Abstract: Amorphous polyamide compositions are provided which are transparent and have improved glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures. The polyamide compositions of the present invention can be prepared as the polymeric condensation product of a diamine component comprising neopentyldiamine, and a diacid component comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for separating solids from a mixture of solids and gases. An in-line cyclone separator cyclonically swirls the mixture as it exits a conduit concentrically located within a radially symmetric separation chamber. In some embodiments, stripping gas apertures direct stripping gas into the chamber to help maintain the angular momentum of the solids cyclonically swirling within the chamber.

Abstract: A process for preparing purified dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate by the esterification of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is disclosed and which process provides for the efficient removal of the mono methyl ester of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid produced during the esterification reaction.

Abstract: Matrix resin formulations comprising cyanate esters of phenol adducts of dicyclopentadiene, epoxy resins and particular thermoplastics, provide fiber reinforced composites with excellent toughness and hot/wet properties.

Abstract: Rotational orientation of a drillstring is monitored a plurality of times during each rotation of a drillstring for monitoring the rotational orientation of a curve drilling assembly on a drillstring. A defined rotational orientation of a downhole location on the drillstring with respect to the curve drilling assembly is established. At least one reference signal generator having a known relationship to the down hole location on the drillstring and that rotates with the drillstring is provided at the surface. A reference signal is generated each time a reference signal generator rotates past a detector. A pressure signal is generated each time the drillstring rotates through the defined rotational orientation with respect to the drill bit steering device. Occurrences of the plurality of surface reference signals and the pressure signal are timed and compared for monitoring the rotational orientation of the drill bit steering device.

Abstract: A process for improving the performance of heavy oil refining units in a resid hydrotreating unit equipped for resid hydrotreating. The partially refined resid stream issuing from a train of ebullated bed reactor is first separated into high, medium, and low temperature components. The high temperature component is sent through a flash drum and then fractionated by solvent deasphalting in order to provide oil, resin, and asphaltene fractions. Thus, the asphaltene is eliminated before it can foul downstream equipment. This treatment of the heavy oil product has several benefits as compared to treating the vacuum tower bottoms. Among other things, one of these benefits is to debottleneck the resid hydrotreating unit, especially at the atmospheric tower.

Abstract: A method for purifying a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid comprising contacting an impure naphthalenedicarboxylic acid with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and a solvent comprising a low molecular weight carboxylic acid, at a temperature of at least about 500.degree. F., and a pressure sufficient to maintain the solvent at least partially in the liquid phase and thereafter recovering purified naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: An olefins process is described which combines cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock with the coupling of methane using an oxygen-affording gas such that the heat evolved in the exothermic methane coupling reaction is effectively transferred to the endothermic cracking process in a manner which does not allow the non-hydrocarbon products in the effluent of the methane coupling reaction to mix with the effluent of the cracking process. By combining the cryogenic requirements of the two processes, the refrigeration used in air liquifaction to separate oxygen for the methane coupling process can provide refrigerant nitrogen to liquify one or more of methane, ethylene and propylene which can be used in the cryogenic separation of the C.sub.2 + hydrocarbon products in the cracking process effluent.

Abstract: A process for preparing purified dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate by the esterification of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is disclosed, and which process provides for the efficient removal of residual oxidation catalyst metals from the dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate and efficient removal of particulate contaminants.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process employing a first stage liquefaction step catalyzed by a soluble molybdenum-containing organophosphorodithioate catalyst is disclosed. In some embodiments, two consecutive liquefaction steps employ a molybdenum-containing organophosphorodithioate catalyst operating at a relatively high liquefaction temperature. In other embodiments, a second liquefaction process step operating at a relatively low temperature employs a hydrocracking catalyst to upgrade materials obtained from the first soluble catalyst liquefaction step. In some embodiments, an interstage gas separator removes gases such as carbon dioxide produced in the first liquefaction step from a partially liquefied mixture prior to further liquefying the mixture in the second liquefaction step.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant method and system for processing global transactions in a distributed database system. If a fault occurs in the distributed database system, a transaction management system will suspend the processing of a transaction and renew it when the fault is remedied. The transaction management system identifies one or more sites in the distributed database system that contain data needed for a global transaction and divides each transaction into subtransactions for processing at one or more identified sites. If a fault occurs in the distributed database system, the transaction management system maintains the status of each subtransaction. When a fault in the distributed database system is corrected, the transaction management system updates the status of each subtransaction and restarts processing of the transactions.

Abstract: A direct and simplified process is described for making anionic clays having the hydrotalcite structure which contain as the intercalating anion a pH-dependent, essentially carbonate-free, inorganic anion. Hydrotalcite-type clays made by the process from a number of divalent and trivalent metal ions and pH-dependent, boron-containing anions and transition element metalates are useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process is provided for the hydrogenation of benzene and the isomerization of a light naphtha feedstock consisting essentially of a stream having a boiling range of from about 50.degree. F. to about 240.degree. F. comprising the steps of contacting the light naphtha feedstock at isomerization conditions in an isomerization reaction zone with an isomerization catalyst in the presence of hydrogen and producing an isomerization reaction zone effluent, combining the isomerization reaction zone effluent with a supplemental benzene-containing stream comprising at least 1 weight percent benzene and forming a hydrogenation zone feedstock, and hydrotreating the hydrogenation zone feedstock at hydrogenation conditions in a hydrogenation reaction zone with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen for producing an isomerate product comprising less than 0.1 weight percent benzene.

Abstract: Prepreg comprising structural fiber and matrix resin formulated from epoxys selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ethers of polycyclic bridged hydroxy-substituted polyaromatic compounds and N,N,N',N'-tetraglycidyl-bis(4-amino-3-ethylphenyl) methane with from about 6 to about 150 pbw, per hundred parts by weight of the epoxy resin components, of a solid aromatic diamine hardener insoluble in said composition in an amount effective to cure said epoxy resin exhibiting improved storage stability characteristics at room temperature.

Abstract: A contact material composition of an intimately mixed halogencontaining mixed oxide of at least one cationic species of a naturally occurring Group IIIB element, at least one cationic species of a Group IIA metal of magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium and at least one cationic species of germanium and gallium, as well as methods for hydrocarbon conversion using such contact material compositions are provided.

Abstract: A uniform basis weight self-bonded, fibrous nonwoven web having improved antistatic, softness and retention of water resistance in the presence of antistatic agents and composites comprising the nonwoven web useful for applications in the hygiene, healthcare, agriculture and other markets.

Abstract: A rock specimen is selected from many rock specimens based on composition of released fluid inclusion volatiles being indicative of a selected class of fluid inclusions therein. Compositions of selected classes of inclusions or of selected individual fluid inclusions in the selected rock specimen are further characterized and the resulting information used in exploring for oil and gas.

Abstract: A refining process uses a two or four stage solvent separator coupled to receive an incoming feedstream of low sulfur resid and a solvent. In the preferred two stage separator, the mixture at the top of the first separator stage is fed to the second stage separator via a heat exchanger. The mixture at the bottom of the first stage separator includes resins and asphaltenes which are fed to a hydrotreater and then, in turn, to a fractionator. The output from the bottom of this fractionator can be fed back to the resid feedstream of the first stage separator for recycled separation. The material at the top of the second stage separator is fed back through the heat exchanger where it helps heat the mixture fed from the top of the first to the second stage separator, this feedback recovers the solvent for reuse in the first stage. The material settling to the bottom of the second stage separator is fed into a catalytic cracker or processed elsewhere.

Abstract: A whirl resistant drill bit is disclosed for use in rotary drilling. The drill bit includes a generally cylindrical bit body with a plurality of cutting elements extending out from a lower end surface. The cutter elements are grouped in sets such that a first set of cutters are disposed at substantially an equal radius from a center of the bit body to create a groove in the material being drilled. A second set of cutters is connected to the lower end surface with each cutter therein in overlapping radial relationship with each other and extending a maximum distance from the lower end surface less than that of the first set of cutters. At least one cutter of the second set is in overlapping radial relationship with at least one of the cutters within the first set of cutters. This cutter arrangement causes the drill bit to cut grooves within the formation material that tends to prevent destructive bit whirl. Further, adjustments can be made to vary the back rake angle and side rake angle to prevent bit whirl.

Abstract: Novel crystalline polyamides having high heat deflection temperatures when filled are prepared from aliphatic diamines and either mixtures of terephthalic acid and adipic acid or mixtures of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and adipic acid. The mole ratio of aliphatic diamine to terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and adipic acid is in the range of about 100:65-95:25-0:35-5. The polyamides can be filled with about 10 to about 60 parts by weight of a filler. The mechanical properties of these polyamides are largely unaffected by absorbed water.