Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydrocarbon reservoir characterization and recovery including collecting geological data relating to a subteranean formation, forming initial parameters using the data, performing a pricipal component analysis of the parameters to create a model, and performing history matching using the model. In some embodiments, the principal component analysis is linear principal component analysis or kernal principal component analysis.

Abstract: Fillers used in polymer applications are surface modified with an amine prior to compounding with a polymeric resin thus improving the melt flow rate and fusion times of the polymeric resin composition when compounded.

Abstract: A selected kaolin crude or crude fraction is purified by physical or physical/chemical means, such as froth flotation and/or selective flocculation, to remove discrete particles of TiO.sub.2 and in some cases, discrete iron minerals. The pure (or purified clay) must then be agitated in the presence of water with a particulate grinding media such as, for example, sand, alumina or zirconia beads, to increase the 2 micron content of the kaolin. An intermediate ground product that contains a substantial weight percentage of particles finer than 1 micron is generated as a result of grinding. The particles finer than 1 micron in the ground kaolin also include those particles in the previously pure or purified kaolin that were present in the naturally occurring clay. A pulp of the ground clay is then fractionated to remove particles larger than 2 microns, e.g., to remove at least 95%, preferably at 100% by weight, of the particles larger than 2 microns, while minimizing the removal of particles finer than 1 micron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the inherent low shear viscosity of kaolin clays contaminated with expandable layer minerals. A water soluble tetraalkyl ammonium compound is contacted with the clay during conventional wet processing.