Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recovering beer during a beer brewing process. In the method, yeast entrained in beer 36 is recovered from a fermentation step 32. The yeast is separated from the beer to provide recovered beer 42. The recovered beer 42 is passed through an ultraviolet (UV) photo-sterilization unit 46, to provide sterilized recovered beer 48 which is recycled to the fermentation step 32. The invention uses ultraviolet light to achieve a microbially safe beer recovered from surplus yeast, and the recovered beer is recycled back to the brewing process, thereby saving financially as well as water loss.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recovering beer during a beer brewing process. In the method, yeast entrained in beer 36 is recovered from a fermentation step 32. The yeast is separated from the beer to provide recovered beer 42. The recovered beer 42 is passed through an ultraviolet (UV) photo-sterilization unit 46, to provide sterilized recovered beer 48 which is recycled to the fermentation step 32. The invention uses ultraviolet light to achieve a microbially safe beer recovered from surplus yeast, and the recovered beer is recycled back to the brewing process, thereby saving financially as well as water loss.

Abstract: A downhole sealing assembly comprises a sleeve adapted to be mounted on a tubular body disposable within a bore, the sleeve (12) including a swellable material and defining a sealing arrangement comprising inner and outer seals. Swelling of the material radially extends the inner seal into contact with the tubular body and extends the outer seal into contact with the bore.

Abstract: A downhole sealing assembly comprises a sleeve adapted to be mounted on a tubular body disposable within a bore, the sleeve (12) including a swellable material and defining a sealing arrangement comprising inner and outer seals. Swelling of the material radially extends the inner seal into contact with the tubular body and extends the outer seal into contact with the bore. seals.

Abstract: A downhole sealing assembly (10) comprises a sleeve (12) adapted to be mounted on a body, the sleeve (12) including a swellable material and defining a sealing arrangement comprising inner and outer seals (18, 20). Swelling of the material radially extends the seals (18, 20).

Abstract: An expandable downhole seal includes a sealing portion and a deflecting portion adapted to move axially relative to each other to effect radial displacement of the sealing portion, wherein at least one of the sealing portion and the deflecting portion includes a swelling material. In use, radial expansion of the downhole seal may be achieved by the radial displacement of the sealing portion in combination with swelling of the swellable material. A support member is provided to support the sealing portion and deflecting portion.

Abstract: A downhole seal (10) comprises an inflatable structure (14) which receives a volume of swellable particles (18) at a downhole location. The seal (10) is adapted to permit the swellable particles (18) to become exposed to an activator to initiate selling of said particles (18) to inflate the inflatable structure (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a material into a wellbore comprises a body adapted to be translated along a conduit within a wellbore, with a cavity formed in the body for containing a material to be delivered. The body defines an outlet adapted to be selectively opened to permit the material to be released from the cavity at the required location within the wellbore. In one arrangement the material includes swellable particles which expand upon contact with an activator.

Abstract: An expandable downhole seal includes a sealing portion and a deflecting portion adapted to move axially relative to each other to effect radial displacement of the sealing portion, wherein at least one of the sealing portion and the deflecting portion includes a swelling material. In use, radial expansion of the downhole seal may be achieved by the radial displacement of the sealing portion in combination with swelling of the swellable material. A support member is provided to support the sealing portion and deflecting portion.

Abstract: A downhole sealing assembly (10) comprises a sleeve (12) adapted to be mounted on a body, the sleeve (12) including a swellable material and defining a sealing arrangement comprising inner and outer seals (18, 20). Swelling of the material radially extends the seals (18, 20).

Abstract: A downhole sealing assembly (10) includes a sleeve (12) comprising a swellable medium (22). The sleeve (12) is mounted on a base pipe (14) and defines a flow path (18) between the sleeve (12) and the base pipe (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a material into a wellbore comprises a body adapted to be translated along a conduit within a wellbore, with a cavity formed in the body for containing a material to be delivered. The body defines an outlet adapted to be selectively opened to permit the material to be released from the cavity at the required location within the wellbore. In one arrangement the material includes swellable particles which expand upon contact with an activator.

Abstract: A wellbore device is provided which includes a fluid passage for transferring fluid between an earth formation and a surface facility, and a body transferable from a first mode to a second mode upon contact of the body with a selected fluid. The body is arranged so as to substantially close the fluid passage upon transfer of the body from the first mode to the second mode due to contact of the body with the selected fluid.