The invention relates to a microemulsion comprising water in an amount of 1-30 w %; sodium or potassium oleate, Na/K salts of tall oil fatty acid, and/or Na/K salts of C16-C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acids in an amount of 10-40 w %; oleic acid, tall oil fatty acid, or C16-C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acids in an amount of 2-40 w %; ethanol in an amount of 0-40 w %; glycerol in an amount of 5-40 w %; and liquid hydrocarbon(s) in an amount of 5-40 w %, up to a maximum or total of components parts of 100 w %. Moreover, methods of manufacture and uses of the microemulsion are disclosed.

Brine-tolerant lubricants are provided. The brine-tolerant lubricants may comprise an oil component, a surfactant component, and, optionally, an additive component. In one aspect, the oil component comprises a fatty acid alkyl ester. In one aspect, the surfactant component comprises at least one of an alkoxylated fatty acid and an alkoxylated fatty alcohol. Also provided are methods for increasing the lubricity of a drilling fluid by contacting the drilling fluid with the brine-tolerant lubricants.

An improved method of sealing a window into an aperture in a body uses a lubricant comprising polymer particles suspended in a volatile, low viscosity, low surface tension carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is applied to one or both of the sidewalls of the window and aperture, and the window is pressed into the aperture such that the carrier fluid evaporates, leaving the polymer particles to fill interstitial surface voids, while enabling the sidewall of the window to make intimate mechanical contact with the sidewall of the aperture. While having broader application, the present disclosure finds particular utility in optical characterization techniques based upon the Raman effect and fluorescence probes used in process monitoring and control.

A gelling nanofluid and methods for manufacture are provided. The composition and methods for manufacture produce nanofluid gels so that the settlement of nanoparticles in a base fluid is improved due to the inhibition of particle movement in the gel. The nanofluid gel is produced by using a gelling agent which is either coated on the nanoparticles prior to dispersion in the base fluid or directly introduced in the base fluid.

Provided herein are methods for producing α,β-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The α,β-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such α,β-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

The present invention relates to specific derivatives of dimer fatty acids, compositions comprising them and a method to reduce pour points.

A method for operating a refrigerant circulation system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator connected in this order with piping, wherein a refrigerant comprising trifluoroiodomethane is used as a refrigerant; a refrigerating machine oil comprising, as a base oil, a polyolester synthesized from a polyhydric alcohol and fatty acids, with a proportion of a fatty acid having 9 carbon atoms in the fatty acids being 65 mol % or less is used as a refrigerating machine oil; and a temperature of an entire area of the refrigerant circulation system is kept at 160° C. or lower.

A drag reducing composition comprises a sealed temporary container; and a drag reducing agent and up to 20 weight percent of a dispersing fluid disposed in the sealed temporary container. The drag reducing agent comprises polyolefin particles having a particle size of about 10 to about 2,000 microns; and the dispersing fluid comprising water, an alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

A drag reducing agent has a core comprising a polyolefin; and a temporary container encapsulating the core. The temporary container contains a container material, which includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, an ethylene vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, a vinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyethylene oxide, a polyethylene glycol, polyvinylidene chloride, a polysaccharide or its derivative, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A largest dimension of the drag reducing agent is greater than about 1,000 microns.

A universal additive for fuel and lubricants contains C2-C4 alcohols, carbamide, boric acid, acrylic compounds, and water. The additive allows for more complete combustion of liquid and solid fuels, as well as reduced fuel consumption and fewer harmful emissions. In lubricating oil compositions, the additive reduces wear on the friction surfaces of engines, and also reduces fuel consumption.