Abstract: Pulsed power sources are installed in one or more wells in the reservoir interval. The pulse sources include (1) an electrohydraulic generator that produces an intense and short lived electromagnetic pulse that travels at the speed of light through the reservoir, and an acoustic pulse from the plasma vaporization of water placed around the source that propagates through the reservoir at the speed of sound in the reservoir and (2) an electromagnetic generator that produces only an intense and short lived electromagnetic pulse that travels at the speed of light through the reservoir. The electromagnetic pulse produces a high frequency vibration of the reservoir that is active at the scale of the pores in the rock that acts to decrease the effective viscosity of the oil and lower the resistance of the crude oil to flow, and the acoustic pulse from the plasma effect enhances the mobility of the crude further.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsed plasma in a liquid medium wherein a pulse forming network is provided to supply a high energy pulse to spaced electrodes for creating a spark channel and initiating the plasma. The pulse forming network is impedance matched to the average impedance of the plasma channel established between the electrodes. The network generates a 5 to 20 microsecond pulse in the gigawatt power range to effect energy transfer to the plasma before significant expansion can occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying confined liquids and slurries by means of a spark discharge wherein the inner surface of the treatment vessel is designed to include a reflector section adjacent to a pair of electrodes and a concentrating section for intensifying the shock wave generated by the discharge between the electrodes. An external power source is coupled through a pulse forming network to the electrodes. The network is impedance matched to the impedance of the plasma arc generated between the electrodes to provide a high power pulse to the electrodes. The establishment of the plasma produces an extremely high pressure shock wave, u.v. radiation fringing on X-ray and electrohydraulic pressurization to alter the characteristics of the liquid therein.

Abstract: Electrohydraulic fracturing of rock and other dense materials is accomplished by coupling a hydraulic medium to the material to be fractured and inducing an explosive electrical discharge in the coupling medium in close proximity to the dense material thus developing an electrohydraulic shock wave in the coupling medium. This shock wave is transmitted into the rock or other dense material as an advancing compressive strain pulse which radiates from the explosive electrical discharge through the dense material until it is reflected by a free surface as a tensile strain pulse. The tensile strain pulse is impedance matched with the dense material to be fractured such that the tensile strain pulse induces in situ fracturing of the dense material. A motor driven generator system which provides alternating current to a control unit which incorporates a transformer and diode controlled bridge rectifier system providing stepped up DC voltage.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for killing microorganisms in a substance, characterized by the step of conjointly generating a magnetic field and an electrohydraulic discharge and subjecting every differential volume of the substance to the combined physical magnetic field and the electrohydraulic discharge of lethal intensity at least once. The physical magnetic field is at least of a sufficient intensity to contain and direct the electrohydraulic discharge and preferably, is itself of lethal intensity. The pulsed magnetic field and the electrohydraulic discharge are repeated at a frequency proportional to the rate of flow of the substance through a volumetric region into which the magnetic field is passed and within which the electrohydraulic discharge electrodes are located. Also discussed are preferred embodiments, in which the substance is a liquid-like substance, such as sewage, chemical waste, liquid mining material, etc.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for electrohydraulic recovery of crude oil wherein an explosive, ablative electric spark is generated at or near a subsurface oil bearing formation and which generates shock waves and hydraulic waves that radiate or propogate outwardly into the formation and cause forcible migration of oil toward adjacent collection wells. Electrical energy, which is well within the load-carrying capacity of an electrical service cable extending into the well, is stored at or near the level of the oil bearing formation by a capacitor bank. A spark gap across electrodes is broken down by discharging current from an injector capacitor bank after which a current of substantial magnitude is discharged from a main capacitor bank into the broken down spark gap, thus generating the explosive spark.