Abstract: Gasoline compositions containing methylcyclopentadienylmanganesetricarbonyl (hereinafter MCMT) are stabilized against oxidation by the addition of 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide to form methane (methanation), using certain sulfur-sensitive nickel-alumina catalysts having a relatively low ratio of nickel surface area to nickel mass. It has been found that when such catalysts become deactivated as a result of sulfur poisoning, they can be reactivated to substantially fresh activity by reduction with hydrogen. Other nickel-alumina methanation catalysts having higher nickel surface areas are found to be essentially non-regenerable by hydrogen reduction following sulfur deactivation.

Abstract: In the pressure testing of catalyst-loaded reactors with nitrogen gas at elevated temperatures, it is found that certain types of zeolite catalysts are substantially degraded in activity. The catalysts concerned comprises a Group VIII noble metal in an oxidized state, dispersed on a crystalline hydrogen zeolite, e.g., Y zeolite. It has now been discovered however that if such catalysts are first prereduced with a dilute, non-combustible mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, damage on subsequent pressure testing with nitrogen is prevented or drastically reduced. Following pressure testing, the catalyst is activated by dehydration in a stream of hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Nickel-alumina catalysts having a remarkably high degree of thermal stability, and active for the hydrogenation of carbon oxides (methanation), are prepared by a novel "precipitative-occlusion" method. This method involves digesting a slurry of an alumina hydrate in an aqueous solution of an amino complex of a nickel salt. The digestion is carried out at a temperature sufficiently high to decompose the amino complex and "release" the nickel (II) ions. This results in a gradual precipitation of nickel hydroxide in the pores and interstices formed by the agglomerating particles of alumina hydrate. The coflocculated solids are recovered as by filtration, washed, dried and calcined. The resulting compositions are found, in high temperature reactions such as methanation, to retain their activity for much longer periods of time than do conventional nickel-alumina catalysts prepared by the most widely used prior art technique, viz., coprecipitation.

Abstract: Heavy mineral oil fractions are selectively hydrocracked to produce mainly middle distillate oils boiling in the 300.degree.-700.degree. F range. Certain novel, highly active and selective catalysts are utilized comprising molybdenum and/or tungsten plus nickel and/or cobalt supported upon certain heterogeneous composites of a silica-alumina cogel or copolymer dispersed in a matrix consisting essentially of alumina gel.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhanced oil recovery utilizing an aqueous displacement fluid containing or contaminated by brine and containing a polyacrylamide or polyacrylamide derivative as a thickener and "OK Liquid" detergent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x components contained in stack gases are simultaneously reduced to N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S, respectively, by passing said stack gases (which also contain steam and usually some oxygen) over bituminous coke at between about 900.degree. and 1600.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for treating a hydrogen sulfide-containing hydrogenated Claus process tail gas to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur in which said gas is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution containing a water-soluble metal vanadate, a water-soluble anthraquinone disulfonate, and a water-soluble, inorganic fluoride, borate, or phosphate complexing agent to yield an effluent gas of reduced sulfur content. The solution is thereafter regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas, elemental sulfur is recovered from the solution, and the regenerated solution is recycled to the gas-contacting step. The complexing agent contained in the solution reduces the chemical consumption of the anthraquinone disulfonate.

Abstract: The invention comprises the oxidation of olefins to unsaturated esters of organic acids or acetals and/or unsaturated ethers of alcohols by contacting the olefin with an organic acid or alcohol reactant in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound of a Group VIII noble metal and a redox agent. The catalyst is maintained active by contacting it with oxygen introduced simultaneously or intermittently with the olefin or by circulating the catalyst between separate oxygen and olefin contacting zones. The oxidation can be performed under liquid phase conditions by initiating the contacting with a dissolved catalyst or can be performed under vapor phase conditions by initiating the contacting with the catalyst distended on a solid support.

Abstract: A porous catalytic composite is provided which is effective for the simultaneous conversion of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in engine exhaust gases. The composite comprises at least two physically separate but contiguous components. The first component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon rhodium plus nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of platinum and palladium. The second component comprises a porous inert support having dispersed thereon platinum and/or palladium, with or without nickel and/or cobalt, and is essentially free of rhodium.

Abstract: A process for recovering petroleum from subterranean reservoirs where high salt content water is used in a secondary recovery process consisting of forming as the displacement fluid a dilute alkaline silicate solution utilizing the high salt content water and filtering the alkaline flooding solution to remove scale-forming alkali insoluble salts which include a substantial proportion of calcium and magnesium salts. The filtered solution is injected into the reservoir and this is followed by an injection of a slug of substantially neutral water. A dilute acid solution is utilized to contact and dissolve the alkaline insoluble salts which have been filtered from the alkaline solution and the thus formed solution which includes a substantial portion of soluble calcium and magnesium salts is injected into the reservoir for subsequent contact with the alkaline silicate solution.

Abstract: An ice island for use in offshore operations in cold waters includes an operations pad and a surrounding containment barrier, the bases of which are grounded on the marine bottom. The island is constructed by accumulating ice in confined areas defined on a sheet of native ice until the mass of the accumulated ice causes the ice underlying and adjacent to the confined area to be depressed with respect to the main body of ice and be grounded on the marine bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing steam into selected strata of a relatively thick subterranean formation penetrated by a well. The apparatus includes an elongated housing attachable to the lower end of the well tubing, the housing having a closed lower end and a plurality of jets spaced around the sidewall thereof so as to be positioned opposite the strata to be treated. The jets direct the steam outwardly and downwardly against the formation face, causing it to preferentially enter the selected strata.

Abstract: A process for removing arsenic from a mineral oil feedstock containing at least 2 ppmw arsenic comprises contacting said feedstock at elevated temperatures with a catalytic absorbent comprising a nickel sulfide and a molybdenum sulfide composited with a refractory oxide, said nickel sulfide and said refractory oxide each being present in relatively large proportions. Under preferred conditions a product oil stream containing less than 2 ppmw arsenic is continuously obtained from said contacting until a weight of arsenic at least equivalent to that of the nickel in the catalytic absorbent has been absorbed thereon.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the deposition of wax onto a solid surface from wax-containing petroleum and other wax-containing oils in contact with such solid surface comprising adding to such oils a synergistic mixture of a copolymer of ethylene and a monoethylenically unsaturated ester and one or more fatty derivatives, such as a high molecular weight alcohol, a natural wax, or a fatty acid.

Abstract: A novel process for the demetallization of petroleum feedstocks comprising contacting a petroleum feedstock at elevated pressures and temperatures, and preferably in the presence of hydrogen, with a catalyst comprising a manganese component composited with alumina, said catalyst having a surface area in excess of 175 m.sup.2 /gm and having at least 60% of its pore volume in pores having diameters between 50 and 200 A. Preferred catalysts comprise between about 2 and 15 weight-percent manganese. Removal of more than 25%, usually more than 50%, of the organometallic impurities can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved process for educing shale oil having a low arsenic content and for producing hydrogen from oil shale in high yields comprises passing the oil shale upwardly through a gas-heated pyrolysis zone to educe oil therefrom, and then passing the spent, coke-laden shale downwardly through a gasification-combustion zone to produce hydrogen-rich heating gas and/or substantially pure hydrogen for use in catalytic refining of the educed shale oil. Air or oxygen is introduced to the gasification-combustion zone to burn part of the residual coke, thereby heating the spent shale up to gasification temperatures. Steam is injected concurrently with the oxidizing gas in order to gasify unburned coke via the water gas reaction. Improved hydrogen yields and purity and more effective shale retorting are achieved by recycling hot product gas for eduction into admixture with the gasifier product between the gasification and pyrolysis zones, and eliminating recycle to the gasification-combustion zone.

Abstract: Nickel-alumina catalysts having a remarkably high degree of thermal stability, and active for the hydrogenation of carbon oxides (methanation), steam reforming, gasification, etc. are prepared by a novel "precipitative-occlusion" method. This method involves digesting a slurry of an alumina hydrate in an aqueous solution of an ammino complex of a nickel salt. The digestion is carried out at a temperature sufficiently high to decompose the ammino complex and "release" the nickel (II) ions. This results in a gradual precipitation of nickel hydroxide in the pores and interstices formed by the agglomerating particles of alumina hydrate. The coflocculated solids are recovered as by filtration, washed, dried and calcined. The resulting compositions are found, in high temperature reactions such as methanation, to retain their activity for much longer periods of time than do conventional nickel-alumina catalysts prepared by the most widely used prior art technique, viz., coprecipitation.

Abstract: Stable aqueous ammonium phosphate containing a higher proportion of polyphosphates is obtained by reacting phosphoric acid with ammonia in the presence of sulfuric, nitric or hydrochloric acids under conditions sufficient to produce a partially neutralized melt containing polymeric phosphates at a temperature between 400.degree. and about 750.degree. F. by the autogenous heat of neutralization, quenching and further neutralizing the melt.

Abstract: A desirably upgraded charge stock for catalytic cracking containing a relatively large proportion of heavy hydrocarbons boiling above about 800.degree. F., is produced by first subjecting a raw feedstock boiling predominantly above 600.degree. F. and containing a substantial proportion of material boiling above 800.degree. F., to catalytic hydrofining followed by catalytic hydrocracking at high pressures in the presence of a Group VIB and/or Group VIII metal-promoted, crystalline zeolite hydrocracking catalyst. The hydrocracking catalyst and conditions are chosen so as to achieve selective conversion of material boiling between about 600.degree. and 800.degree. F. to lower boiling materials with a relatively minor conversion of the 800.degree. F+ material. The resulting product boiling above 400.degree. F is rich in 800.degree. F+ material, and constitutes an excellent catalytic cracking charge stock.