Abstract: In-situ hydrogenation of an underground coal formation is carried out by fracturing the formation and sealing it, to provide an in-situ reactor site. Then a liquid solvent stream and a gaseous hydrogen stream are introduced into the fractured formation, allowing reaction and conversion of the coal to lighter, hydrogenated components.

Abstract: A purgable soil gas probe for removing small quantities of gases from the earth's soil to determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits nearby. A removable evacuated container is attached to the upper end of the probe to withdraw soil gas through the probe into the container. A device such as a stop cock regulates the flow of external gases into the probe. The probe is purged by attaching a first evacuated container to withdraw any contaminating gases within the probe, and then replacing it with a second evacuated container to withdraw the soil gases to be analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy and converting it to electrical energy utilizing solar panels pivotally mounted to a base such that the panels may be pivoted to a storage position inside said base. Additional solar panels may be pivotally mounted on retractable frame trays which stow inside the base when the panels are pivoted to a horizontal position.

Abstract: The network, useful in conducting fluids to underground sites, is an assembly of flexible pipes or tubes, suspended from and connected to a drill pipe. The flexible pipes, assembled in a bundle, are spring biased to flare outwardly in an arcuate manner when a releasable cap on the distal end of the bundle is removed. The assembled bundle is inserted into and lowered down a bore hole. When the cap is released, the pipes flare radially and outwardly. Fluid, pumped into and through the assembly, can be directed into the underground formation for various purposes.

Abstract: A cling/stretch wrap film having desirable processing and end use characteristics is made from a composition of 90-97.5 wt. % an ethylene polymer having a melt flow value between 0.2 to 6.0 such as EVA copolymer (4-5 wt. % VA content) and 2.5-10 wt. % low density amorphous copolymer of ethylene and propylene (about 3-5 wt. % ethylene).

Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalysts of the type prepared by (1) drying an inorganic oxide, such as silica, having surface hydroxyl groups to remove adsorbed water, (2) slurrying the dried inorganic oxide in an inert liquid hydrocarbon, such as a hydrocarbon boiling in the C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 range, (3) reacting the surface hydroxyl groups of the dried inorganic oxide with an organometallic compound, such as a trialkylaluminum, and (4) reacting the thus-treated support with a vanadium compound, such as vanadium oxytrichloride, are made reproducibly uniform at commercial scale by modifying the catalyst syntheses so as to (a) conduct the reactions with agitation in an amount of inert liquid hydrocarbon such as to provide a weight/unit volume solids content of about 10 to 50% and (b) add the vanadium compound to the agitated slurry of treated inorganic oxide particles at a rate such as to ensure substantially uniform coverage of those particles with the vanadium compound as it reacts therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for selectively expanding the wall of a tube by compression and subsequent radial expansion of one or more elastomeric bars lodged within longitudinal slots of a bushing positioned inside the tube. Expansion of the elastomeric bars against the inner surface of the tube results in expansion of the tube wall at intermittent locations about the circumference of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for expanding a tube at selective points about its circumference to join with another tube. After a segment of a first tube is inserted into a second tube having an end sleeve segment with a larger diameter and wall thickness than the first tube, compression and subsequent radial expansion of one or more elastomeric bars lodged within longitudinal slots of a bushing means locted within the first tube end segment cause the elastomer to radially expand the wall of the first tube. The wall of the first tube expands at selective points against the wall of the second tube in proximity to their respective ends, creating a selective interference fit therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy and converting it to electrical energy utilizing solar panels pivotally mounted to a base such that the panels may be pivoted to a storage position inside said base. Additional solar panels may be pivotally mounted on retractable frame trays which stow inside the base when the panels are pivoted to a horizontal position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for joining a tube into a tube sheet opening. After a tube is inserted into a tube sheet opening, compression and subsequent radial expansion of an elastomeric material inside the tube causes the elastomer to radially expand the tube wall creating an interference fit between the tube and inner wall of the tube sheet opening. A portion of the elastomer positioned exterior to the tube sheet face expands to a greater radial diameter than the portion of the elastomer within the tube sheet opening resulting in radial expansion of the tube wall toward the tube sheet face to create a sealing effect between the tube and tube sheet.

Abstract: Oxygen and steam are mixed with partially reacted carbonaceous material within a first stage gasification zone to produce synthesis gas. The hot synthesis gas long with additional carbonaceous material is then reacted in a second stage hydropyrolysis zone. The reaction mixture is rapidly quenched and removed from the second stage thereby limiting the total second stage high temperature exposure time from about two milliseconds to about two seconds. The resultant products comprise char, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons including high yields of benzene, toluene and xylene, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 gases. The first and second stages may consist of two separate reactors or two reactors integrated into a single vessel, each utilizing either an upflow or downflow configuration.

Abstract: The electrode of an electrode well is formed by inserting a heating device into the borehole and heating the surrounding formation to a temperature at which the hydrocarbon-containing material undergoes thermal cracking, resulting in a coke-like residue surrounding the heater. This conductive and permeable carbonized material serves as an electrode of enlarged radius for further electroheating of the formation.

Abstract: In a pair of electrode wells to be developed for injection and production wells for the electrothermal process for recovering heavy hydrocarbons, the electrodes are formed by inserting a heating device in each borehole and heating the surrounding formation to a temperature at which the hydrocarbon-containing material undergoes thermal cracking, resulting in a coke-like residue surrounding the heater. This conductive and permeable material serves as an electrode, for each well, by which the formation is heated. The heavy hydrocarbon material, such as bitumen found in tar sands, becomes mobile and can be recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus, for the rapid heating and subsequent reaction of carbonaceous material and hydrogen, comprising a cylindrical reactor shell; a first inlet conduit, coaxial with the shell, terminating inside the shell and having the terminal discharge end covered with a metal that resists carbide formation which leads to plugging; a second inlet conduit whose discharge end is in proximity to the discharge end of the first conduit; and suitable insulation means between the first and second conduits.

Abstract: Bitumen is recovered from an underground tar sands (oil sands) formation by an in-situ percolation process. After drilling a borehole to the bottom of the tar sand formation, the hole is enlarged by radially hydraulic jetting, with the resultant slurry being removed to the surface. Then, the main body of the formation immediately surrounding the borehold is fragmented and slurried, forming a cell or chamber for in-situ processing. A system of small diameter, specially designed, flexible, perforated metal pipes is then introduced through the slurry mixture to the bottom of the chamber. As designed, the pipes flare radially outward as they descend, resulting in a set of pipes resting on or near the bottom of the chamber, pointing outwardly from the central pipe like wheel spokes. Processing material, such a hot alkaline water, is pressured through the pipe system and percolates upwardly through the slurry mixture, separating the bitumen from the sand matrix.

Abstract: Petroleum coke is processed to reduce the sulfur content. Ground coke is contacted with hot hydrogen, under pressurized conditions, for a residence time of about 2 to 60 seconds. The desulfurized coke is suitable for metallurgical or electrode uses.

Abstract: The invention concerns the flow and measurement of divided solids in small diameter tubes at high pressures. A flow channel is drilled through a metal block. A second channel is drilled so that the second channel intersects the first channel at a right angle. A beam of light, sent through an optical fiber in the second channel, travels across the first channel and is received and recorded in the distal end of the extension of the second channel. Interruptions of the light beam, due to the passage of solids along the first channel, are translated into indications of the flow of the solids.