Acoustic and sonochemical methods for altering the viscosity of oil during recovery and pipeline transportation.

Reduction of oil viscosity is of great importance for the petroleum industry since it contributes a lot to the facilitation of pipeline transportation of oil. This study analyzes the capability of acoustic waves to decrease the viscosity of oil during its commercial production. Three types of equipment were tested: an ultrasonic emitter that is located directly in the well and affects oil during its production and two types of acoustic machines to be located at the wellhead and perform acoustic treatment after oil extraction: a setup for ultrasonic hydrodynamic treatment and a flow-through ultrasonic reactor.

Ultrasonically improved galvanochemical technology for the remediation of industrial wastewater.

Two general methodologies adopted for the decontamination of industrial wastewater containing oil and metal ions are flocculation and coagulation. Both methods require the addition of chemicals and in the case of electrocoagulation the additional use of electrical power. Another methodology that was developed in Russia some years ago involves the production of Fe2O3 particles as coagulants by a galvanochemical reaction between iron and coke.

Ultrasonic technology for enhanced oil recovery from failing oil wells and the equipment for its implemention.

A new method for the ultrasonic enhancement of oil recovery from failing wells is described. The technology involves lowering a source of power ultrasound to the bottom of the well either for a short treatment before removal or as a permanent placement for intermittent use. In wells where the permeability is above 20 mD and the porosity is greater than 15% ultrasonic treatment can increase oil production by up to 50% and in some cases even more.