Abstract: A pathogen detection and display system is configured to discover and display the location of substances of interest, particularly pathogens that can spread infection. The detection and display system can be used in healthcare facilities on surfaces, medical equipment and devices, patients, and staff, for example.

Abstract: A method of conversion of a heavy hydrocarbon feed to a lighter hydrocarbon product. The method provides for adding to the heavy hydrocarbon feed a terpene, preferably d-limonene, an aromatic solvent, an aliphatic solvent, and a liquid catalyst including a free chloride ion source, a free nitrate ion source, and an anionic hydrophile, all dissolved in a polar solvent, and the contacting of the heavy hydrocarbon feed with sonic vibrations.

Abstract: Silicon carbide is used as a proppant during a hydraulic fracturing process. The proppant is particularly useful when steam-flooding or acidizing a formation. This proppant is crush resistant and impervious to HCl and HCl/HF acids. High formation and reservoir stimulation temperatures do not affect said proppant. Induced fractures are therefore more effectively propped.

Abstract: A process for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation or reservoir containing hydrocarbonaceous fluids where the reservoir is penetrated by at least one wellbore. The method includes the utilization of hydraulic fracturing and a fused refractory proppant in combination with control of the critical salinity rate and the critical flow velocity. The proppant increases thermal conductivity during a steam-flooding process while controlling fines or sand.

Abstract: A fused refractory crystal for propping an induced fracture in a formation to obtain increased heat transfer. The crystal is of a size sufficient to keep said fracture open while providing for increased heat to be transferred into the formation. Increased heat is transferred into the formation via the crystal due to the substantially increased thermal conductivity capacity of the crystal. These crystals are particularly beneficial when used as proppants while fracturing a formation when a subsequent thermal oil recovery method is used. The efficiency of a thermal oil recovery method is substantially increased due to the ability of said crystals to conduct heat.

Abstract: A process for hydraulic fracturing where a fracturing fluid contains a clay stabilizing agent. Said agent stabilizes clay particles or fines along the face of a resulting formation fracture. Thereafter a fused refractory proppant is injected into the fracture. The proppant increases thermal conductivity during a steam-flooding oil recovery method while controlling clay particles and sand.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing particulate matter from fluid wells where low pH conditions or high temperature exist. The process comprises forming a cylindrical shaped retainer having one closed and one open end. Said retainer has an inner and an outer wall which join with said closed end to provide a space between said walls. An open ended fused porous refractory tube is fitted within said space. Said retainer, with the refractory tube therein, is affixed to a delivery tube. This tube is directed into a formation where said refractory tube is used to control fines or sandflow entrained in fluids obtained from said formation. Being sandwiched between said walls, the refractory tube is protected from shock and is easily removed for cleaning. Said refractory tube is chemically resistant and endures high temperatures encountered during steam-flooding or steam injection.

Abstract: A composition for making an in situ disposable propellant canister for utilization in controlled pulse fracturing. Said canister is composed of a porous light fabric material in combination with a gel solution. The gel creates a formable mass after solidification. Said mass can be made of a gel thickness sufficient to support and contain a propellant. Upon ignition of said propellant, the gelled canister is destroyed thereby alleviating a clean up operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an in situ disposable propellant canister for utilization in controlled pulse fracturing. Said canister is composed of a porous light fabric material in combination with a gel solution. The gel creates a formable mass after solidification. Said mass can be made of a gel thickness sufficient to support and contain a propellant. Upon ignition of said propellant, the gelled canister is destroyed thereby alleviating a clean up operation.

Abstract: A production well is completed through a subterranean oil or gas reservoir. The well employs a well casing with perforation tunnels for fluid communication with the reservoir. A sand screen tubing is located in juxtaposition with the perforation tunnels with an annular section being formed between the casing and the sand screen tubing. A fracturing fluid and gravel packing sand is injected through the annular section and perforation tunnels into the reservoir. The injection is terminated when the fracture is complete and the perforation tunnels and annular section are filled with gravel packing sand. The oil or gas in the reservoir is then produced through the gravel packed well casing and the sand screen.

Abstract: A method for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation or reservoir containing hydrocarbonaceous fluids where said reservoir is penetrated by at least one wellbore. The method includes the utilization of hydraulic fracturing in combination with control of the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity.

Abstract: A method for extending fractures in underground formations obtained by controlled pulse fracturing through the use of a stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution. Controlled pulse fracturing causes radial fracturing near the wellbore. These radial fractures are further extended into the formation or reservoir when stabilized hydrogen peroxide is forced into the radial fractures. Stabilizing agents in the hydrogen peroxide react with metals mixed with a proppant in the formation causing the hydrogen peroxide to breakdown and form gas pressure sufficient to extend the radial fractures. Hydrocarbonaceous fluids are then obtained from the natural fractures in said formation via the extended fractures which contact natural fractures emanating from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbonaceous formation or reservoir having a certain critical salinity rate and critical fluid flow capacity thereby minimizing small particles or fines from plugging critical flow channels near the wellbore, is provided for, which comprises varying in combination the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow capacity.

Abstract: A subsurface oil or gas reservoir is hydraulically fractured by injecting a fracturing fluid through perforations in the casing of a well penetrating into such subsurface reservoir. The fracturing fluid contains a clay stabilizing agent for stabilizing clay particles or fines along the face of the resulting formation fracture. A proppant comprising a gravel packing sand is injected into the fracture. Oil or gas is then produced from the reservoir through the fracture into the well.

Abstract: A method for extending fractures in underground formations obtained by controlled pulse fracturing through the use of stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution. Controlled pulse fracturing causes radial fracturing near the wellbore. In order to extend these radial fractures further into the formation or reservoir, stabilized hydrogen peroxide is forced into the radial fractures. Stabilizing agents in the hydrogen peroxide react with metals in the formation causing the hydrogen peroxide to breakdown and form gas pressure sufficient to extend the radial fractures. Hydrocarbonaceous fluids are then obtained from the formation via the extended fractures which contact natural fractures in the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from oil bearing shale which comprises placing the shale in pulverized form into a retort and simultaneously processing under retorting conditions.

Abstract: Energy is conserved and air pollution reduced by crushing retorted shale after subjecting raw shale to retorting conditions.