Abstract: Methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting elemental mercury with a metal salt having a standard reduction potential sufficient to oxidize elemental mercury to an aqueous salt of mercury. In other aspects, methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting the metal surface with a solution comprising a metal salt having a standard reduction potential (E0) of greater than 0.85, thereby oxidizing a mercury contaminant to a soluble mercury salt.

Abstract: Methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting elemental mercury with a metal salt having a standard reduction potential sufficient to oxidize elemental mercury to an aqueous salt of mercury. In other aspects, methods of mercury decontamination are provided that include: contacting the metal surface with a solution comprising a metal salt having a standard reduction potential (E0) of greater than 0.85, thereby oxidizing a mercury contaminant to a soluble mercury salt.

Abstract: A sample collecting device including an outer casing and a valve assembly disposed at least partially within the outer casing and configured to obtain a sample of a sample material. A method of sampling sediment including entering a sample collecting device into a fluid storage container, contacting a surface of a sample material with the sample collecting device, obtaining a sample of the sample material, and removing the sample collecting device from the fluid storage container.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to a method of enhancing adsorption of a salt inhibitor onto a wellbore region, wherein the method comprises preconditioning the wellbore region, emplacing the salt inhibitor into the wellbore region, and shutting in the wellbore region for a period of time to at least initiate adsorption of the salt inhibitor onto the wellbore region. The salt inhibitor comprises an at least partially water soluble compound comprising a Group 3 to Group 15 metal and/or an at least partially water soluble compound having any one of the formulae: wherein X is O or S; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and when present, R5 and/or R6 each independently comprise an organic or an inorganic functional group.

Abstract: A sample collecting device including an outer casing and a valve assembly disposed at least partially within the outer casing and configured to obtain a sample of a sample material. A method of sampling sediment including entering a sample collecting device into a fluid storage container, contacting a surface of a sample material with the sample collecting device, obtaining a sample of the sample material, and removing the sample collecting device from the fluid storage container.

Abstract: A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a vessel by displacement. The method including the displacement of a hydrocarbon source with a material of different density and recovery of the hydrocarbons from the vessel. Additionally, a method for extracting hydrocarbons from a vessel by gas displacement through chemical introduction. The method including introduction of hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate into a vessel, production of carbon dioxide from the reaction of the hydrochloric acid and the sodium bicarbonate, displacement of a hydrocarbon source inside the vessel, and recovery of the hydrocarbon source from the vessel.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to a method of reducing the amount of crystallized salt in an aqueous stream comprises the steps of contacting the aqueous stream comprising one or more salts with an amount of a salt inhibitor sufficient to reduce the amount of crystallized salt in the aqueous stream under a set of conditions, and/or to reduce the amount of salt deposition from the aqueous stream that would otherwise occur from the aqueous stream under the essentially identical conditions, wherein the salt inhibitor comprises an at least partially water soluble compound comprising a Group 3 to Group 15 metal and/or an at least partially water soluble compound having any one of the formulae (I), (II), (III): wherein X is O or S; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and when present, R5 and/or R6 each independently comprise an organic or an inorganic functional group. A testing rig is also disclosed.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to a method of enhancing adsorption of a salt inhibitor onto a wellbore region, wherein the method comprises preconditioning the wellbore region, emplacing the salt inhibitor into the wellbore region, and shutting in the wellbore region for a period of time to at least initiate adsorption of the salt inhibitor onto the wellbore region. The salt inhibitor comprises an at least partially water soluble compound comprising a Group 3 to Group 15 metal and/or an at least partially water soluble compound having any one of the formulae: wherein X is O or S; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and when present, R5 and/or R6 each independently comprise an organic or an inorganic functional group.

Abstract: A method of removing metal scale from surfaces that includes contacting the surfaces with a first aqueous solution of a chelating agent, allowing the chelating agent to dissolve the metal scale, acidifying the solution to form a precipitant of the chelating agent and a precipitant of the metal from the metal scale, isolating the precipitant of the chelating agent and the precipitant of the metal from the first solution, selectively dissolving the precipitated chelating agent in a second aqueous solution, and removing the precipitated metal from the second solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing mineral scale from tubing is disclosed. The method may include the steps of making a first longitudinal cut along a length of the tubing, making a second longitudinal cut along a length of tubing, and removing a plurality of sections of tubing, wherein the sections of tubing are defined by the first and second longitudinal cuts.

Abstract: A method of removing metal scale from surfaces that includes contacting the surfaces with a first aqueous solution of a chelating agent, allowing the chelating agent to dissolve the metal scale, acidifying the solution to form a precipitant of the chelating agent and a precipitant of the metal from the metal scale, isolating the precipitant of the chelating agent and the precipitant of the metal from the first solution, selectively dissolving the precipitated chelating agent in a second aqueous solution, and removing the precipitated metal from the second solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a vessel by displacement. The method including the displacement of a hydrocarbon source with a material of different density and recovery of the hydrocarbons from the vessel. Additionally, a method for extracting hydrocarbons from a vessel by gas displacement through chemical introduction. The method including introduction of hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate into a vessel, production of carbon dioxide from the reaction of the hydrochloric acid and the sodium bicarbonate, displacement of a hydrocarbon source inside the vessel, and recovery of the hydrocarbon source from the vessel.

Abstract: A moon-phase dial mechanism comprising two overlapping, rotatable discs behind a substantially circular window capable of exhibiting a representation of the phases of the moon in a lunar cycle.

Abstract: A sundial for indicating the time of day using the position of the sun having a labyrinthine body with a plurality of pathways connecting a first and said second face, each pathway being adapted either to transmit said ray of light from an entry end at the first face to an exit end at the second face or to absorb said ray of light depending on the solar position so that the second face indicates visibly the time of day.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or preventing the deposition of metals onto metallic surfaces, particularly the metal surfaces in an oil or gas well is disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for removing metal or mineral deposits from surfaces (eg. surfaces of oil drilling equipment) by creating an electrochemical cell of which the contaminated surface is a part.