Exemplary embodiments seek to eliminate or reduce fouling enabled by atmospheric oxygen entering the airspace of the well column. An inerting gas is used to flush atmospheric oxygen out of the well airspace. Once atmospheric air in the well gas-column has been replaced with an inerting gas, the well is sealed and pressurized with the inerting gas. The introduction of atmospheric oxygen back into the system through leaks is overcome by keeping a small, positive pressure-differential between the well-column gas pressure and the atmosphere. Results, as described herein, have shown the removal of atmospheric oxygen from the system can greatly reduce, or eliminate, both chemical and biological fouling as well as reduce or eliminate the need for well cleaning treatments.

Exemplary embodiments seek to eliminate or reduce fouling enabled by atmospheric oxygen entering the airspace of the well column. An inerting gas is used to flush atmospheric oxygen out of the well airspace. Once atmospheric air in the well gas-column has been replaced with an inerting gas, the well is sealed and pressurized with the inerting gas. The introduction of atmospheric oxygen back into the system through leaks is overcome by keeping a small, positive pressure-differential between the well-column gas pressure and the atmosphere. Results, as described herein, have shown the removal of atmospheric oxygen from the system can greatly reduce, or eliminate, both chemical and biological fouling as well as reduce or eliminate the need for well cleaning treatments.

A method for monitoring hydrate formation in an interior of a tube may include deploying a first hydrate controller device at a first location on an exterior surface of the tube. The method may include deploying a second hydrate controller device at a second location on the exterior surface of the tube. The method may include transmitting, by the first hydrate controller device, first acoustic signals towards the interior of the tube. The first acoustic signals may include a first frequency value and a first amplitude value associated to a transmission power level. The method may include receiving, by the second hydrate controller device, the first acoustic signals. The method may include measuring, by the second hydrate controller device, a reception power level of the first acoustic signals.

A method for monitoring hydrate formation in an interior of a tube may include deploying a first hydrate controller device at a first location on an exterior surface of the tube. The method may include deploying a second hydrate controller device at a second location on the exterior surface of the tube. The method may include transmitting, by the first hydrate controller device, first acoustic signals towards the interior of the tube. The first acoustic signals may include a first frequency value and a first amplitude value associated to a transmission power level. The method may include receiving, by the second hydrate controller device, the first acoustic signals. The method may include measuring, by the second hydrate controller device, a reception power level of the first acoustic signals.

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

This invention relates to a method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces contaminated with microorganisms and toxic substances to render both inactive. Furthermore, this invention relates to both a method and apparatus for disinfecting and/or sterilizing breathable air and then using this air to protect a confined space from external contamination. The apparatus consists of a new ultra-violet (NUV) source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm light for destroying DNA of virus, bacteria, spores and cists. It is most effective in breaking chemical bonds in toxic gases and Biotoxins that are useful to terrorists. It is combined with other apparatus that remove particulates and byproducts sometimes produced by the NUV source and maintains positive pressure of the confined space so as to prevent the influx of air from outside the protected zone.

Disclosed herein is a pipe assembly comprising: a pipe with an electrically conductive wall with a thermally conductive outer coating; a first electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; and a second electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; wherein the first and second electrical connectors are arranged to support the flow of an electrical current through the wall of the pipe to thereby heat the wall of the pipe; and in use, the pipe is arranged to allow cooling of the outer surface of the wall of the pipe by the surrounding environment of the pipe when the outer surface of the wall of the pipe is hotter than its surrounding environment. Advantageously, embodiments provide an effective, efficient and less expensive technique for heating the pipe in order to remove deposits for the inner walls of the pipes. Applications include the subsea application of cooling oil well products for cold flow.

Disclosed herein is a pipe assembly comprising: a pipe with an electrically conductive wall with a thermally conductive outer coating; a first electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; and a second electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; wherein the first and second electrical connectors are arranged to support the flow of an electrical current through the wall of the pipe to thereby heat the wall of the pipe; and in use, the pipe is arranged to allow cooling of the outer surface of the wall of the pipe by the surrounding environment of the pipe when the outer surface of the wall of the pipe is hotter than its surrounding environment. Advantageously, embodiments provide an effective, efficient and less expensive technique for heating the pipe in order to remove deposits for the inner walls of the pipes. Applications include the subsea application of cooling oil well products for cold flow.

Environmentally-friendly dust suppressant polymer compositions, the preparation thereof, and the use thereof for methods for dust suppression is disclosed herein.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the binding of dust, comprising a binder reservoir, which provides liquid binder which is under pressure, a binder line which is connected to the binder reservoir, wherein there is connected to the binder line at least one spray nozzle which may be located in the vicinity of a dust source. The apparatus is in particular so designed that large areas, which may extend over distances of several 100 m, may be supplied with binder, which may also be discharged, with these dimensions, in pulses at short intervals (1 second up to a few minutes).