Abstract: A seismic system is provided with a method of reducing distortions caused by motion of a source and receiver in marine seismic measurements. In one embodiment, the seismic system comprises a seismic source, a seismic receiver, a source/receiver interface unit, a processing unit, a data storage unit, a display device, and a user input device. The processing unit is configured to receive seismic measurements from the seismic receiver and to create a seismic velocity model from the received data. The processing unit uses the velocity model to calculate a dilation function that is indicative of distortion caused by motion of the seismic source.

Abstract: Diesel fuels which have good ignition qualities, good combustion emission performance and good low temperature characteristics are characterized by a cetane number of at least 45, a total aromatics content of 10 to 15 wt. pct., a polynuclear aromatics content of less than 11 wt. pct., a sulfur content of not more than 50 ppmw, a total nitrogen content (from all sources) of not more than 100 ppmw, and excellent low temperature flow properties as manifested by a pour point not higher than -12.degree. C. and a cloud point not higher than -10.degree. C.

Abstract: When different trialkyl methanes containing 25 through 36 carbon atoms are mixed the mixture exhibits surprisingly superior lubricant properties including low viscosity, high VI, low volatility, very low pour point and a dynamic viscosity at low temperatures that is less than those of PAO lubricants. Statistically predictable mixture compositions of mixed trialkyl methanes are prepared by reaction of mixtures of n-alkyl organometallic compounds with mixed aliphatic esters or equivalent compounds.

Abstract: A process for reducing the Mutagenicity Index and/or the PCA content of a lubricating oil extract by re-extracting a lubricating oil extract with a second extraction solvent, different from the first extraction solvent, to form a secondary raffinate and a secondary extract mix; separating the secondary raffinate from the secondary extract mix; and separating the secondary raffinate and the secondary extract from said second extraction solvent.

Abstract: A nozzle and method of use thereof is provided for atomizing a liquid stream. The nozzle is particularly useful for atomizing a hydrocarbon feed into a catalytic cracking zone of a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process. The nozzle includes a primary conduit for receiving a liquid stream and a secondary conduit for receiving a dispersion medium. At least a portion of the secondary conduit is positioned within the primary conduit to form a passageway for the liquid stream between the inner surface of the primary conduit and outer surface of secondary conduit. The dispersion medium and liquid stream are combined in a mixing zone that is located between the outlet of the secondary conduit and the outlet of the primary conduit. In the mixing zone, the primary conduit inner surface is gradually tapered so the cross-sectional area of the primary conduit outlet is decreased relative to the cross-sectional area of the primary conduit inlet.

Abstract: A process for producing terephthalic acid and/or dimethyl terephthalate includes contacting a toluene-containing reaction stream with a first catalyst under toluene disproportionation conditions to produce an intermediate product stream of para-xylene with negligible ortho-xylene. The first catalyst includes a crystalline molecular sieve which has an ortho-xylene diffusion rate of at least 50 minutes. The first catalyst can be modified by selectivation with a silicon compound or carbon compound. The intermediate product stream, without need for para-xylene purification, is oxidized to terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate.

Abstract: A stable floating barge-platform for offshore operations and a method for assembling same. The barge-platform is assembled from a plurality of substantially identical, buoyant modules, all of which have substantially the same outer configuration. The buoyant modules are constructed onshore and transported to an offshore location where they are positioned and connected together to form the platform. When connected, an opening will be present through the center of the platform. This opening reduces the bottom area of the platform and accordingly substantially reduces the wave forces on the platform.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an acidic solid oxide having a reduced particle density, where the acidic solid oxide comprises a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an anion or oxyanion of a Group VIB metal. An example of this acidic solid oxide is zirconia modified with tungstate. The acidic solid oxide having a reduced particle density is prepared by coprecipitating the Group IVB metal oxide along with the anion or oxyanion of the Group VIB metal in the presence of a salt. This acidic solid oxide is particularly effective as a paraffin isomerization catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing 2,6-dialkylnaphthalene from a hydrocarbon feedstock that contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of dialkylnaphthalene isomers, monoalkylnaphthalene isomers, polyalkylnaphthalenes, and naphthalene, is provided that includes the following steps:I. separating the hydrocarbon feedstock and/or a dealkylation product fed from step III into a naphthalene fraction, a monoalkylnaphthalene fraction, a dialkylnaphthalene fraction and a remaining products fraction;II. separating and purifying 2,6-dialkylnaphthalene from the dialkylnaphthalene fraction of step I;III. dealkylating the hydrocarbon feedstock and/or the remaining products fraction of step I and feeding the dealkylation product to step I; andIV. alkylating the naphthalene and monoalkylnaphthalene fractions of step I;wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is fed to step I or step III.

Abstract: A uniaxially heat-shrinkable, biaxially oriented, multilayer film having a polypropylene-containing core layer comprising at least 70 wt. % of said multilayer film and optionally, at least one polyolefin-containing skin layer adjacent said core layer, is prepared by biaxially orienting a coextrudate and therefore orienting said coextrudate by stretching 10 to 40 % in the machine direction. The core layer contains isotactic polypropylene and a sufficient amount of syndiotactic polypropylene to inhibit uniaxial heat shrinkage at temperature below about 50.degree. C. The skin layer can be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polyethylene, and ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing an olefin epoxidation catalyst comprises the step of treating a porous crystalline aluminosilicate material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4.+-.0.25, 6.9.+-.0.15, 3.57.+-.0.07 and 3.42.+-.0.07 Angstrom, such as MCM-22, with a dealuminating agent under conditions effective to remove framework aluminium from the material and produce a dealuminated product. The dealuminated product is then treated with a titanium-containing material under conditions effective to insert titanium into the dealuminated product and produce a titanium-containing, dealuminated catalyst composition.The resultant catalyst is useful in the epoxidation of olefins, such as propylene and cyclohexene, with hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides.

Abstract: A method for extracting bitumen from crushed mined tar sands comprising contacting the mined tar sands with a solvent in the presence of sonic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.0 kHz. Specifically, a solvent is first mixed with crushed mined tar sands and the mixture is then formed into a slurry of tar sand suspended in the solvent. Thereafter the tar sand slurry is injected into the top of a vertically disposed, substantially rectangular shaped, hollow acoustic chamber of uniform cross-section. Fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber and flows upwardly through the cell. The fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber at a rate low enough whereby the tar sand particles in the slurry fall by gravity through the upwardly flowing solvent. The tar sand particles and solvent in the acoustic chamber are subjected to acoustic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively recovering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide using a bisglycoluril derivative to selectively extract the methane.

Abstract: The invention provides dispersants and dispersant viscosity index improvers which include polymers of conjugated dienes which have been hydrogenated, functionalized, optionally modified and post treated. The dispersant substances include a copolymer of two different conjugated dienes. The polymers are selectively hydrogenated to produce polymers which have highly controlled amounts of unsaturation, permitting highly selective functionalization. The polymers may be functionalized by hydroformylation followed by reductive amination. Also provided are lubricant fluids, such as mineral and synthetic oils, which have been modified in their dispersancy and/or viscometric properties by means of the dispersant substances of the invention. Also provided are methods of modifying the dispersancy and/or viscometric properties of lubricating fluids such as mineral and synthetic lubricating oils. The dispersant substances may also include a carrier fluid to provide dispersant concentrates.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing MCM-48 includes combining an inorganic silica reagent, an alkylammonium hydroxide and halide-containing surfactant to form a reaction mixture which is maintained under sufficient conditions to form a crystalline MCM-48 product. In a preferred embodiment, the organic silica reagent and the alkylammonium hydroxide are combined in the agueous medium to form a first reactions mixture and the halide-containing surfactant is then added to the first mixture so as to form a second reaction mixture which is then reacted to form the MCM-48 product. The crystalline MCM-48 material according to the invention can be functionalized by adding aluminum. The crystalline MCM-48 product produced by the process of this invention possesses an X-ray diffraction pattern indicative of a cubic unit cell with Ia3d symmetry.

Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbon composition, containing paraffinic hydrocarbon components in which the extent of branching, as measured by the percentage of methyl hydrogens (BI), and the proximity of branching, as measured by the percentage of recurring methylene carbons which are four or more carbons removed from an end group or branch (CH.sub.2 >4), are such that:(a) BI-0.5(CH.sub.2 >4)>15; and(b) BI+0.85(CH.sub.2 >4)<45as measured over said liquid hydrocarbon composition as a whole.

Abstract: A system and a method for regasifing LNG aboard a carrier vessel before the re-vaporized natural gas is transferred to shore. The pressure of the LNG is boosted substantially while the LNG is in its liquid phase and before it is flowed through a vaporizer(s) which, in turn, is positioned aboard the vessel. Seawater taken from the body of water surrounding said vessel is flowed through the vaporizer to heat and vaporize the LNG back into natural gas before the natural gas is off-loaded to onshore facilities.

Abstract: Homogeneous lubricant blends are disclosed comprising polyether liquid lubricants miscible with synthetic hydrocarbon fluids or severely hydroprocessed basestock. The lubricants comprise SHF or hydroprocessed basestock and polyalkylene oxide polymer having recurring units of at least one long chain monoepoxy alkane monomer(s) containing 8 to 30 carbon atoms and short chain comonomer(s) selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted tetrahydrofuran, oxetan, butylene oxide propylene oxide and ethylene oxide wherein the mole ratio of long chain monoepoxy alkane monomers to short chain comonomers is between 0.5 and 9.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoplastic film having a matte surface comprising: a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer, the core layer having a first side and a second side, and a matte surface layer on a first side of the core layer, the matte surface layer comprising a blend of (i) a copolymer of ethylene and propylene or a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefin or a propylene homopolymer; (ii) an ethylene polymer and (iii) a polydialkylsiloxane selected from the group consisting of (1) a polydialkylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight above about 250,000, typically above about 300,000 and a viscosity of above about 10,000,000 cSt, usually ranging from about 15,000,000 to about 20,000,000 cSt., and (2) a polydialkylsiloxane functionalized polyolefin. The external surface of the matte surface layer demonstrates a coefficient of friction ranging from about 0.1 to about 0.85 as determined by ASTM D1894 with an 18.14 kg (4 lb.) pound sled.

Abstract: A used lubricant oil recycling process is disclosed in which a used lubricating oil is injected to a delayed coker downstream of the coker furnace whereby the used oil is thermally cracked into hydrocarbon fuel products which are low in metal contaminants, sulfur and nitrogen. The used lubricant can be preheated in an independent heater to avoid a quenching effect of the process stream when added in an amount greater than about 3% by volume based on the entire volume of the feed.