Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of oil from oil-bearing earth formations wherein H.sub.2 S from sour wellhead gas is oxidized to SO.sub.3 which in turn is reacted with a petroleum hydrocarbon mixture to produce a petroleum sulfonate. The petroleum sulfonate is incorporated into an oil recovery enhancing fluid and introduced through an injection well into an oil-bearing earth formation to displace oil toward a production well.

Abstract: Aromatic hydrocarbons are separated from a mixture thereof with paraffinic hydrocarbons by solvent extraction with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone containing a minor amount of water at specified elevated temperatures and pressures. Temperature variations within the specified range have little effect on the loading capacity and selectivity of the solvent thus greatly simplifying process control.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyltoluene, comprising the steps of: producing a crude vinyltoluene product by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethyltoluene; removing compounds from the crude vinyltoluene product which have a higher molecular weight than vinyltoluene to form a prepurified crude vinyltoluene product; and fractionally distilling the prepurified crude vinyltoluene product in a distillation apparatus to recover purified vinyltoluene. The higher molecular weight compounds removed are compounds which foster the conversion of vinyltoluene into cross-linked polymer. The compounds removed preferably have more than 11 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the step of removing higher molecular weight compounds comprises condensing a vaporous crude vinyltoluene product to form a crude vinyltoluene solution, and subjecting the crude vinyltoluene solution to flash distillation to form a vaporous prepurified crude vinyltoluene product.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of undesired polymer accumulations during distillative purification of vinylaromatic monomers such as styrene, alpha-alkylstyrene, vinyltoluene, divinylbenzene or the like comprising distilling the vinylaromatic monomer in the presence of a cupreous material such as metallic copper or a copper alloy, and apparatus for carrying out the method in which at least a portion of the interior of a distillation column used to purify vinylaromatic monomer, particularly in areas where there is little vapor movement, is provided with a surface layer or coating of cupreous material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for alkylating aromatic compounds with silicalite alkylation catalysts in the presence of an effective amount of water which extends the cycle length of the reaction by decreasing the rate of activity loss of the catalyst and decreases the production of unwanted by-products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting polymerization of vinylaromatic compounds during distillative purification wherein downcomers and tray bottoms of the distillation column exposed to high concentrations of liquid monomer condensate and low vapor velocities are coated with a non-wetting fluorocarbon polymer.

Abstract: A process for distilling vinyltoluene comprising subjecting vinyltoluene to distillation conditions in the presence of a synergistic polymerization inhibiting mixture of N-nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPA) and dinitro-para-cresol (DNPC). Preferably from about 100 to about 300 ppm by weight NDPA and about 300 to about 700 ppm by weight DNPC are dissolved in the crude vinyltoluene and the resulting solution is vacuum distilled.

Abstract: A process for selectively producing liquid polyisobutene contacting a feed stream containing mixed butenes with a dry chlorinated alumina catalyst at a temperature of from about -15.degree. to about 50.degree. C. wherein the chlorinated alumina contains from about 2 to 20% by weight of chlorine and the alumina has a purity of at least 99% and a surface area greater than 150 m.sup.2 /g with at least 10% of the pores having a mean diameter larger than 200A and recovering polyisobutenes having a molecular weight between about 280 and 4000.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds and a new polymerization inhibitor therefor. The process comprises subjecting a vinyl aromatic compound to elevated temperatures in a distillation system in the presence of a new polymerization inhibitor comprising 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol. Also disclosed is a distillation method and apparatus for use with this inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds and a new polymerization inhibitor therefor. The process comprises subjecting a vinyl aromatic compound to elevated temperatures in a distillation system in the presence of a new polymerization inhibitor comprising 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol. Also disclosed is a distillation method and apparatus for use with this inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing nitro phenols from aqueous effluent streams comprising adding chlorine dioxide to the effluent stream in an amount sufficient to substantially degrade the nitro phenolic contaminant. The process of the instant invention is particularly suitable for removing dinitro cresols from the oily effluent streams of petrochemical operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for the distillation of styrene from hydrocarbon feedstock incorporating a system for injection of gaseous polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane from styrene and formaldehyde using a simplified method for working up the reaction mixture is disclosed, which comprises reacting styrene with an aqueous formaldehyde solution in the presence of an acidic catalyst at elevated temperatures, separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase and washing the latter with an alkaline aqueous solution to obtain a 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-containing product from which pure 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane can easily be recovered, e.g., by means of distillation. The process can be further improved by adding a polymerization-inhibitor to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing the polymerization of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound during distillation at elevated temperatures within a distillation apparatus which is subject to an emergency condition, such as a power outage. This method comprises force feeding a supplemental polymerization inhibitor having a high solubility in the vinyl aromatic compound, and a long duration of efficiency, into each of the distillation vessels of a conventional distillation apparatus in an amount sufficient to prevent polymerization therein. In the preferred embodiment the supplemental polymerization inhibitor comprises 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol and meta-nitro-para-cresol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds with polymerization inhibitors of low volatility, particularly a phenothiazine (PZ)-tertiarybutylcatechol (TBC) polymerization inhibitor combination. The method comprises introducing a feed of impure vinyl aromatic compound into a typical distillation train comprising a first fractionation column, a recycle column, and a finishing column; introducing as a separate stream into the upper portion of said recycle column and into said first fractionation column an effective amount of the PZ-TBC inhibitor in a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon diluent; and then distilling the vinyl aromatic compound in the presence of oxygen to recover an overhead product of high purity vinyl aromatic compound and a bottoms fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises subjecting such compounds to distillation conditions in the presence of an effective amount of a polymerization inhibitor selected from the group consisting of 3-nitro-2, 5-cresotic acid and 3-nitro-2, 5-cresotaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises subjecting such compounds to distillation conditions in the presence of an effective amount of a 4-halo-3,5-dinitrotoluene as a polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises subjecting such compounds to distillation conditions in the presence of an effective amount of a halo-6-nitro-p-cresol as a polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds and a new polymerization inhibitor therefor. The process comprises subjecting a vinyl aromatic compound to elevated temperatures in a distillation system in the presence of a new polymerization inhibitor comprising 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol.

Abstract: A composition of matter having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid radicals, --OH or --NH.sub.2.