Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions and methods directed to thermally stable catalyst systems, which display stable physical properties and/or stable catalytic properties after thermal pretreatment at a temperature in the range of about 600° C. to about 1000° C. The catalyst systems include metal particles which contain a stable metal and a catalytic metal deposited on a porous support. Embodiments of the disclosure include catalyst systems that can be used in high temperature applications such as the hybrid sulfur cycle. The hybrid sulfur cyclic is an elevated temperature and high acid reaction that may be conducted using concentrated sulfuric acid heated to 800° C. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide thermally stable catalysts and methods to produce thermally stable catalysts that remain active for at least 80 hours' exposure to these harsh conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions and methods directed to thermally stable catalyst systems, which display stable physical properties and/or stable catalytic properties after thermal pretreatment at a temperature in the range of about 600° C. to about 1000° C. The catalyst systems include metal particles which contain a stable metal and a catalytic metal deposited on a porous support. Embodiments of the disclosure include catalyst systems that can be used in high temperature applications such as the hybrid sulfur cycle. The hybrid sulfur cyclic is an elevated temperature and high acid reaction that may be conducted using concentrated sulfuric acid heated to 800° C. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide thermally stable catalysts and methods to produce thermally stable catalysts that remain active for at least 80 hours' exposure to these harsh conditions.

Abstract: Supported, bimetallic catalyst systems are provided. The supported, bimetallic catalyst system can include a support defining a surface; a core metal positioned on the surface of the support; and a shell metal positioned on the core metal to form a core-shell particle on the surface of the support. The core metal has a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the shell metal. Methods are also provided for the formation of such supported, bimetallic catalyst systems, as well as the use of such supported, bimetallic catalyst systems in chemical processes.

Abstract: Supported, bimetallic catalyst systems are provided. The supported, bimetallic catalyst system can include a support defining a surface; a core metal positioned on the surface of the support; and a shell metal positioned on the core metal to form a core-shell particle on the surface of the support. The core metal has a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the shell metal. Methods are also provided for the formation of such supported, bimetallic catalyst systems, as well as the use of such supported, bimetallic catalyst systems in chemical processes.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing particles of a platinum metal element on a carbon substrate. An aqueous solution of a platinum metal element complex is prepared by dissolving the platinum metal element complex in water not exceeding the pore volume of the carbon substrate to be impregnated. The pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted if necessary, to a value of less than 2. A carbon substrate is dry impregnated with the aqueous solution and dried at ambient conditions. The platinum metal complex-loaded substrate is heated to a temperature of about 200° to 300° C. under reducing conditions. The platinum metal particles so formed are preferably about 15 to about 25 ? in diameter. The carbon substrate is used to make a carbon membrane or electrode having highly dispersed platinum metal elements of at least 120 m2 Pt/g Pt at platinum metal loadings of at least 20%.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus are disclosed for performing cuts in a subterranean well. The apparatus utilizes linear shaped charges arranged in an endless pattern which are used to cut a pattern in a downhole structure. The charges are discharged to perform the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting wellbores is provided which is convenient and economical in its performance. In a described embodiment, milling is not required for forming an opening through a sidewall of casing positioned in a parent wellbore. Instead, an appendage is formed from the casing sidewall and deformed outwardly into a void. A lateral wellbore may then be drilled through the casing sidewall. A liner may be positioned in the lateral wellbore and attached to the appendage.

Abstract: A method of testing an explosive charge using a uniform shaped charge testing standard that is simulative of naturally occuring Berea sandstone test specimens. A quantity of zircon sand is mixed with from 3% to 8% by weight of the total mixture of a phenolic resin and then agitated to achieve desired density of the mixture for subsequent controlled heating to cure the mass into a molded shape suitable for explosives testing. An explosive shaped charge is detonated in the proximity of the standard, and the penetration of the shaped charge on the standard is measured.

Abstract: A modular perforating gun employing only secondary explosives therein, of a design permitting guns to be made up in tandem like drill pipe. The tandem guns have no physically connected shaped charge initiating devices therebetween, each gun being actuated by an acceptor booster charge which is initiated by a shaped donor charge at the bottom of the next higher gun.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a detonating cord of polygonal cross section having three or more substantially flat sides of substantially equal length and substantially equal included angles between each of the sides.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly is provided for use in a perforating gun of the type used to perforate oil or gas wells. The assembly includes at least one shaped charge including an outer case having an outer surface and a first shoulder extending radially outward from the outer surface. The assembly also includes a carrier having an opening therethrough large enough to receive the outer surface of the case, and having a resilient tab extending into the opening for frictionally engaging at least a first portion of the outer surface of the case, and for thereby holding the shaped charge in place relative to the carrier with the shoulder of the shaped charge abutting the carrier.

Abstract: A perforating gun apparatus includes an elongated radially resilient carrier with a plurality of capsule type shaped charges attached to the carrier in a circumferentially phased pattern. The carrier is capable of passing downward through restricted diameter openings and subsequently expanding so as to hold the shaped charges with a near zero standoff from the well bore which is to be perforated.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly includes a strip type carrier having openings therein for receiving shaped charges. Each of the openings includes first and second diagonally opposed pairs of resilient tabs for snugly engaging an outer case of the shaped charge. In a preferred embodiment, every second one of the openings includes first and second elongated cord receiving slots communicated therewith, so that the assembly can be put together without threading a free end of a firing cord through openings in the carrier. Integral intermediate portions of the firing cord can be placed through the alternate openings in the elongated cord receiving slots associated therewith without threading the free ends of the firing cord therethrough.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly includes a strip type carrier having openings therein for receiving shaped charges. Each of the openings includes first and second diagonally opposed pairs of resilient tabs for snugly engaging an outer case of the shaped charge. In a preferred embodiment, every second one of the openings includes first and second elongated cord receiving slots communicated therewith, so that the assembly can be put together without threading a free end of a firing cord through openings in the carrier. Integral intermediate portions of the firing cord can be placed through the alternate openings in the elongated cord receiving slots associated therewith without threading the free ends of the firing cord therethrough.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly is provided for use in a perforating gun of the type used to perforate oil or gas wells. The assembly includes at least one shaped charge including an outer case having an outer surface and a first shoulder extending radially outward from the outer surface. The assembly also includes a carrier having an opening therethrough large enough to receive the outer surface of the case, and having a resilient tab extending into the opening for frictionally engaging at least a first portion of the outer surface of the case, and for thereby holding the shaped charge in place relative to the carrier with the shoulder of the shaped charge abutting the carrier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the joining of one tubular member to another tubular member through the use of the substantially instantaneous application of high energy to the tubular members, such as by the use of explosives, while placing one tubular member in a state of substantially elastic deformation and the other tubular member in a state of substantially plastic and elastic deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method having particular utility in quickly releasing the moorings of large vessels and offshore platforms. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pair of pyrotechnic cutting torches disposed in a housing included as a structural member in a submerged mooring, such as an anchor chain. The housing divides at one end into a shackle comprising substantially parallel laterally spaced walls, each having an aperture therethrough. A common anchor chain link is inserted between the walls of the shackle and a shackle pin is inserted through the wall apertures and the link to secure the link to the housing. The cutting torches are disposed in the same plane as the link, and the torch nozzles oriented so as to sever the link on both sides of the pin when the torches are ignited, in order to release the chain therefrom. The other end of the housing comprises a clevis, secured to the anchor chain by a Kenter shackle.

Abstract: A back-off tool comprising an explosive contained in a tubular housing which will disintegrate into fine particles upon detonation of the explosive. The explosive may be in the form of pellets so as to have the capability to vary the amount of explosive force by employing different diameter pellets and different numbers of pellets in the housing. A pressure compensation arrangement may be employed.

Abstract: A perforating gun carrier comprising an inner substantially tubular housing within an outer substantially tubular sleeve. The inner housing includes gun ports extending through the wall thereof in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of shaped charges to be carried within. The sleeve may be secured to the housing by welding, soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding or other known method, may be shrink-fit onto the housing, or may be mechanically secured thereon.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a tubing conveyed well perforating system used for the completion of formations for both testing and production wherein the primary detonating mechanism of the firing mechanism includes a housing assembly, a capsule assembly retained within the housing assembly having an explosive contained therein adapted to detonate an explosive in the perforating gun of the perforating system, a booster assembly retained within the housing adapted to detonate the explosive in the capsule assembly, and a striker assembly retained by the striker assembly adapted to cause the detonation of the explosive in the booster assembly upon impact therewith.