Abstract: A laundry basket and a handle assembly therefor are disclosed. The laundry basket includes a walled container including a peripheral rim and a hand opening adjacent the rim. A handle extends about the rim and through the hand opening. The handle is preferably constructed from two pieces which are snapped together above and below the rim. Each piece includes a curved exterior surface to facilitate lifting and carrying the basket. The rim of the basket preferably includes an opening above the hand opening to facilitate the interlocking of the upper and lower pieces forming the handle.

Abstract: A gel-forming composition capable of plugging highly permeable zones in a subterranean formation. The composition comprises water, a viscosifying amount of a water-dispersible polyvinyl amine copolymer and a crosslinking agent which is a mixture of an aldehyde and a phenolic component in an amount effective to cause gelation of the aqueous solution of the copolymer. The resultant gel is exceptionally thermally stable and, therefore, can be used as an effective profile control agent in all enhanced oil recovery operations, including steam flooding.

Abstract: The thermal and oxidative stability of HVI-PAO olefin oligomers is improved by reaction of the oligomerization mixture containing the olefin oligomer, dimer and isomerized but unoligomerized olefin with an aromatic compound such as toluene, xylene or naphthalene. The reaction is carried out in the presence of an acidic catalyst, which may be heterogeneous solid catalyst such as an acidic clay or a crystalline zeolite such as MCM-22, a homogeneous Friedel-Crafts catalyst such as AlCl.sub.3, BF.sub.3 or their complexes or a supported catalyst such as AlCl.sub.3 on graphite or silica. The reaction improves the yield and thermal stability of the lube range products. The olefinic oligomer mixture which is reacted with the aromatic compound is prepared from 1-alkene oligomerization in contact with a reduced metal oxide, preferably reduced chromium oxide, catalyst on support such as silica.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of tertiary alkyl ethers wherein linear olefins, particularly n-butene, are isomerized in the vapor phase at high temperature in contact with shape selective metallosilicate catalyst to produce iso-olefin vapor, particularly isobutene. The vaporous iso-butene is then etherified with alkanol to provide alkyl tert-alkyl ether such as MTBE. Unreacted iso-olefin and/or linear olefin and product ether are separated by fractionation and unreacted olefin components recycled. Fractionation of the vapor phase etherification product is carried out by using the fresh liquid linear olefin feedstream as a reflux stream to the fractionator.

Abstract: A process for the sorption of alcohols by using zeolite Beta as a sorbent. The process is useful for separating alcohols, such as isopropanol and phenol, from an aqueous solution. the process is also useful for separating alcohols from an alcohol-containing vapor stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a change in the amount of liquid in a storage tank. The apparatus comprises a vertical upright standpipe for filling with a liquid to a level that generates a hydrostatic head pressure substantially equivalent to that exerted by the liquid in the storage tank; a sensor for sensing hydrostatic head pressure differential between the liquid in the storage tank and the liquid in the standpipe; a connector for connecting the standpipe to the pressure differential sensor, the standpipe connector being substantially horizontally disposed to the standpipe; and a connector for connecting the storage tank to the pressure differential sensor, the storage tank connector being substantially horizontally disposed to the storage wherein the standpipe connector and the tank connector are in substantial axial alignment with each other. Any change in the liquid pressure in the tank as a result of leakage from the tank will change the differential pressure measured by the pressure transducer.

Abstract: Thioester derived hindered phenols & thioester derived arylamines are effective antioxidant and antiwear additives for lubricants and fuels.

Abstract: An improved tool for controlling the rate of flow of cement into a well to control the consolidation of a formation is disclosed. The tool comprises a housing, an actuator and a valve member, motion of which is controlled by axial motion of the actuator within the housing. In the preferred embodiment, the valve member includes a fixed size choke orifice which controls the flow of cement into the formation. The tool is operated by lowering it into a well with the valve open, fixing the housing to the casing of the well, pumping cement below the valve, lowering the actuator with respect to the housing to close the valve, and pressurizing the well to force the cement into the formation at a rate controlled by the size of the choke orifice.

Abstract: Aromatic compounds are alkylated with C.sub.20 -C.sub.1300 olefinic oligomers using an acidic alkylation catalyst to produce alkylated aromatic products, usually alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The olefinic oligomers used as alkylating agents are prepared from 1-alkene oligomerization in contact with reduced metal oxide catalyst, preferably reduced chromium oxide on a silica support. The alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons retain the unique features of the alkylating olefinic oligomer and exhibit high viscosity index and low pour point. If the alkylation is carried out under certain combinations of conditions, especially using a Lewis acid catalysts such as aluminum trichloride and at higher temperatures, the alkyl portion of the product will undergo isomerization. The alkylaromatic compositions show improved thermal stability and are useful as lubricant basestocks and additives for improved antiwear properties, antioxidant and other properties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag having a zipper that is operated by a slider is provided with end stops that are integral with the ends of the zipper and prevent the slider from going off past the end of the zipper and coming off the bag. There is also disclosed a method for forming these end stops by ultrasonically smashing the ends of the zipper.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural gas condensate having a reduced amount of mercury from a mercury-containing natural gas wellstream, wherein the wellstream is first separated into gaseous and liquid fractions. The treatment of the gaseous fraction includes treatment with a carbonate solution which, upon regeneration, yields an acid gas which is mixed with the liquid fraction. The mixture is then separated from gaseous components and filtered.

Abstract: The reaction product of certain epoxy resins and secondary amines improve the low-temperature properties of distillate fuels.

Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking process using a high efficiency regenerator comprising a coke combustor, a dilute phase transport riser, and a second fluidized bed with catalyst recirculation to the coke combustor, is operated to reduce NO.sub.x emissions in the regenerator flue gas. The amount of catalyst recirculation from the second fluidized bed to the coke combustor or combustion air addition or preferably both are adjusted based on continuous or periodic measurement of a process parameter of the FCC regenerator which directly or indirectly measures the NO.sub.x content of regenerator flue gas. Operation with restricted air or catalyst recirculation degrades coke combustor operation, shifts some regeneration to downstream portions of the regenerator, and reduces NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: Methanol or other alcohol is converted to high octane gasoline components in an integrated apparatus wherein crude aqueous alcohol feedstock is extracted with a liquid extractant stream containing C.sub.4 + iso-olefin and reacted to form tertiary-alkyl ethers, such as MTBE. The aqueous raffinate is converted to olefinic hydrocarbons in a MTO catalytic reactor. Propene from the MTO reaction is reacted with water to produce di-isopropyl ether, which may be blended with MTBE and C.sub.6 +MTO hydrocarbons to produce high octane gasoline. Isobutylene and isoamylenes from the MTO reaction can be recovered and recycled as a liquid extractant stream.

Abstract: Heavy oils are simultaneously subjected to hydrocracking and dewaxing using a catalyst based on zeolite beta together with a hydrogenation component. The process is able to effect a bulk conversion of the oil while, at the same time, yielding a low pour point product.

Abstract: A tool for the removal of soft packing material from fluidic equipment. The packing removal tool of the present invention comprises a shaft having first and second ends, the first end terminating in a substantially pointed tip, at least one barbed lever, pivotally mounted to said first end of said shaft and means for urging said barbed lever outward from said shaft.

Abstract: A fluidized catalytic cracking process and apparatus operates with a two stage hot stripper between the reactor and catalyst regenerator. Addition of hot, regenerated catalyst to spent catalyst from the reactor heats the spent catalyst in the first stripping stage, which preferably uses steam stripping gas. The second stage of stripping occurs about a heat removal stab-in heat exchanger tube bundle, which removes heat from the catalyst during the second stage of stripping. Steam or flue gas may be used in the second stripping stage to fluidize catalyst, improve heat transfer and simultaneously strip the catalyst.

Abstract: A layered product comprises a layered metal oxide and pillars of an oxide of at least one element selected from Groups IB, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIA, VIIA and VIIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements separating the layers of the metal oxide. Each layer of the metal oxide has the general formula[M.sub.x .quadrature..sub.y Z.sub.2-(x+y) O.sub.4 ].sup.q-wherein M is at least one metal of valence n wherein n is an integer between 0 and 7, .quadrature. represents a vacancy site, Z is a tetravalent metal, and whereinq=4y-x(n-4)O<x+y.sup.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for achieving turbulent or fast fluidized bed regeneration of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator and a stripped catalyst standpipe within the regenerator. A closed coke combustor vessel is added to the existing regenerator vessel, and spent catalyst is discharged into the coke combustor and regenerated in a turbulent or fast fluidized bed, and discharged up into a dilute phase transport which preferably encompasses, and is in a countercurrent heat exchange relationship with, the spent catalyst standpipe. Regenerated catalyst is discharged from the dilute phase transport riser, and collected in the bubbling dense bed surrounding the coke combustor. Catalyst may be recycled from the dense bed to the coke combustor for direct contact heat exchange. Catalyst coolers may be used on catalyst recycle lines to the coke combustor, or on the line returning regenerated catalyst to the cracking reactor.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the process comprises substantially eliminating distributor plate fouling in fluid bed reactor alpha olefin polymerizations, by removing oligomers from the recycle feeds to the fluid bed reactor. In accordance with the invention, the process comprises substantially eliminating gel production in the low pressure production of polymers and copolymers of ethylene. Unexpectedly, the process of the invention, which substantially eliminates distributor plate fouling also results in polymer products which are substantially free of gels.