The disclosure relates to a hydrophobic mirror. The hydrophobic mirror includes a support; a mirror body set in the support; and a hydrophobic film located on a surface of the mirror body. The hydrophobic film comprises a flexible substrate and a hydrophobic layer. The flexible substrate comprises a flexible base and a patterned first bulge layer located on a surface of the flexible base. The hydrophobic layer located on the surface of the patterned first bulge layer.

Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Systems and methods are provided for maintaining the performance and operational stability of an RF (radio frequency) antenna that is positioned in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for heating the formation using electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range. Contaminants such as water or brine, metallic particulates and ionic or organic materials frequently occur in a wellbore being prepared for RF heating, or in an RF antenna installed in the wellbore. Prior to applying RF electrical energy to the formation, the antenna is decontaminated by circulating a preconditioning fluid through the antenna and recovering a spent fluid for treating and recycle. Decontamination is continued while the spent fluid from the antenna includes, but not limited to, water, metallic particles, ionic species, organic compounds contaminants, etc. An operational power level of radio frequency electrical energy is then applied to the decontaminated antenna for providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors. The radiofrequency electromagnetic current radiates to a hydrocarbon formation surrounding the transmission line conductors.

A process and system for in-situ electrical heating of a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a tool capable of being lowered down a well casing. The tool has a plurality of metal arms capable of extending radially within a secondary well casing. Each of the metal arms includes an injection electrode, a bucking electrode, and first and second monitoring electrodes. An insulating member is mounted to each metal arm. The insulating member is arranged and designed to make contact with the casing and prevent the metal arm from directly contacting the casing. A switch is provided that is capable of being electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes of one metal arm at a time. A logging cable having a plurality of wires connected at one end to the switch and a second end to instrumentation at the ground surface. The process for recovering hydrocarbons includes lowering the tool down a well casing to or near the hydrocarbon bearing formation and creating an equi-potential surface over at least the length of the tool and emanating outwardly of the well casing. A heat beam is developed by focusing the current of the injection and bucking electrodes to heat a region containing hydrocarbons, and then recovering hydrocarbons from the production well.

The invention provides a heater station (2) for heating fluids flowing in an undersea pipe network, the station comprising at least one heater duct (6) made of conductive material designed to be connected to an undersea pipe (4) for transporting fluids, and at least one solenoid (8) wound around a portion of the heater duct and electrically powered to heat the heater duct portion by electromagnetic induction.

A process and system for in-situ electrical heating of a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a tool capable of being lowered down a well casing. The tool has a plurality of metal arms capable of extending radially within a secondary well casing. Each of the metal arms includes an injection electrode, a bucking electrode, and first and second monitoring electrodes. An insulating member is mounted to each metal arm. The insulating member is arranged and designed to make contact with the casing and prevent the metal arm from directly contacting the casing. A switch is provided that is capable of being electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes of one metal arm at a time. A logging cable having a plurality of wires connected at one end to the switch and a second end to instrumentation at the ground surface. The process for recovering hydrocarbons includes lowering the tool down a well casing to or near the hydrocarbon bearing formation and creating an equi-potential surface over at least the length of the tool and emanating outwardly of the well casing. A heat beam is developed by focusing the current of the injection and bucking electrodes to heat a region containing hydrocarbons, and then recovering hydrocarbons from the production well.

A structural improvement for microwave-assisted high temperature high-pressure chemistry vessel systems is disclosed that among other advantages offers dynamic venting and resealing while a reaction proceeds and eliminates the risk of cross contamination associated with systems that use a common pressurized chamber. The improvement includes a relatively thin-walled disposable liner cylinder that includes one closed end and one open end defining a mouth, and a liner cap positioned in the mouth of the rigid liner cylinder for closing the rigid liner cylinder. The liner cap includes a depending column that engages the inside diameter of the rigid liner cylinder, and a disk at one end of the depending column having a diameter sufficient to rest upon the rigid liner cylinder without falling into the rigid cylinder liner so that the cylindrical liner cap can rest in the rigid liner cylinder at the mouth of the rigid liner cylinder. The depending column, includes a passage to provide a gas venting space, and a dynamic venting action, between the liner cap and the rigid liner cylinder.

A method is for heating a petroleum ore and may include providing a mixture of about 10% to about 99% by volume of the petroleum ore and about 1% to about 50% by volume of a composition. The composition may have isoimpedance magnetodielectric material susceptor particles. The isoimpedance magnetodielectric material susceptor particles may have an electrical conductivity greater than 1107 S/m at 20 C. The method may include applying RF energy to the mixture at a power and frequency sufficient to heat the isoimpedance magnetodielectric material susceptor particles, and continuing to apply the RF energy for a sufficient time to allow the isoimpedance magnetodielectric material susceptor particles to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212 F. (100 C.)

A cable, in particular an induction cable, extends in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and is provided for laying in a pipe. A laying aid is mounted on the cable. The laying aid is formed so that the cable can be rotated about the longitudinal axis during laying. The cable is laid by a method for laying the cable which extends in a longitudinal direction, in which the laying aid is provided and the cable is laid in the longitudinal direction. The cable is rotated about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction during laying.