Abstract: A process for removing vanadium and nickel deactivants from contaminated hydrodesulfurization catalysts comprising Group VIB and/or VIII active components on refractory oxide supports comprising contacting said catalysts with an aqueous solution of (1) oxalic acid and (2) at least one inorganic component selected from the class consisting of nitric acid and water-soluble nitrate salts. The removal of vanadium and nickel contaminants from the surface of a deactivated catalyst by the process of the invention substantially rejuvenates the catalyst for hydrodesulfurization purposes, provided such removal is accomplished prior to burning off any coke that may also be present on said catalysts.

Abstract: Composition and method for drilling a well into a high temperature subterranean reservoir, such as one containing a geothermal fluid, wherein there is used an aqueous foam drilling fluid containing (1) water, (2) gas, (3) a foaming agent, (4) an erosion and corrosion inhibitor, (5) a water-soluble or water-dispersible carboxyalkyl cellulose ether or polyalkylene oxide polymer which both controls the fluid loss of the foam and toughens it, and, optionally, (6) a bit lubricant and/or (7) an anti-torqueing agent.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2 in a feed gas containing H.sub.2 S is effected by oxidation with air or oxygen at temperatures between 300.degree. and 900.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. The preferred catalyst comprises between 5 and 15 wt.% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 on hydrogen mordenite or alumina. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. The invention is especially contemplated for use in treating waste gases from geothermal steam power plants.

Abstract: A method of conducting an enhanced oil recovery process in a subterranean reservoir wherein, as part of the process, there is injected into the reservoir as a sweep fluid a foam containing carbon dioxide, water and a foaming agent having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms; and M is an alkali metal or ammonium cation, with sodium being preferred. A particularly preferred foaming agent is sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.

Abstract: An extrusion die having a plurality of orifices arranged therein so that the number of orifices per unit area in the plane of the external die face is larger near the periphery of the die face than near the center thereof provides for the extrusion of material through all the die orifices at a relatively uniform linear velocity.

Abstract: The relative crushing strength of porous sulfur particles formed by quenching molten sulfur in a highly turbulent zone created by the intersection of the molten sulfur stream and a high velocity water stream is controlled by controlling the temperature of the molten sulfur introduced into the turbulent zone. The hardness of the porous particles increases as sulfur temperature is increased.

Abstract: In gas-solids contacting processes involving the transfer of granular solids from a high-temperature, non-oxidizing treating zone through an enclosed conduit to a combustion zone, the transfer of gases between the treating zone and the combustion zone is prevented by using a novel steam sealing technique which avoids the use of mechanical sealing means and differential pressure controllers. Steam is injected into the system between the two contacting zones, and by the use of flow rate controllers and a pressure controller, a portion of such steam is forced at all times to flow through the combustion zone, while another portion thereof is withdrawn from the transfer conduit in admixture with a portion of net off-gas from the treating zone. The control system is particularly adapted for use in oil shale retorting, wherein coke on the retorted shale is burned in a combustion zone.

Abstract: In gas/liquid contact processes for the absorption of sulfur gas streams using alkaline, oxygen regenerated washing solutions, for example as in the Stretford process, the washing solution is treated with a soluble aldehyde to control the rate of formation of thiosulfate salts in the solution. The thiosulfate is thus oxidized to sulfate which is subsequently recovered without any substantial loss of washing solution.

Abstract: Residual oils comprising asphaltenes, metal compounds, and refractory sulfur compounds are hydrodesulfurized by contact with a unique type of cobalt-molybdenum-alumina catalyst characterized by certain critical physical properties of surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and by a specific type of active surface area, all resulting from a final calcining step carried out at temperatures between about 1250.degree. and 1400.degree. F for a sufficient time to give a pore size distribution such that at least about 40% of the total pore volume is in pores in the 75-100 angstrom diameter range.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process for subterranean reservoirs wherein there is injected into the reservoir a relatively large slug of a dilute aqueous alkali metal silicate solution. It is optional to follow the said silicate solution with an aqueous drive fluid. In treating heterogeneous reservoirs, it is further optional to also inject a small slug of a dilute aqueous solution of an agent that reacts with the alkali metal silicate to form a gelatinous precipitate. In the latter instance a small spacer slug of water is injected between successive slugs of the reactant solutions to separate the reactants during injection.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a producing well by introducing an explosive into perforation tunnels which communicate between the reservoir and the well bore and detonating the explosive while maintaining the well bore at about reservoir pressure and relatively free of explosive.

Abstract: Thermoplastic, soluble ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers are produced using a Pd(CN).sub.2 catalyst in the presence of an alkanoic acid substituted by a halide group on an alpha carbon. The polymers are useful for forming films and fibers and can be incorporated in the thermoplastic, coating or adhesive compositions, e.g., in hot melts, to improve the adhesion and consistency of films prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Oil-soluble nickel, cobalt, or copper-containing additives are blended with a hydrocarbon feedstock containing arsenic, and the resulting solution is heated to at least 300.degree. F to convert a large proportion of the arsenic to forms removable by conventional filtration or desalting techniques. Preferably, the feedstock-additive solution is heated to at least 500.degree. F and is then distilled so as to produce one or more distillate fractions consisting of components that boil at atmospheric pressure at temperatures in the range 400.degree.-900.degree. F; such distillate fractions will contain arsenic in a concentration less that 20% of that of the feedstock.

Abstract: High grade, low-sulfur needle coke is produced from heavy high-sulfur aromatic mineral oil feedstocks by a sequence of (1) fractionating the feedstock into a minor heavy fraction, and a major lighter fraction, (2) subjecting the lighter fraction to mild hydrofining, (3) blending the heavy fraction separated in step (1) with the heavy fraction of hydrofined oil from step (2), (4) subjecting the resulting blend to delayed thermal coking, and preferably (5) recycling to the coking step heavy coker gas oil recovered from the coker effluent. If desired, the aromaticity of the heavy hydrofined oil from step (2) can be increased by subjecting the same to thermal cracking prior to step (3).

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering any of two or more liquids from their respective storage tanks into a tank truck or the like while avoiding contamination of the liquid being delivered with any significant amount of a previously delivered liquid. Means are provided for collecting vapor from the tank truck and for minimizing evaporation losses of the liquid being delivered.

Abstract: Volatilization loss of surface broadcast urea is reduced by combining the urea with an acid generating compound in a concentration sufficient to maintain a neutral or slightly acidic environment in the immediate vicinity of the urea particles.

Abstract: A method of forming a mixed plug in the more permeable zones of a subterranean reservoir of nonuniform permeability in which there is injected into the reservoir aqueous solutions of: a polymer, a material that reacts with the polymer to form a time-delayed polymer-containing plug, an alkali metal silicate and a material that reacts with the silicate to form a time-delayed silicate-containing plug. The injected solutions are either admixed at the surface prior to injection or are simultaneously injected so that a mixed polymer-silicate plug is formed in the reservoir.

Abstract: A high temperature cement system including a carbon-containing, low volatile material additive admixed with cement in proportions sufficient to provide a fixed carbon content of at least 0.02 wt.%. Additives include anthracite, calcined coke, uncalcined coke and burned oil shale.

Abstract: A method is provided for retorting oil shale whereby full utilization of the heat energy available in the retorted shale and maximum desulfurization of the flue gas released to the atmosphere are simultaneously effected. Basically, the process comprises passing a crushed shale feed upwardly through preheating and retorting zones in a retort vessel wherein eduction of shale oil and product gases is achieved by direct heat exchange with a preheated, recycled portion of said product gases passed countercurrently to the shale feed, and then passing the retorted shale downwardly through combustion and cooling zones. Complete combustion of coke on the retorted shale in the combustion zone not only results in full utilization of the potential heat energy stored within the retorted shale but also in the production of gaseous sulfur components (mostly SO.sub.2) that chemically react with the alkaline components of the shale. Concurrent flow of gas and retorted shale in the combustion zone at temperatures between 900.

Abstract: The dissolving and/or dispersing of relatively large proportions of reclaimed rubber into molten paving asphalts is facilitated by incorporating into the asphalt a minor proportion of a highly aromatic, high-boiling, high-flash-point mineral oil. The resulting mixtures can be held at temperatures above 300.degree. F for substantial periods of time without becoming too viscous for convenient handling, thereby facilitating the application thereof to roadways. The rubberized asphalt mixtures are particularly useful in the form of stress absorbing membrane interlayers between old, damaged pavement surfaces and an overlayer of new asphalt concrete, for providing chip-seal coatings over old pavement, as crack fillers in Portland Cement concrete or asphalt concrete pavements, and bridge deck waterproofing membranes.