to 20, a loss tangent of less than or equal to 0.4, and a porosity of less than or equal to 5%.

Abstract: Embodiments include drilling a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and the wellbore includes a radio frequency antenna destination portion that is configured to receive a radio frequency antenna; forming a low dielectric zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate to the radio frequency antenna destination portion with a cavity based process or a squeezing based process; positioning the radio frequency antenna into the radio frequency antenna destination portion such that the radio frequency antenna is proximate to the low dielectric zone; dielectric heating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the radio frequency antenna such that the low dielectric zone increases dissipation of energy from the radio frequency antenna into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and extracting hydrocarbons from the heated hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The material has a dielectric constant of less than or equal to 20, a loss tangent of less than or equal to 0.4, and a porosity of less than or equal to 5%.

Abstract: A process for removing aluminum contaminants from the product of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction wherein said contaminants comprise at least 1 ppm of aluminum expressed as elemental metal in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) collecting the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor; (b) forming a mixture comprising the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product, at least an equal molar amount of a dicarboxylic acid containing from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms based upon the amount of aluminum present, and sufficient water for the dicarboxylic acid to form hydrogen ions; (c) maintaining the mixture under pre-selected conditions for a time sufficient for the aluminum contaminant and the dicarboxylic acid to form an aluminum containing precipitate having an effective diameter of greater than about 1 micron; (d) passing the mixture of step (c) through a particulate removal zone capable of removing su

Abstract: A process for removing aluminum contaminants from the product of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction wherein said contaminants comprise at least 1 ppm of aluminum expressed as elemental metal in aluminum-containing contaminants having an effective diameter of less than 1 micron, said process comprising the steps of (a) collecting the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor; (b) forming a mixture comprising the contaminated Fischer-Tropsch product, at least an equal molar amount of a dicarboxylic acid containing from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms based upon the amount of aluminum present, and sufficient water for the dicarboxylic acid to form hydrogen ions; (c) maintaining the mixture under pre-selected conditions for a time sufficient for the aluminum contaminant and the dicarboxylic acid to form an aluminum containing precipitate having an effective diameter of greater than about 1 micron; (d) passing the mixture of step (c) through a particulate removal zone capable of removing su

Abstract: A calcium-containing hydrocarbonaceous material is treated with an aqueous mixture, comprising acetate ion and an alkaline material and having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 5.0, in order to extract at least a portion of the calcium from the hydrocarbonaceous material into the aqueous phase. Acetic acid is a suitable source of acetate ion. Ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are example alkaline materials.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch product by distillation are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing soluble (and ultra-fine particulate) contamination, fouling agents, and/or plugging precursors from the Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing step is substantially avoided.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream with an ion exchange medium are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing contamination from a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing step is substantially avoided.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch product stream with an acid are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing contamination from the Fischer-Tropsch product stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing step is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An improved control system for a sailing vessel for controlling the position of the sail and the rudder, and affixed to a slidable seat apparatus. A movement of the seat apparatus does not alter the position of the sail or the rudder. A ballast control, steering control and sail control are located on the slidable seat apparatus. The slidable seat apparatus provides a ballast control means using the helmsperson's weight and the seat itself as movable ballast. Furthermore, the steering control and the sail controls are mounted to the movable seat and are operable independently and simultaneously with the movement of the seat. A base provides a base connection means for the seat, and in the case of a multi-hull embodiment of the sailboat, the base is substantially in the form of a scissoring “X” shape. The scissoring base functions as both a connecting means and a means to adjust the distance between the hulls for operation or storage.

Abstract: A novel lotion application system that allows a person to apply lotion to difficult-to-reach places on one's body, such as one's back. When the lotion application system cap is fixed onto a bottle containing lotion, a tether can be pulled through the cap bringing with it a portion of lotion that is carried by the tether as it passes through the lotion within the bottle. A person can draw the tether over his/her body, thus transferring the lotion from the tether to the skin. After use the tether is disposed to retract into the lotion bottle.