Abstract: This invention provides for a process for separating extractable organic material from a feed composition comprising said extractable organic material intermixed with solids and water, the process comprising:(A) contacting said feed composition with a solvent mixture in an enclosed space, said solvent mixture comprising at least one first organic solvent and at least one second organic solvent, said first organic solvent being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said extractable organic material per million parts of said first organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said first organic solvent boils at atmospheric pressure, said second organic solvent being different than and more volatile than said first organic solvent and being capable of dissolving at least about ten parts of said first organic solvent per million parts of said second organic solvent at the temperature wherein at least about 50% by weight of said second organic solvent boils at atmospheric p

Abstract: A drive system for impeller shafts includes a coupling that has a universal joint that is lubricated under all operating conditions. A housing is connected to the universal joint, which housing includes a hollow end portion adapted to receive the non-threaded end of an impeller shaft. A threaded stud projects from the end of the shaft and into the housing where the stud is secured by means of a nut. The nut is readily accessible to the user so that the axial position of the shaft can be adjusted without difficulty. The nut is releasably held within the housing so that the shaft and stud, with nut attached, can be quickly disconnected from the coupling. The invention also includes a modified "square drive" configuration for the ends of the shaft that is extremely strong and enables the shaft to be connected to the impeller and the coupling very easily.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate having a molar ratio of silica to alumina of at least 5:1, the aluminosilicate carrying gallium and silver, is useful in the conversion at elevated temperature of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 hydrocarbon feedstock into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for determining the height and length of a fracture (2) in a borehole (1) involves generating pressure waves at closely spaced frequencies by means of a transmitter (3) at the wellhead. The response at the wellhead of the wellbore-fracture system to the resultant standing waves is measured by means of a transducer (6). A theoretical model of the wellbore-fracture system is generated and compared with the measured response to determine the height and length of the fracture.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting the surface of an article for isolated contrast variations by illuminating the surface, forming an image of the surface from the reflected light, the image being composed of pixels that contain digitized information indicative of the relative intensity level of light reflected from a particular portion of the surface, comparing the intensity levels of at least some of the pixels to a predetermined intensity threshold to identify portions of the surface contrasting with other portions of that surface, and determining from the identified pixels the number of isolated contrast variations on the surface and the area of each of the variations. The number and size of the contrast variations appearing on the inspected article surface are compared to acceptability criteria to decide whether the article is acceptable for a particular use or in particular channels of commerce.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller disposed at the end of an elongate drive shaft. The drive shaft is disposed within an elongate, hollow post. The impeller and the end of the post are adapted to be immersed in molten metal. An inert gas is conveyed through the gap between the outer surface of the drive shaft and the inner surface of the post, which gas is discharged into the molten metal in the vicinity of the impeller. Because the drive shaft is insulated from the molten metal, it can be made of a durable material such as steel; because the post is stationary relative to the molten metal, the metal is stirred only by the impeller, and not by the drive shaft. The invention includes other features such as a quick disconnect capability and a radial adjustment capability.

Abstract: A slurry of oil-impregnated cuttings from the use of oil based drilling mud and other unwanted slurries and fluids may be injected into the annulus of a sub-sea well and then into a porous formation through which the well has passed using apparatus on a guide base surrounding the sub-sea well head. The guide base comprises a coupling for a pipe extending down from the drilling rig, a one-way isolation valve and pipework leading to the outermost housing of the well. The outermost housing has ports to carry the slurry into the outermost annulus and inner housings may also have ports to carry this slurry into inner annuli. Inter housings also have a one-way check valve to control the injection. The guide base may have a cement circulation pipework and a cement and dump valve. The guide base may also be a retrievable base so that the injection apparatus may be reused.

Abstract: A method of separating metals from carbon-supported catalyst materials comprises the steps of combusting the carbon at a temperature insufficient to cause volatisation of the metal followed by reduction with hydrogen of any oxidised metal and washing with acid or water.

Abstract: Multilayered barrier film products providing gas and moisture barrier properties. The film products comprise at least a first polymer film having low permeability to moisture and a heterogeneous polymer blend film containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer distributed in the gas barrier polymer, so as to allow the heterogeneous polymer blend film to adhere to the first polymer film. A method for the preparation of multilayered barrier film products includes the steps of forming a gas barrier polymer film from a heterogeneous polymer blend containing a gas barrier polymer and a second polymer and, bonding a moisture barrier polymer film to at least one side of the gas barrier polymer film. The method can be practiced utilizing conventional coextrusion equipment.

Abstract: An integrally woven multi-apertured multi-ply angle interlock fabric is woven so as to have a plurality of apertures which extend across the width of the fabric and are completely contained within the thickness of the fabric. The fabric is comprised of a first yarn system in which yarns extending across the width of the fabric in parallel, spaced-apart fashion form a laminate of spaced-apart, generally parallel yarn layers between the opposite top and bottom surfaces. The fabric is also comprised of a second yarn system having weaver yarns arranged into yarn layers which repeatedly extend through portions of the thickness of the fabric between the top and bottom surfaces and which interweave with a plurality of the yarn layers of the frist yarn system on one side of and one or more yarn layers of the first yarn system on the other side of the plurality of apertures being formed within the thickness of the fabric.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes a filter that prevents ingestion of foreign material such as dross from molten metal within which the pump is immersed. The filter is a large structure that is secured to the base of the pump surrounding the pump's inlet. The filter forms a cavity adjacent the pump's inlet. The filter has a low porosity while maintaining a high flow rate for the pump. The filter is a semi-toroidal structure that is attachable to a pump base having an upper inlet. The filter surrounds the pump's inlet. The filter includes a central opening through which access can be had to the pump's impeller for purposes of inspection, repair, or replacement without disturbing the attachment between the filter and base.

Abstract: A multifunctional coating composition comprising a fluorocarbon polymer, an epoxy resin and a fluorinated curing agent resulting in a fluorinated epoxy resin network with improved properties of corrosion resistance and hydrophobicity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for upgrading a hydrocarbonaceous material having an initial boiling point of at least about 625.degree. F. to a product having a lower boiling point than the initial boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material and/or a higher boiling point than the final boiling point of said hydrocarbonaceous material, the process comprising heating a mixture comprising said hydrocarbonaceous material and at least one organic solvent in an enclosed space in the absence of externally supplied water or hydrogen at a temperature in the range of about 750.degree. F. to about 1300.degree. F. and a pressure in excess of about 1200 psig for an effective period of time to yield said product, said pressure being sufficient to maintain the specific gravity of the contents of said enclosed space in the range of about 0.05 to about 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the noninvasive real-time characterization of samples using coherent backscattering is disclosed. The sample is illuminated by a laser, and the radiation that is coherently backscattered is measured. The line width or line shape of the coherent backscattered radiation, or in some cases just the existence of coherent backscatter, is then used to characterize the sample under test. This characterization is then used for the real time control of a process acting upon the sample.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for the selective separation of at least one component of a gaseous feedstream comprising passing the feedstream containing the component through a separation unit, the separation unit containing a porous membrane having a feed side and a permeate side, and a pore size of from about 10 Angstroms to about 200 Angstroms, and having disposed in the pores of the porous membrane a facilitator liquid comprising a carrier dissolved in a suitable solvent, including:a) dissolving the component in the facilitator liquid on the feed side of the porous membrane at the feed gas/membrane interface;b) forming a component-carrier complex;c) diffusing the complex to the permeate side of the porous membrane; andd) releasing the component from the carrier.

Abstract: A polymer blend comprises a high nitrile copolymer and a compatible thermoplastic polymer or copolymer containing polar groups, formed from monomers selected from the group consisting of alkylacrylamides, aliphatic and cyclic methacrylates, unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, vinyl pyrrolidones, heterocyclic ring compounds containing two hetero atoms, lactones and phosphorus-containing monomers that form highly crystalline polymers. Such blends can be used to form films and membranes having improved thermal, mechanical and optical properties.

Abstract: A moldable refractory composition containing from about 42 to about 83% by weight of a liquid vehicle, such as water; from about 13 to 50% by weight of ceramic fiber; from about 0.5 to 7% by weight of an inorganic binder derived from an inorganic colloidal dispersion having active hydroxyl groups capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups of the ceramic fiber; and from about 0.5 to 5% by weight of a high molecular weight organic resin which serves multiple functions including tackifier of the wet composition, cohesiveness of the wet composition, appropriate rheology of the wet composition to provide shelf life and a wide range of applications and in dry composition to provide green strength. Also described is the method of manufacture for the subject refractory moldable composition.

Abstract: A method for the determination of in-line and cross-line components of water velocity relative to a vessel heading on a chosen line, which method comprises the steps of:(a) generating electronic pulses and relaying these to a Doppler-Sonar transducer aligned fore and aft with respect to the keel of the vessel,(b) radiating pulses from the Doppler-Sonar transducer in a number of directions at an angle .theta. relative to the horizontal to a layer of water below but near to the surface of the water, and, simultaneously,(c) radiating pulses from the Doppler-Sonar transducer in a number of directions at an angle .alpha. relative to the horizontal, and greater than .theta.

Abstract: The instant invention is a process for the recovery from an aqueous solution of water soluble biopolymers, in particular polysaccharides, gums, agar, agarose and starches by the addition of polyoxide solution to the biopolymer containing solution. The biopolymer is then separated and collected.

Abstract: A corrosion-inhibiting composition comprises a blend of particles of two amorphous silicas; one containing corrosion-inhibiting cations releasable by ion-exchange and the second being substantially free of any corrosion-inhibiting ions. The weight ratio of the cation-containing silica to non ion containing silica is in the range 20:80 to 60:40.The corrosion-inhibiting composition may be incorporated into liquid media and protective coatings, which are based on film-forming polymers e.g. epoxy resins, vinyl resins, epoxy esters.The amorphous silica used is preferably of a microporous type. Calcium cations are the preferred corrosion inhibiting cations. The composition is preferable used to inhibit corrosion of aluminium surfaces.