Abstract: A pedal-powered aquatic vehicle is a positively buoyant aquatic vehicle with a lightweight frame and driven flotation wheels on either side of the occupant(s) seat. A pedal drive is incorporated into the lightweight frame to produce propulsion through a chain driven multi-geared system coupled with a drive shaft. Outer drive wheels rotate the flotation driven wheels to propel across water and level ground. Paddles are affixed to the driven flotation wheels. Steering linkages disengage drive wheels independently to provide steering.

Abstract: A wellbore mill has been invented that, in certain aspects, has a body having a top and a bottom and, optionally, a fluid flow channel extending therethrough from top to bottom with, optionally, one or more fluid jetting ports in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, milling apparatus on the body including a plurality of milling inserts, each insert mechanically secured in a corresponding recess in the body, said mechanical securement sufficient for effective milling in a wellbore. A wellbore milling method for milling an opening in a selected tubular of a tubular string in a wellbore has been invented that includes installing and using such a mill.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the deposition and retention of particulate filler on papermaking fibers. In a first vessel, there is formed a slurry of papermaking fibers and in a second vessel there is formed a slurry of lime or its equivalent. The fiber slurry is at a consistency of not greater than about 5%. These separately formed slurries are thereafter combined with a gaseous precipitant in a flow reactor and under conditions whereby the gaseous precipitant is subjected to rapid shear and calcium carbonate is deposited in situ on the fibers. Unexpectedly, the reaction time for the formation and deposition of the calcium carbonate filler is very rapid. Control over the pH of the reactants in the reactor is achieved through the sequence of introduction of the reactants to the reactor. Also, through selection of the molar ratio of the gaseous precipitant and lime, the morphology of the calcium carbonate crystals may be controlled.

Abstract: A high level of calcium carbonate filler is added to secondary fiber pulp by in situ attachment to the secondary fibers. The secondary fiber pulp is mixed with an alkaline salt such as calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide and contacted with a reaction gas such as carbon dioxide in a gas-liquid contactor apparatus through efficient mixing in order to precipitate filler material such as calcium carbonate crystal complexes on the secondary fibers. The resulting pulp products have comparable or, in some cases, better brightness, cleanliness, and other sheet properties as compared to filler addition by conventional methods.