Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose. A temperature monitor can be deployed on the fluid emerging or downstream from the cavitation or other device to assist in correlating temperatures to viscosities of various fluids.

Abstract: Acid mine drainage and surface waters containing sulfate are processed by an electrocoagulator to make aluminum or other polyvalent metal sulfate, which acts as a coagulant for solids suspended in the waters. The process thus removes and puts to good use highly undesirable sulfate anions, obviating combinations with barium and other scale forming metals when the fluids are used in well drilling for other purposes associated with hydrocarbon recovery. Well fluids may be treated with the acid mine drainage including the sulfate coagulant made in it. Efficiency of the process may be enhanced by the addition of an oxidizing agent and/or by passing the fluid through a cavitation device or other mechanism to improve mixing, enabling the process to handle large quantities of acid mine drainage and fluids handled in hydrocarbon recovery, particularly from shale formations.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat and facilitation the separation of mixtures and emulsions of oil and water. Waste heat from the power source for the cavitation device may be utilized to elevate the temperature of incoming mixtures or emulsions. The heated mixture of emulsion is sent to a separation vessel where vapor may be removed and/or recovered, and where oil is removed as it separates into an identifiable layer. The separation vessel may be a flash tank.

Abstract: Circulating completion, workover and drilling fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system. Fluids deemed too viscous for the filter can be sent to a viscosity-reducing device, which may be a heating, shear-thinning, or cavitation device, to reduce its viscosity, enabling the fluid to pass through a filter without fouling. After filtering and a return to a lower temperature, the fluid may be treated if necessary to become viscous again for a useful purpose.

Abstract: Produced and flowback fluids, and other fluids emanating from oil, mining, and mineral extraction operations, are treated to remove heavy metals by introducing an oxidizing agent and passing the fluid through an electrocoagulator. A cavitation device is used to intensify the oxidation reactions. Coalesced bodies made in the electrocoagulator, including heavy metals such as iron rendered insoluble by elevation of their oxidation states, are separated from the fluids so they may be reused.

Abstract: Cesium solutions are treated in a cavitation device to increase their temperature and facilitate the removal of water from them. The context is normally an oil well fluid or a mining solution. The concentrated solutions can be reused, in the case of oil well fluids, or more easily handled for recovery of the elemental cesium or cesium in the form of a salt. Thermal energy is saved by using the concentrate or the water vapor to heat various streams within the system.

Abstract: Cesium solutions are treated in a cavitation device to increase their temperature and facilitate the removal of water from them. The context is normally an oil well fluid or a mining solution. The concentrated solutions can be reused, in the case of oil well fluids, or more easily handled for recovery of the elemental cesium or cesium in the form of a salt. Thermal energy is saved by using the concentrate or the water vapor to heat various streams within the system.

Abstract: Brine-containing oilfield fluid of uncertain composition, such as produced water and used oilfield completion and workover brines, are prepared for transportation and storage by reducing them to very high densities but still with little risk of crystallization at a prescribed temperature. The fluids are densified by boiling at a temperature determined to achieve the desired density, under steady state conditions of input and withdrawal of steam or vapor and the desired concentrate, still without knowing the contstituents. Boiling temperature is significantly reduced under subatmospheric pressures while the desired target density is achieved.

Abstract: Membrane tubes or similar membrane devices are arrayed in layers so that liquid placed on their outer surfaces may be evaporated and also drain onto lower membrane devices. The entire array is subjected to moving air to enhance evaporation. The membrane devices function as filters while permeating water from industrial fluids while also providing evaporative surfaces to reduce the volume of used aqueous industrial fluids. The retentate surfaces of the membrane devices may also be on the interiors of the devices, and the permeate contacted with flowing air to evaporate the permeate. Unevaporated permeate is collected in either configuration for use as clean water, and concentrated fluid may be more easily handled, disposed or, and/or its components recycled. A cavitation device may be used to heat the aqueous industrial fluid to enhance permeation and evaporation rates with minimal scaling.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat, concentrate and recycle or otherwise reuse dilute and other oil well fluids, brines and muds, and solution mining fluids, all of which commonly contain ingredients worthy of conservation. The cavitation device can be powered by a Diesel engine whose exhaust may be used to heat the incoming fluid, and the product of the cavitation device is directed to a flash tank.

Abstract: Circulating completion and workover fluids used in hydrocarbon recovery are filtered after monitoring for viscosity, which frequently causes plugging of filters. A viscometer generates a signal representative of viscosity in the fluid; the signal is used by a programmable controller to divert viscous fluid from the filter, or to take other action to prevent damage to the filter. The viscometer can be used in various positions in the system.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat, concentrate and recycle or otherwise reuse dilute and other oil well fluids, brines and muds, and solution mining fluids, all of which commonly contain ingredients worthy of conservation. The cavitation device is powered by a Diesel engine whose exhaust may be used to heat the incoming fluid, and the product of the cavitation device is directed to a flash tank.

Abstract: A chemical additive for cleaning a well drilling system and equipment includes an alcohol, preferably a terpene, and either an ether amine or a base fluid or combination of the two. The additive can be mixed with an aqueous solution that may be a water, salt or brine solution.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a well system and equipment has been developed using a chemical additive that includes an alkene alcohol, preferably a terpene, and either an ether amine or base fluid or combination of the two. The additive can be used in an aqueous or salt solution. The process includes circulating the chemical additive in the well system with spacer fluids.

Abstract: An improved chemical composition and process for cleaning pipe dope from wellbores has been established. The chemical composition is of an aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or esters with a biodegradable water insoluble monoterpene preferably having a flash point (PMCC) greater than 140.degree. F. the mixture then used neat, or in a dispersion of seawater, being used to remove pipe dope from tubing, casing and the like.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for tubular members has a pattern of scratching elements arranged on the outside of an elongate member such as a mandrel. The mandrel is coated with a rigid or resilient polymeric material or a combination of both. The scratching elements are affixed in the polymeric material in an arrangement to allow fluid flow around the mandrel.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning oil, gas, and water well wall casing is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a cylindrical member and a helical swath of scratching elements affixed to the side walls of the cylindrical member positioned for scouring the interior wall of the casing. Also included in the side walls of the cylindrical member is a helical channel adjacent to the swath of scratching elements. Typically, a workstring maneuvers the tool through the casing under mechanical force. Fluid is circulated through the channel of the tool to carry to the surface the loosened debris scoured from the interior wall of the casing. A method of cleaning a well casing is also disclosed. The method includes the use of a tool with scratching elements and flow channels, which tool can be used either with or without cleaning solvents.

Abstract: A dowel centering kit includes a mounting block, wherein the mounting block includes a plurality of axially parallel first bores of ascending diameter from a first end to a second end of the mounting block, wherein the first bores are arranged to receive various sizes of dowel rods therewithin, wherein a dowel rod is positioned within a first bore and a spike member positioned within a second bore of the first bore, wherein the first bore is directed coaxially of the second bore through a bottom wall of the mounting block, wherein the first bores are directed from a top wall of the mounting block and the spike member includes a projection whereupon impact along a dowel rod effects imparting of a coaxially aligned recess within the dowel rod for its centering relative to various turning and working procedures.