Abstract: A method of screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method includes dissolving petroleum hydrocarbons in a selected solvent to form a first solution, adding an ionic liquid to the first solution and blending to form a second solution and measuring absorbance of the second solution using spectroscopic techniques. The solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons in the solvent is then determined based on the difference between the measured absorbance of the first and second solution. A system for screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is also disclosed. The system can be used in removal of wax deposition in refinery process equipment, process flow lines, during piping operations, up-gradation of wax, prevention of clogging of pipelines, processing of sludge or for removing sludge from petroleum tank installations and enhancing the crude oil flow.

Abstract: A method of screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method includes dissolving petroleum hydrocarbons in a selected solvent to form a first solution, adding an ionic liquid to the first solution and blending to form a second solution and measuring absorbance of the second solution using spectroscopic techniques. The solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons in the solvent is then determined based on the difference between the measured absorbance of the first and second solution. A system for screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is also disclosed. The system can be used in removal of wax deposition in refinery process equipment, process flow lines, during piping operations, up-gradation of wax, prevention of clogging of pipelines, processing of sludge or for removing sludge from petroleum tank installations and enhancing the crude oil flow.

Abstract: A method of screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method includes dissolving petroleum hydrocarbons in a selected solvent to form a first solution, adding an ionic liquid to the first solution and blending to form a second solution and measuring absorbance of the second solution using spectroscopic techniques. The solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons in the solvent is then determined based on the difference between the measured absorbance of the first and second solution. A system for screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is also disclosed. The system can be used in removal of wax deposition in refinery process equipment, process flow lines, during piping operations, upgradation of wax, prevention of clogging of pipelines, processing of sludge or for removing sludge from petroleum tank installations and enhancing the crude oil flow.

Abstract: Gas hydrate slurry formation systems are provided. The gas hydrate slurry formation system includes a cavitation chamber configured to receive a fluid and a cavitation device placed within the cavitation chamber. The cavitation device is configured to form a plurality of bubbles within the fluid in the cavitation chamber. The gas hydrate slurry formation system also includes a gas inlet configured to introduce a gas within the cavitation chamber such that the gas is entrained in the plurality of bubbles to form a plurality of gas-entrained bubbles. The plurality of gas-entrained bubbles implode within the cavitation chamber to form a gas hydrate slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rheological parameters of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber containing a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multiphase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member includes a first set of threads formed on a first portion of the rotor member submersed in the first phase of the multi-phase fluid and a second set of threads formed on a second portion of the rotor member submersed in the second phase of the multi-phase fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rheological properties of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber configured to contain a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multi-phase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member is rotatable about a horizontal rotational axis within the static chamber and the static chamber and the rotor member are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: Gas hydrate slurry formation systems are provided. The gas hydrate slurry formation system includes a cavitation chamber configured to receive a fluid and a cavitation device placed within the cavitation chamber. The cavitation device is configured to form a plurality of bubbles within the fluid in the cavitation chamber. The gas hydrate slurry formation system also includes a gas inlet configured to introduce a gas within the cavitation chamber such that the gas is entrained in the plurality of bubbles to form a plurality of gas—entrained bubbles. The plurality of gas-entrained bubbles implode within the cavitation chamber to form a gas hydrate slurry.

Abstract: A method of screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method includes dissolving petroleum hydrocarbons in a selected solvent to form a first solution, adding an ionic liquid to the first solution and blending to form a second solution and measuring absorbance of the second solution using spectroscopic techniques. The solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons in the solvent is then determined based on the difference between the measured absorbance of the first and second solution. A system for screening solvents for the solubilization of petroleum hydrocarbons is also disclosed. The system can be used in removal of wax deposition in refinery process equipment, process flow lines, during piping operations, upgradation of wax, prevention of clogging of pipelines, processing of sludge or for removing sludge from petroleum tank installations and enhancing the crude oil flow.

Abstract: Methods and systems for hydrocarbon material recovery include injecting a monomer-containing solution into a subterranean formation that contains some amount of a hydrocarbon material. The monomer-containing solution includes at least one monomer that may polymerize into a polymer when exposed to a temperature above a monomer polymerization temperature. The subterranean formation may be at a temperature about equal to or greater than the polymerization temperature. Thus, the monomer-containing solution may polymerize in the formation based on temperature. Additional chemical polymerization agents may not be needed for polymerization.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rheological properties of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber configured to contain a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multi-phase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member is rotatable about a horizontal rotational axis within the static chamber and the static chamber and the rotor member are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rheological parameters of a multi-phase fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a static chamber containing a multi-phase fluid having at least a first phase and a second phase. The apparatus also includes a rotor member submersed in the multiphase fluid in the static chamber. The rotor member includes a first set of threads formed on a first portion of the rotor member submersed in the first phase of the multi-phase fluid and a second set of threads formed on a second portion of the rotor member submersed in the second phase of the multi-phase fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for degrading oil sludge are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of degrading an oil sludge in a pipeline may involve introducing a microbial mixture comprising a Pseudomonas sp. and a nutrient medium into the pipeline such that the microbial mixture contacts the oil sludge. In some embodiments, the Pseudomonas sp. may be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, or any combination thereof. In a further embodiment, a method of biodegrading an oil sludge may involve contacting the oil sludge with a microbial mixture comprising a Pseudomonas sp. and a nutrient medium, wherein about 70% to about 99% of the oil sludge is degraded in a period of about 1 day to about 3 days.