Abstract: Mixed catalyst compositions comprised of a first supported chromium-containing catalyst component and a second supported chromium-containing catalyst component and which additionally have one or more metallic or non-metallic catalytic agents associated therewith are provided. The additional metallic or non-metallic elements associated with the catalyst components can be aluminum, titanium, zirconium, boron, phosphorous or combinations thereof. The pore volume of the silica supports used for the first and second catalyst components differs by at least 0.3 cc/g. The mixed catalyst compositions of the invention are useful for the preparation of polyolefins. They are particularly useful of polymerization of ethylene in particle form polymerizations to produce high density polyethylene blow molding resins having good processability and physical properties. The improved particle form polymerization process and products obtained thereby using the above-described mixed catalyst compositions are also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ethylene-unsaturated polycarboxylic graft copolymer is disclosed. In this process an ethylene polymer having terminal double bond functionality is contacted with an unsaturated polycarboxylic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A closed tube extension or deadleg is included below the vertical tube of a hydrocarbon pyrolysis furnace. The deadleg passively collects spall coke particles to avoid plugging of the tube or its hydrocarbon inlet. Inspection or cleaning devices can be inserted through the deadleg into the tube and blocked tubes can be cleared. Pressurized steam and/or air can be injected through the deadleg to accelerate decoking of individual tubes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the removal of hydrocarbons from polymer slurries are disclosed. The invention includes feeding a hydrocarbon-containing polymer slurry to a flash tank to flash a portion of the hydrocarbon from the slurry. A fraction of the residual slurry is circulated through a heating means and recirculated back to the flash tank to flash additional hydrocarbon from the slurry. The invention is applicable to remove isobutane solvent from an aqueous polyethylene slurry. It is also applicable to the removal of other hydrocarbons, including solvents, monomer and comonomer from polymer slurries.

Abstract: An improved blown-film extrusion process with particular application for high modulus thermoplastic resins. A cylinder is mounted above the cooling air ring. The film bubble passes through this cylinder, which has a diameter approximating the final diameter of the bubble. The frost line remains at or slightly higher than the top of the cylinder, leaving a small gap between the top of the cylinder bubble. The improvement enhances bubble cooling and stability and results in wrinkle-free film.

Abstract: A method for pretreatment of a palladium-gold catalyst useful in the synthesis of vinyl acetate. A virgin catalyst, following reduction to the metallic palladium and gold, is first heated at elevated temperatures in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as air. The oxidizing agent is withdrawn and an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced. The catalyst is heated against at a temperature up to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydrogen or ethylene. Improvement in selectivity and yield are obtained.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitor as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. the sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitol as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. The sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: An earth impedance determination and compensation system for use with a seismic vibrator utilizes output signals from accelerometers on the baseplate and reaction mass portions of the vibrator to create a signal indicative of the near-surface weathered earth layer impedance below the baseplate. The impedance signal is utilized to generate parameter signals which are indicative of the compressional and shear wave patterns generated by the baseplate and may be used to more rapidly and accurately design seismic source arrays to optimize the wave pattern emanating therefrom. One of the parameter signals is directly indicative of the travel time thickness of the weathered surface layer and may be used to accurately determine the static correction factor attributable solely to weathered layer topography.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed which is represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein: Y is hydrogen, ammonium, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal; R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or alkyl groups of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 2 to about 3 carbon atoms, and R.sup.4 is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R.sup.2 is not the same as R.sup.4 and either R.sup.2 or R.sup.4 is hydrogen; m is a number sufficient to provide the acid or salt portion of said polymer at a level of from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the total weight of said polymer; n is a number sufficient to provide the amide portion of said polymer at a level of from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the total weight of said polymer; and x is a number sufficient to provide said polymer with a molecular weight of at least about 100,000.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are scavenged from materials, especially fluids, by contacting the fluids with maleimides.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well comprising: injecting into the reservoir through the injection well a surfactant slug comprising an aqueous solution containing about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant and an effective amount of a high molecular weight homopolysaccharide gum thickener derived from fungus strains of the genus Schlerotium to provide the surfactant slug with a viscosity exceeding the viscosity of the petroleum in the reservoir; and recovering fluid from the production well.

Abstract: A protective coating which is resistant to attack by basic solutions is formed from interpolymers containing maleic anhydride (MAH). An article is coated with a solution of the dissolved ammonium or amine salts of the MAH interpolymer, or if the article itself contains MAH the salts may alternatively be formed on the surface of the article by applying a basic solution containing the ammonium or amine ions. The article is then dried and heated at a temperature sufficient to form the cyclic imide structure from the ammonium or amine salt of the MAH, typically about 160 to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: Unsaturated nitrile compounds, e.g., acrylonitrile, are used as microbiocides to inhibit undesired bacterial growth in injection water used in enhanced oil recovery methods. The biocides are efficacious for the control of sulfate reducing bacteria, including Desulfovibrio desulfuricans.

Abstract: An improved method for enhanced oil recovery utilizing caustic or alkaline water flooding which avoids precipitation of hydroxides in the injection water or plugging of the reservoir. A lignosulfonate material is blended with the injection water before the addition of the alkaline chemical, the amount of lignosulfonate being sufficient to prevent formation of any precipitates.

Abstract: In an emulsifier system for the tertiary recovery of oil comprising a surfactant and an alcohol cosurfactant, improved results are achieved if the alcohol cosurfactant is composed of a mixture of alcohols having no more than 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A continuously controlled process for cooling a material to within a desired temperature range as the material moves along a path, especially suitable for situations in which the amount of material being cooled is unknown. The material is first contacted with a known amount of cooling liquid, e.g., water. The temperature of the water (or steam) is measured after contact with the material, and this information is then used to determine the amount of additional cooling required. An embodiment utilizing the process to cool calcined coke in a rotary cooler is described.

Abstract: Aryl ethers, e.g., cumylmethylether and anisole, are particularly effective additives for improving the octane number of motor fuels. These aryl ethers are especially useful in increasing the octane number of unleaded gasolines.

Abstract: Novel water insoluble polyamide esters are prepared from dicarboxylic acid diamide derivatives of terephthalic acid and a glycol. In one embodiment, nearly perfectly alternating polyamide esters are prepared in the presence of antimony (III) acetate.