Abstract: A process for making an individually packaged absorbent article. The process includes providing an absorbent article and a wrapper material, providing an opening area in the wrapper material, and applying an overlabel over the opening area. A tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends is formed, the tube having at least one permanent side seal, the permanent side seal being provided parallel to the longitudinal axis. The absorbent article is then loaded into the tube and the two ends are permanently sealed, such that an individually packaged absorbent article is provided.

Abstract: A method to remove coke from a coker drum is disclosed. The method includes the steps of impinging fluid from a fluid jet on the inside surface of the coker and then determining the vibration signal of the coker drum. The signal is then transformed to determine the amplitude versus frequency by a Fourier Transform of the vibration signal. The amplitude change of the vibration signal as it goes through a maximum, determines when the coke layer has been cut. The fluid jet is lowered into a new layer of coke.

Abstract: Systems and methods which determine geologic properties using acoustic analysis are shown. Acoustic signals are collected during processing (e.g., crushing, shearing, striking, compressing, etc.) of geologic media, such as rock samples, for determining geologic properties according to embodiments. The acoustic signals collected may include frequency information, amplitude information, time information, etc. which may be utilized in determining geologic properties, such as geologic media properties (e.g., mineralogy, porosity, permeability, sealing capacity, fracability, compressive strength, compressibility, Poisson's Ratio, Youngs Modulus, Bulk Modulus, Shear Modulus), geologic structure properties (e.g., lithology, seal quality, reservoir quality), geologic acoustic properties (e.g., acoustic logging effectiveness, acoustic response, natural or harmonic frequencies, etc.).

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.

Abstract: A device is coupled to a heat exchanger for mitigating fouling by applying a mechanical force to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface while the heat exchanger is in operation. An electromagnetic driven impulse device induces vibration onto heat exchanger tubes and/or an acoustic wave through the liquid service fluid to reduce fouling. The device can be mounted directly onto the outer part or piping and produces acoustical/vibrational modes onto the tube or near the surface of tubes.

Abstract: A use of a foulant collector in a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The foulant collectors are purposed to reduce build-up in the vessel or conduit and/or to reduce downstream foulant carry-over in the process. The surface of the foulant collectors may have an average water contact angle of less than 90 degrees. Additionally, together with such foulant collectors, a fluorocarbon polymer may be used as a surface of a vessel or conduit in the PFT process, for reducing fouling.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon exploration method is disclosed for developing a model of at least one effective material property of a subsurface reservoir as a function of the composition and structure of the reservoir rock. In one embodiment, the method comprises: obtaining a 3D image (102) of a rock sample characteristic of a reservoir of interest (101); segmenting the 3D image into compositional classes (103) based on similarities in mineralogy, structure and spatial distribution; selecting a model (105) that relates an effective material property of interest to the volume fractions of each compositional class; and determining the parameters of the model (106). The model may be used to assess the commercial potential of the subsurface reservoir (107).

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: A rotary method for forming a vaginal applicator. The method includes the steps of providing a forming mandrel, an applicator tube, and die then arranging the forming mandrel to be inside the applicator tube and then engaging the forming mandrel and the applicator tube with the die. The forming mandrel has a first sustaining ridge having a circumferential length and a second sustaining ridge having a circumferential length. The circumferential length of the first sustaining ridge is less than the circumferential length of the second sustaining ridge.

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: A rotary method for forming a vaginal applicator. The method includes the steps of providing a forming mandrel, an applicator tube, and die then arranging the forming mandrel to be inside the applicator tube and then engaging the forming mandrel and the applicator tube with the die. The forming mandrel has a first sustaining ridge having a circumferential length and a second sustaining ridge having a circumferential length. The circumferential length of the first sustaining ridge is less than the circumferential length of the second sustaining ridge.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-intrusive method to determine the fluid level in a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a delayed coker drum in a refinery. Waves are generated in the vessel from an outside source. For wall vibration generated in the frequency range of 1-20,000 Hz, accelerometers on the exterior wall of the vessel measures the attenuation of the vibration modes of the vessel. The fluid level can related to the attenuation of the vibration mode. For wall vibration generated in the ultrasonic range, the wave traveling in the vessel wall are guided waves. The guided wave will leak energy into the fluid inside the vessel and will attenuate depending on the fluid level. Ultrasonic receivers on the outside of the vessel measure the attenuation. The fluid level can be related attenuation of the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-intrusive method to determine the fluid level in a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a delayed coker drum in a refinery. Waves are generated in the vessel from an outside source. For wall vibration generated in the frequency range of 1-20,000 Hz, accelerometers on the exterior wall of the vessel measures the frequency of the vibration modes of the vessel. The fluid level can be related to the frequency of the vibration mode.

Abstract: Targeted application of anti-fouling mechanisms in a heat exchange system produces higher rates of energy recovery. The anti-fouling mechanisms with high mitigation rates can be deployed at only the hottest portions of a pre-heat train that experience the highest rates of fouling and heat loss. In application, bundles of corrosion resistant smoothed tubes are deployed in the late pre-heat train to significantly reduce the formation of harder deposits. Vibration can be used as an adjunct approach in conjunction with the corrosion resistant, smooth tubes, or deployed alone on existing bundles. The use of high performing, more durable exchangers in select locations justifies the increased cost of these components.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove coke from a coker drum. The invention includes the steps of impinging fluid from a fluid jet on the inside surface of the coker and then determining the vibration signal of the coker drum. The signal is then transformed to determine the amplitude versus frequency by a Fourier Transform of the vibration signal. The amplitude change of the vibration signal as it goes through a maximum, determines when the coke layer has been cut. The fluid jet is lowered into a new layer of coke.

Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of deposits on the inner walls of a tubular heat exchanger through which a petroleum-based liquid is flowing comprises applying one of fluid pressure pulsations to the liquid flowing through the tubes of the exchanger and vibration to the heat exchanger to effect a reduction of the viscous boundary layer adjacent the inner walls of the tubular heat exchange surfaces. Reduction of the viscous boundary layer at the tube walls not only reduces the incidence of fouling with its consequential beneficial effect on equipment life but it also has the desirable effect of promoting heat transfer from the tube wall to the liquid in the tubes. Fouling and corrosion are further reduced by the use of a coating on the inner wall surfaces of the exchanger tubes.

Abstract: A device is coupled to a heat exchanger for mitigating fouling by applying a mechanical force to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface while the heat exchanger is in operation. An electromagnetic driven impulse device induces vibration onto heat exchanger tubes and/or an acoustic wave through the liquid service fluid to reduce fouling. The device can be mounted directly onto the outer part or piping and produces acoustical/vibrational modes onto the tube or near the surface of tubes.

Abstract: Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.