Abstract: A process for recovery of hydrocarbons in a production fluid from an underground reservoir of said hydrocarbons, the process comprising of: (a) injecting a viscosity reducing solvent of a fraction of said hydrocarbons into said reservoir at a pressure in the reservoir of above a liquid/vapor phase change pressure of a fraction of said solvent; said pressure in said reservoir also being sufficient to cause geomechanical formation dilation or pore fluid compression, and then, (b) allowing said solvent to mix with said hydrocarbons under pore dilation conditions, and then, (c) reducing the pressure in said reservoir to below said liquid/vapor phase change pressure of at least said fraction of said solvent thereby evincing solvent gas drive of said fraction of said hydrocarbons from said reservoir; and then, (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) as required.

Abstract: A process for recovery of hydrocarbons in a production fluid from an underground reservoir of said hydrocarbons, the process comprising of: (a) injecting a viscosity reducing solvent of a fraction of said hydrocarbons into said reservoir at a pressure in the reservoir of above a liquid/vapor phase change pressure of a fraction of said solvent; said pressure in said reservoir also being sufficient to cause geomechanical formation dilation or pore fluid compression, and then, (b) allowing said solvent to mix with said hydrocarbons under pore dilation conditions, and then, (c) reducing the pressure in said reservoir to below said liquid/vapor phase change pressure of at least said fraction of said solvent thereby evincing solvent gas drive of said fraction of said hydrocarbons from said reservoir; and then, (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) as required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing inelastic neutron scattering for measuring the volume fractions of the various constituents of a multiconstituent substance. A source of fast neutrons is positioned proximate the substance. A detection system is provided to monitor the gamma emissions resulting from inelastic scattering of the fast neutrons from the various nuclides within the substance. The resulting measurement of the relative abundance of gamma emissions characteristic of the various nuclides within the substance is used to determine the relative concentrations of the major constituents of the substance. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is used to provide a real-time measurement of the volume fractions of oil, gas and water in the production flowstream from an oil well.

Abstract: A process for heating and softening of hard water by direct heat exchange with steam. The steam is directly sparged into the hard water within a reaction zone and condensed in the water under a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling at the reaction zone temperature. The heated water is then withdrawn from the reaction zone without substantial vaporization of water and filtered to remove scale precipitates resulting from the heating step. At least a portion of the softened water may be heated to generate wet steam which is then recirculated to the reaction zone and sparged into the hard water therein.