Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells, placing electrically conductive material in the fracture, and applying an electric voltage across the fracture and through the material such that sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to heat and/or pyrolyze organic matter in the formation to form producible hydrocarbons.

Methods of treating a subterranean formation to convert organic matter into producible hydrocarbons

A method for in situ heating of a selected portion of a targeted organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method includes the steps of providing casing in a wellbore extending to a depth within or below the selected portion of the organic-rich rock formation, and also providing a tubing within the casing. An annular region is formed between the tubing and the surrounding casing. Air or other oxidant and a combustible fuel are injected into the wellbore. Either the air or the combustible fuel is in stoichiometric combustion excess. The method also includes providing hardware in the wellbore so as to cause the air and the combustible fuel to mix and to combust at substantially the depth of the organic-rich rock formation. The hardware may include more than one burner. Insulation may be placed along the tubing adjacent the first burner in order to reduce the heat transfer coefficient within the tubing and to provide a more uniform temperature within the annulus.

Downhole burner wells for in situ conversion of organic-rich rock formations

An economic method for in situ maturing and production of oil shale or other deep-lying, impermeable resources containing immobile hydrocarbons. Vertical fractures are created using horizontal or vertical wells. The same or other wells are used to inject pressurized fluids heated to less than approximately 370° C., and to return the cooled fluid for reheating and recycling. The heat transferred to the oil shale gradually matures the kerogen to oil and gas as the temperature in the shale is brought up, and also promotes permeability within the shale in the form of small fractures sufficient to allow the shale to flow into the well fractures where the product is collected commingled with the heating fluid and separated out before the heating fluid is recycled.

Hydrocarbon recovery from impermeable oil shales using sets of fluid-heated fractures

An economic method for in situ maturing and production of oil shale or other deep-lying, impermeable resources containing immobile hydrocarbons. Vertical fractures are created using horizontal or vertical wells. The same or other wells are used to inject pressurized fluids heated to less than approximately 370~ C, and to return the cooled fluid for reheating and recycling. The heat transferred to the oil shale gradually matures the kerogen to oil and gas as the temperature in the shale is brought up, and also promotes permeability within the shale in the form of small fractures sufficient to allow the shale to flow into the well fractures where the product is collected commingled with the heating fluid and separated out before the heating fluid is recycled.

Hydrocarbon recovery from impermeable oil shales

A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.

Multivariable control for an engine

An electronically-controlled air injection system implemented in three different embodiments with respect to each cylinder. A first embodiment includes a T-adapter, an air solenoid, a fuel injector, and a control unit. The T-adapter receives pressurized fuel and pressurized air from an air solenoid, and outputs these to the fuel injector. The air solenoid controls the flow of air to the fuel injector via the control unit. The second embodiment includes a modified fuel injector, an air solenoid, and a control unit. The fuel injector is modified by forming therein an air passage and a communicating sac, wherein the sac communicates with the fuel valve. Compressed air is supplied through an air solenoid to the air passage. The third embodiment includes a modified cylinder head, an air solenoid, and a control unit. Compressed air is supplied through an air solenoid to at least one combustion chamber cylinder port in the cylinder head.

Electronically-controlled late cycle air injection to achieve simultaneous reduction of NOx and particulates emissions from a diesel engine

A turbocharger impeller has a lock ring that is flexed in assembly to clampingly center and lock an impeller wheel on its drive shaft. The lock ring is also applicable to other driving or driven shaft and wheel combinations. The lock ring is made part of a two-piece spacer for the illustrated rotor applications but is not limited to that arrangement. Alternative impeller wheel structures including drive means and locking nose cone features are included.

Wheel lock, centering and drive means and turbocharger impeller combination

The present invention is directed to a split bearing assembly and the method of manufacturing the same which substantially reduces material yielding and deformation during fracture. The bearing assembly includes a saddle-like main body with first and second legs and a removable saddle-like bearing cap with first and second legs. The ends of the cap are secured in end-to-end engagement with mating ends of the first and second legs of the body to define a journal receiving opening. The mating ends are defined by a portion of rough uneven mating surfaces formed by fracturing the cap from the body and a slot or saw-cut portion which operates to reduce the cross-sectional area of the first portion. The reduction in cross section of the mating ends, through the use of the saw-cut, operates to minimize the magnitude of the force which is required to initiate the fracture of the bearing cap from the body of the bearing assembly thereby limiting the deformation of the material in the fracture area. In addition, the reduced cross-sectional portion is crushable, upon assembly of the cap to the body, to adjust for deformation in the journal receiving opening.

Fracture process with bore distortion controls

An accurate method of determining the power developed by selected cylinders of a multiple cylinder engine is based on the concept of controlling engine rpm for test purposes by adjusting the load on the engine instead of controlling speed by adjusting the fuel rate as is commonly done in normal engine operation. The method may be utilized for evaluating cylinder performance and for accurately balancing the output of the individual cylinders. It is particularly useful in railroad applications where the engine operates a generator that produces electric power and the system is provided with dynamic braking grids, which can be utilized as resistor grids for load testing the engine. However, the method is also applicable to other engines and other engine arrangements where engine power may be absorbed by a generator or dynamometer for controlling the load for test purposes.

Engine cylinder power measuring and balance method

A system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes an engine having a charge inlet connected to the compressor outlet and an exhaust outlet connected to the turbine inlet for driving the turbocharger with hot exhaust gas and supplying compressed air to the engine for combustion. A bypass duct connects the compressor outlet to the turbine inlet for diverting a portion of the compressed air around the engine to the turbine inlet or exhaust. A control device selectively controls the diversion of air. An operating method for the system involves controlling peak cylinder firing pressure and/or maximum turbine inlet temperature, optionally with exhaust NOx and smoke in order to limit these variables to acceptable limits with a minimum of operational limitations.

Paul Gottemoller

Papers

Electronically-controlled late cycle air injection to achieve simultaneous reduction of NOx and particulates emissions from a diesel engine

Wheel lock, centering and drive means and turbocharger impeller combination

Fracture process with bore distortion controls

Engine cylinder power measuring and balance method

Method for engine condition control with turbocompressor controllable bypass