Abstract: Aromatic hydrocarbons are selectively alkylated using an alkylating mixture containing both ethylene and propylene. By employing a zeolite ZSM-12 based alkylation catalyst, essentially only the propylene from the olefin-containing alkylation mixture will react with the aromatic hydrocarbon to thereby form both an alkylaromatic product enriched in propylated alkylaromatic and a propylene-free residual olefin-containing mixture enriched in the unreacted ethylene.

Abstract: This specification discloses a technique of providing a wellbore that is extended along a track from the surface of the earth and penetrates and passes through a subsurface mineral-bearing formation a plurality of times. The wellbore is initially extended from the surface of the earth into the earth's crust in essentially a vertical direction and then is deviated toward the horizontal and extended to pass through the subsurface mineral-bearing formation from top to bottom at an oblique angle. The wellbore is then further deviated and extended along a track in an upwardly direction such that it again penetrates and passes through the subsurface mineral-bearing formation, this time from bottom to top. The wellbore may then again be deviated and extended along a downward track to again penetrate the formation from the top.

Abstract: Circumferential and longitudinal strain measurements are carried out on a rock material under oscillatory loading conditions at seismic frequencies. The phase angle between each of these strains and the oscillatory driving force is determined by synchronous and quadrature detection.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for biaxial orientation of precrystalline polyacrylonitrile polymer sheet consisting essentially of a machine direction orientor which stretches the sheet in the machine direction a transverse direction orientor which stretches the sheet in the direction 90.degree. to the machine direction, both processes of which may be completed rapidly in a heated essentially aqueous environment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for structuring a plurality of supply and control conduits having a length substantially greater than its cross sectional width wherein the control conduits for each supply conduit are segregated and covered. The segregated and covered control conduits are bundled in a generally annular shape and the supply conduits are placed around the control conduits in a generally circular fashion. The entire bundle is then covered to retain its circular shape by periodically fastening the resultant bundle circumferentially or by extruding a covering over its entire length.

Abstract: A method of pushing pipe (e.g., casing) into a highly deviated borehole. The lower end of the pipe is plugged and the lower portion of the pipe string is filled with fluids (e.g., compressed gases, petroleum products, water, etc.) which have a lower density than that of the borehole fluid. This creates a buoyancy effect for the pipe in the deviated portion of the borehole which aids in keeping the pipe from contacting the lower side of the deviated hole. The pipe can be plugged or capped above the lightened section and filled with heavier fluid to aid in forcing the pipe downward into position. The plugs and caps are then removed, e.g., drilled out, when the pipe is ready for use. The fluids are thereby released into the mud slurry.

Abstract: In the drilling of a well, buckling of a drill string is prevented by determining the buoyed weight, sliding friction, and external forces applied to the segments of a drill string and comparing the resultant axial force on each segment with a buckling threshold to indicate when the resultant axial force exceeds the threshold. The azimuth and inclination of segments of the drill string are measured. The forces on the drill string are resolved into the axial and normal components applied to the next shallower segment. From these, the forces applied to each segment are determined.

Abstract: A deviated borehole is drilled with a rotary drilling technique in which the drill string is vibrated at a suitable frequency and amplitude to reduce the friction of the drill string against the lower side of the borehole and to promote the free movement of the drill string therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the spacing and size of air guns in a tuned air gun array. Volume ratios are calculated based upon a predetermined maximum volume for any individual air gun. The volumes are cross-referenced to spacings for optimum air gun interaction. The resulting air gun array operates as a broadband high-energy point source.

Abstract: In the production or stimulation of a well, the length change of a string of tubing caused by temperature and pressure is determined for an inclined well. The weight of each section of the tubing is resolved into the axial component applied to the next successive section. For each of the successive sections the buckling force is determined from the actual force and the axial component of weight. This buckling force is compared to a threshold to determine if buckling occurs. The length change of the tubing between the initial condition and the condition of fluid flow in the tubing caused by the pressure and temperature of the fluid and caused by buckling if it is present is determined. An output indicates the change in length of the tubing and the stress applied to the tubing.

Abstract: A radioactive medium simulates a desired subsurface formation condition for the testing and calibration of radioactive well logging tools. The medium simulates a state of radioactive equilibrium in which the decay products of the parent isotope decay at a desired rate to that at which they are produced within the medium.

Abstract: A two-stage in situ uranium leaching process is described wherein H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 /oxidant is used as the principal leaching solution. Prior to leaching, the formation is treated with a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid, carbonic acid, or other acid (without oxidant) capable of removing the most accessible portions of CaCO.sub.3. The pretreatment improves the permeability of the formation and precludes plugging with CaSO.sub.4. The invention is particularly advantageous when applied to ores which cannot readily be leached with alkaline solutions.

Abstract: Certain water-soluble substituted phenol formaldehyde type copolymers retain their viscosities in high brine environments and are highly useful as surfactant-mobility control agents in oil recovery processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying ZSM-5 type zeolite catalysts with sulfur-based treating agents in order to enhance the para-selective properties of such catalysts for the conversion of aromatic materials to dialkyl-substituted benzene compounds. Sulfur-based treating agents include hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. Catalyst compositions so treated can be used in alkylation, transalkylation or disproportionation processes to provide product mixtures having exceptionally high concentrations of the para-dialkylbenzene isomer.

Abstract: Blends of a preformed poly(methyl ethenyl benzene) polymer or copolymer derived from an isomers of methyl ethenyl benzenes in which 1-methyl-4-ethenyl benzene is the predominant isomers, and up to about 10 weight percent of mineral oil are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying ZSM-5 type zeolite catalysts with halogen-based treating agents in order to enhance the para-selective properties of such catalysts for the conversion of aromatic materials to dialkyl-substituted benzene compounds. Halogen-based treating agents include HCl, HBr, Cl.sub.2, Br.sub.2, CCl.sub.4, GeCl.sub.4 and mixtures thereof. Catalyst compositions so treated can be used in alkylation, transalkylation or disproportionation processes to provide product mixtures having exceptionally high concentrations of the para-dialkylbenzene isomer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the uninterrupted winding of continuously-fed malleable sheet material, such as plastic, paper, and textiles, which includes a roll feed mechanism, a first and second winding station, a sheet directing main frame which may be biased in the direction of either winding station so as to press the sheet onto the take up spindle located at the particular station, a sheet transfer means and an external control connected thereto in order to selectively transfer the continuously-feeding sheet from a full spindle to an empty spindle mounted at one of the winding stations.

Abstract: A new porous zeolite, a method of making same and the use thereof in catalytic conversion of organic compounds. The new product has a composition, expressed in terms of moles of anhydrous oxides per 100 moles of silica as follows:(0-2.5)M.sub.2/n O:(0- 2.5)Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :(100)SiO.sub.2wherein M is at least one cation having a valence n and wherein the zeolite is characterized by the distinctive X-ray powder diffraction pattern as shown in Table 1 herein. The new zeolite is prepared from a reaction mixture comprising a source of silica, a source of organic compounds of Group VB, alkali metal cations, water and with or without a source of alumina.

Abstract: A zeolite catalyst composition suitable for para-selective conversion of substituted aromatic compounds, e.g., to dialkylbenzene compounds rich in the 1,4-dialkylbenzene isomer. Such a composition comprises a zeolite catalyst having a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index of about 1-12, and a minor amount, e.g., at least 0.25 weight percent of one or more of the alkaline-earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba), and optionally phosphorus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for decreasing catalyst coking and extending the usable catalyst life by pre-treatment of the catalyst with steam and/or a phosphorus-containing compound. Catalysts benefiting from such pre-treatment comprise crystalline zeolites characterized by a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index, as herein defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12.