Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation having zones of varying permeablities to alter the flow profile of the formation wherein a specific gelant (i.e. an aqueous solution of ungelled gelatin) is injected into the more permeable zones and is allowed to gel to form a flow-blocking gel therein.

Abstract: A method and gelatin pig is provided for scraping and cleaning tubulars. The gelled, cleaning pig has a body comprised of gelled technical gelatin which has a hardened outer layer. The pig is molded in a size sufficient for the periphery of the body to contact the interior wall of the tubular to be cleaned. The outer surface of the gelatin is hardened by merely exposing the outer surface of the gelatin to the atmosphere (i.e. air) or by applying a hardener (e.g. aldehyde) to the outer surface. In operation, the gelatin pig is inserted into and passed through the pipeline to scrap and clean same. The pig is bio-degradable which can be accelerated by adding a bio-reactive agent, e.g. yeast, to the gelatin.

Abstract: A method and gelatin pig is provided for scraping and cleaning tubulars. The gelled, cleaning pig has a body comprised of gelled material, preferably technical gelatin, which has a hardened, frozen outer layer. The pig is molded in a size sufficient for the periphery of the body to contact the interior wall of the tubular to be cleaned. The frozen outer surface of the gelatin is formed by merely exposing the outer surface of the gelatin to (1) the atmosphere if the ambient temperature is above the freezing temperature of the gelatin or (2) artifical refrigeration. In operation, the gelatin pig is inserted into and passed through the pipeline to scrap and clean same. The gelatin pig is bio-degradable which can be accelerated by adding a bio-reactive agent, e.g. yeast, to the gelatin.

Abstract: A method for treating tubulars wherein a plurality of ablating, gelatin pigs are sequentially passed through the tubular to deposit a relatively thin film or protective layer of gelatin onto the wall of the tubular. All of the plurality of pigs are inserted into the tubular at a single insertion point but each pig substantially treats only its respective portion or length of the tubular. That is, a first pig deposits a gelatin layer on the wall of a first portion or length of the tubular, a second pig deposits a layer on a second portion or length of the tubular, and so forth.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating "spills" of materials, e.g. an offshore oil spill, wherein an ungelled mixture of gelatin is deposited onto the material and then allowed to gel. As the gelatin gels, it "traps" or entrains the material into the gelled mass of gelatin whereby the material can readily be retrieved by merely retrieving the gelled gelatin. The gelling of gelatin is fully reversible in that gelatin will return to its liquid state merely upon reheating, thereby allowing the spilled material to be separated from the gelatin so that the material can be recovered and the gelatin to be reused.

Abstract: A method for treating tubulars, e.g. a pipeline, wherein an ungelled gelatin solution is mixed with fluids flowing through the tubular to deposit a treatment layer onto the wall of the tubular. The ungelled gelatin is injected into the flowing fluids at a temperature which is at or above the temperature of the fluids in the pipeline. This keeps the gelatin solution liquid (i.e. ungelled) even after mixing with the fluids. Gelatin derived from collagen is mixed with a liquid (e.g water) and heated. A separate treating solution (e.g. anti-freeze, corrosion inhibitor, and/or a drag reducer) can be added into the ungelled gelatin solution as it is mixed. The concentration of gelatin in the solution concentration of gelatin in said ungelled solution is the maximum amount which will allow the solution to remain ungelled at said the temperature of the flowing fluids.

Abstract: An ablating gelatin pig for use in tubulars which can easily negotiate the bends, etc in a tubular. Due to the properties of gelatin, the pig will ablate thereby depositing a protective layer onto the wall of the tubular. The pig can be molded outside the tubular or it can be formed in situ. The pig is formed by mixing common gelatin with a heated liquid and then allowing the mixture to cool to ambient temperature. Preferably, the liquid includes a treating solution (e.g. corrosion inhibitor, drag reducer, etc ) which is to be used to treat the pipeline. In some applications, a slug of the treating solution is also passed through the pipeline between two ablating gelatin pigs. For high temperatures applications, a hardener may be added to the pig to increase the melting temperature of the pig and/or a slug of the hardener can also be passed through the pipeline between two ablating gelatin pigs if necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tubulars (e.g. pipelines, flowlines, tubing, casing, etc.) for corrosion, drag reduction, or the like wherein a mass comprised of a gelatin mixture and magnetic particles is passed through the tubular to deposit a protective layer onto the inner wall of the tubular. The micro particles of magnetized material are entrained within the mass of gelatin and are deposited along with the gelatin to aid in adhering the protective layer on the tubular wall.

Abstract: A method for detecting incipient flashover of power line insulators by use of an image intensifier to detect electromagnetic radiation generated by electrical leakage. To improve detection sensitivity, a stimulus such as ultraviolet radiation or an externally applied RF pulse is used to momentarily increase insulator leakage to generate detectable electrical leakage at contaminated insulators.

Abstract: A method for treating well tubulars and elements (e.g. tubing, casing, sucker rods, etc.) for corrosion, drag reduction, or the like wherein a mass of gelatin is passed downward through the tubular to deposit a protective layer onto the wall of the tubular and/or element. Preferably, the mass of gelatin contains a treating solution therein which forms part of the protective layer. Since such treating solutions can severely damage the production and/or injection formation, the mass is stopped before it completely travels through the tubular and circulation is reversed to return any remaining mass of gelatin and solution back up the tubular towards the surface.

Abstract: Magnetic field sensing circuits including wire coils and Hall effect devices are provided which produce high-gain output for a relatively low change in perceived field intensity. Series connected plural Hall effect devices are connected to the coil and include amplifier and integrator circuits interposed at selected points between Hall effect devices to modify the output signal gain and passband. The circuits may include diode and capacitance elements to modify the circuit output signal.

Abstract: A process of synthesizing an end product within an integrated engine-reactor wherein an initial product, e.g., syngas, is generated within a first chamber of the engine-reactor. This product is contacted with a catalyst in a second chamber within the engine-reactor to catalytically synthesize an end product, e.g., methanol, which is then expanded within the engine-reactor to rapidly cool the end product before it is exhausted from the engine-reactor.

Abstract: A method of reducing drag (friction) of a gas (e.g. natural gas) flowing in a gas pipeline at a constant pressure drop between a first point and a second point. The gas flowrate is monitored at the second point as a drag reducer is injected into the gas flow at the first point. The injection rate of the drag reducer is adjusted to provide the maximum flowrate at the second point with the minimum amount of drag reducer. The excess drag reducer is removed from the gas flow at the second point and monitored. Once the maximum flowrate is stabilized, the injection rate of the drag reducer is adjusted to approximately the same rate as any excess drag reducer is being removed at said second point.

Abstract: Relatively minute changes in magnetic field intensity are sensed by a circuit including a wire coil connected to a Hall effect element to provide the bias current to the element. The Hall effect element is disposed in the magnetic field with the coil and the output signal of the element is proportional to the square of the intensity of the magnetic field. The circuit is included in a device for measuring magnetic anomalies such as stress or corrosion cracks in structures of magnetic material including fluid transmission pipelines.

Abstract: A method for producing a high yield explosion without radioactive fallout comprising filling an expendible structure with an explosive mixture of a combustible gas (e.g. methane) and an oxidizer gas (e.g. oxygen) and then detonating said mixture.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus wherein large volumes of normally cryogenic gases, like oxygen and nitrogen, can be safely stored as "quasi-liquids" at room temperatures. The dangers and hazards normally associated with the storage of highly compressed gases are greatly reduced by the invention. A gas adsorbing material fills the containing vessel and, thereby, limits the maximum rate at which gas can leave the vessel.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to acetylene is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon fuel is compressed, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a portion of the compressed hydrocarbon fuel and ignited to produce heat which causes the remaining portion of the hydrocarbon fuel to react to form a product gas containing acetylene.

Abstract: An ultra-high power exploding wire system for enhancing a chemical and/or physical reaction including embodiments that are capable of multiple firing. An element containing a plurality of members constructed of explodible material, e.g. metal or semi-conductor material, is movably mounted in the housing of a chemical/physical reactor. A firing means is provided in the housing which will explode the members when the element is moved into contact therewith. A pulse power supply is electrically connected to the element and to the firing means to provide electrical power for exploding the members.

Abstract: A method for applying electrical energy within a reactant chamber to enhance a process being carried out in said chamber. The chamber is filled solely or in part with an electrical energy-producing material which will produce electrical energy when excited. In one embodiment the electrical energy-producing material is a piezoelectric material, e.g. Rochelle salt, which is excited by a stress exerted by a piston within the chamber. In another embodiment, the electrical energy-producing material is a ferroelectric material, e.g. barium titanate, which is excited by an external electrical field applied through an electrode within the chamber. In certain processes, e.g. adsorption, catalysis, etc., the electrical energy-producing material may be mixed with an appropriate process material, e.g. adsorbent, catalyst, etc., to form the bed of material in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing a stabilized area by positioning a plurality of heat transfer tubes on or below the surface of the stabilized area and flowing a coolant through the tubes to maintain a stabilized area in a frozen condition. Water may also be frozen over the stabilized area.