Abstract: 2,6-Dialkylnaphthalene is prepared from a feedstock comprising naphthalene and an alkylating agent, by a process comprising the steps:(I) transalkylating isomers of dialkylnaphthalene and naphthalene to produce monoalkylnaphthalene and isomers of dialkylnaphthalene;(II) separating the product obtained in step (I) into naphthalene, monoalkylnaphthalene, dialkylnaphthalene and other components;(III) alkylating the monoalkylnaphthalene fraction from step (II) with an alkylating agent to produce dialkylnaphthalene; and(IV) separating 2,6-dialkylnaphthalene from the dialkylnaphthalene fraction in step (II),wherein at least step (I) or step (III) is conducted in the presence of a catalyst having a composition comprising a synthetic zeolite having an X-ray diffraction pattern with an interplanar d-spacing (.ANG.)______________________________________ 12.36 .+-. 0.4 11.03 .+-. 0.2 8.83 .+-. 0.14 6.18 .+-. 0.12 6.00 .+-. 0.10 4.06 .+-. 0.07 3.91 .+-. 0.07 3.42 .+-. 0.06.

Abstract: A process for preparing organic carbonates, such as dimethyl carbonate, without the use of phosgene and with a high yield and selectivity to the desired carbonate, by reacting a formaldehyde-acetal with a source of oxygen, in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A variable-buoyancy marine riser and a method for providing and adjusting the buoyancy for such a riser. The riser is comprised of a main riser conduit on which a plurality of cans are affixed. A slurry of buoyant material, e.g. small, hollow spheres, is pumped into the cans to displace the seawater therein and give buoyancy to the riser. When it is desired to reduce the buoyancy of the riser, the spheres are removed by merely opening the cans and allowing the surrounding seawater to displace the spheres from the cans.

Abstract: A low emission diesel fuel suitable for use in underground diesel-engined mining equipment comprises a straight run distillate fuel having an end point not greater than 300.degree. C. (about 660.degree. F.), a cetane number in the range of 55 to 60 a specific gravity not greater than 0.83 a sulfur content not greater than 0.1 wt percent and an aromatics content of 18 to 30 wt. percent. The T.sub.90 of the fuels is typically in the range of 255.degree. to 270.degree. C. (about 490.degree. F. to 525.degree. F.), with an initial boiling points typically in the range of 170.degree. to 190.degree. C. (about 340.degree. to 374.degree. F.). Ten percent points (T.sub.10) are typically in the range from about 200.degree. to 220.degree. C. (about 390.degree. to 430.degree. F.). The API gravity of the fuel is at least 38 and is typically in the range of 38 to 42 and the specific gravity is typically in the range of 0.82 to 0.83.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons. This method includes synthesizing ammonia from natural gas and nitrogen in the presence of a source of hydrogen. The ammonia is converted to nitrous oxide in the presence of a source of oxygen. Methane is coupled in the presence of the nitrous oxide to provide higher hydrocarbons. The invention also discloses a method of balancing reaction heat requirements in a process for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions for homopolymerization and copolymerization of ethylene which comprise two transition metal compounds, one of them a cyclopentadienyl complex of a transition metal and another a non-metallocene derivative of a transition metal are described. The catalysts are activated by alkylalumoxanes that are soluble in non-aromatic hydrocarbons. Bimetallic catalysts of this invention are suitable for the manufacture of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers with broad bimodal molecular weight distributions. The alkyl alumoxanes have at least one [AR(R)--O--] repeating group in which R is an alkyl group of at least two carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for catalytically cracking a heavy feed in an FCC unit, with large amounts of shape selective cracking additive is disclosed. The catalyst inventory preferably contains at least 10 wt % additive, of 12-40% ZSM-5 on an amorphous support, equivalent to more than 3.0 wt % ZSM-5 crystal circulating with equilibrium catalyst. Large yields of light olefins are produced, without excessive production of aromatics, or loss of gasoline yield. Operating with large amounts of additives allows yields of butadiene and/or methane to be suppressed, and production of a cracked gasoline fraction with an unusually low olefin content, and high ratio of cyclic unsaturates to normal unsaturates.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the loss of xylenes in an ethylbenzene conversion/isomerization process by adding toluene to the feedstock. The concentration of toluene in the feedstock is increased by co-feeding toluene or by recycling toluene separated from the ethylbenzene conversion reactor effluent. The increased toluene concentration reduces the loss of xylenes during the ethylbenzene conversion reaction and under preferred operating conditions increases the amount of xylenes in the product.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing pyridine and/or alkylpyridine compounds comprising reacting a feedstream of ammonia and at least one C.sub.1-5 carbonyl reactant under conversion conditions and in the presence of a phosphorus-modified molecular sieve containing catalyst to produce a product stream having a pyridine and/or a pyridine based compound selected from alkylpyridines or polyalkylpyridines. The catalyst has improved attrition resistance without affecting catalyst activity or selectivity.

Abstract: A process is described for forming a catalyst precursor, for copolymerizing ethylene and an alpha-olefin of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, by preparing a contact mixture of an inert solvent, dibutylmagnesium and tetraalkyl orthosilicate which is free of precipitate and adding silica to the contact mixture to form a slurry to form a supported catalyst precursor. Titanium tetrachloride is then incorporated into the support in a specific ratio to the magnesium and silane components. Activation of this catalyst precursor with a trialkylaluminum compound results in a catalyst system which is effective for the production of ethylene copolymers.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrocracking process using a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation component, such as a noble metal, and an acidic solid component comprising a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIB metal. An example of this catalyst is zirconia, modified with tungstate and platinum. This catalyst is used to selectively hydrocrack naphtha range hydrocarbons to reduce the endpoint of reformulated gasolines.

Abstract: A lubricant, fuel or other composition comprising an organo-substituted benzophenone in which the latter compound acts as a lubricant base stock, a blend stock, an additive solubility enhancer and/or a deposit reducing agent, and is defined as having at least one ring carbon atom of its benzophenone moiety bonded to an organo radical which is a hydrocarbyl radical containing 1 to about 60 carbon atoms, or such a hydrocarbyl radical modified to contain additional oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulfur. Compositions containing such an organo-substituted benzophenone as the base fluid possess excellent resistance to deposition under severe conditions as well as outstanding thermal and oxidative stabilities.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst comprising ZSM-5, rhenium which is impregnated onto the catalyst, and a selectivating agent. The selectivating agent may be coke and/or a siliceous material. The catalyst is particularly useful for catalyzing toluene disproportionation reactions. Methods for making this catalyst and processes for using this catalyst in toluene disproportionation are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a process for shape selective xylene disproportionation that involves contacting a feedstream which includes xylene under conversion conditions, with a molecular sieve catalyst that has been surface modified. The xylene disproportionation process has a selectivity for pseudocumene of over 85%.

Abstract: An improved process for production of diisopropyl ether by conversion of hydrocarbon feedstock containing propene, propane and C.sub.2 -- light gas components. The overall process steps include, (optionally) prefractionating fresh feedstock containing propene, propane and C.sub.2 -- light gas components to provide a reactor feedstream rich in propene; contacting the feedstock and water in a catalytic reactor with acidic catalyst under olefin hydration and etherification conditions; and recovering from the catalytic reactor a liquid reactor effluent stream containing diisopropyl ether, isopropanol, water, unreacted propene, propane, oligomer and C.sub.2 -- light gas components. DIPE product containing C.sub.6 + oligomer is recovered by separating the liquid effluent stream in a stripper column, and extracting the DIPE-rich liquid with water. An improved separation process is employed for removing water to provide DIPE liquid product substantially free of water.

Abstract: It is disclosed that succinic acid and its derivatives that contain a branched aliphatic group on the 2 or alpha position of succinic acid form surfactants that exhibit a high order of or bioresistance to bacteriological degradation. Further, it has been discovered that these novel surfactants can be employed to prepare novel oil-in-water emulsions with lube oils such as mineral oil that are effective as cutting fluids for machining operations but provide an improved resistance to biodegradation to the cutting oil so formulated, without resorting to the inclusion of conventional biocides in the formulation. It has also been discovered that the bioresistance of the cutting fluid emulsion formulation can be further enhanced by using a branched aliphatic hydrocarbon oligomer or polymer as the lubricative component in the formulation. Cutting fluid emulsions so formulated are effective fluids in prolonging tool life and facilitating machining operations.

Abstract: A multi layer film having enhanced barrier properties against transmission of oxygen and water vapor is provided. The multi layer film includes a polypropylene base layer, with a high density polyethylene layer on at least one surface of the polypropylene base layer. The polyethylene layer includes a surface which has been subjected to plasma treatment with a hydroxyl-donating material such as a methanol. The film further includes a metal layer deposited on the plasma treated surface, such as a layer of vacuum deposited aluminum. Multi layer films according to the present invention are particularly useful as packaging films for food products.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing a high Viscosity Index lubricant having a VI of at least 125 from a waxy hydrocarbon feed having a wax content of at least 40 wt %. The process comprises catalytically dewaxing waxy paraffins present in the feed by isomerization in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a low acidity large pore zeolite isomerization catalyst. This catalyst has a ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, as synthesized, of at least 50:1, and an alpha value of not greater than 20, wherein the catalyst is prepared in the absence of boron. The catalyst further comprises a noble metal hydrogenation component. The feed may be hydrocracked prior to dewaxing with the large pore zeolite. The feed may be solvent dewaxed prior to isomerization. The effluent of the isomerization step may also be further dewaxed by either solvent or catalytic means in order to achieve target pour point.

Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of xylene isomerization by using a two stage isomerization process. In the first stage of the process, a C.sub.9.sup.+ aromatics feedstock is subjected to ethylbenzene conversion and xylene isomerization. Non-C.sub.8 aromatics are removed from the effluent, which is then processed in a second stage of the process to remove para-xylene and isomerize the para-xylene depleted effluent. The effluent from the second stage isomerization unit is then recycled into the inlet of the second stage of the process and a slip stream from the para-xylene separator is recycled to the feedstock and to the effluent of the ethylbenzene conversion unit. In this way, the production of para-xylene is maximized. In a preferred embodiment, toluene is co-fed into the feedstock to minimize the loss of xylenes during the ethylbenzene conversion reaction.

Abstract: A low emission diesel fuel suitable for use in underground diesel-engined mining equipment comprises a straight run distillate fuel having an end point not greater than 300.degree. C. (about 660.degree. F.), a cetane number in the range of 55 to 60 a specific gravity not greater than 0.83 a sulfur content not greater than 0.1 wt percent and an aromatics content of 18 to 30 wt. percent. The T.sub.90 of the fuels is typically in the range of 255.degree. to 270.degree. C. (about 490.degree. F. to 525.degree. F.), with an initial boiling points typically in the range of 170.degree. to 190.degree. C. (about 340.degree. to 374.degree. F). Ten percent points (T.sub.10) are typically in the range from about 200.degree. to 220.degree. C. (about 390.degree. to 430.degree. F.). The API gravity of the fuel is at least 38 and is typically in the range of 38 to 42 and the specific gravity is typically in the range of 0.82 to 0.83.