Abstract: A method for increasing the pore volume of alumina powder produced by spray drying alumina slurries by heating the slurry to a temperature near the boiling point of water and a pressure up to the critical point of water then introducing the slurry to a spray drying chamber through a small orifice, thereby creating a backpressure in excess of slurry vapor pressure and up to the critical point of water.

Abstract: A catalyst having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is zero or an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and wherein P is a polystyrene polymer backbone, where the 6-member ring is part of the polymer. The catalyst is useful for converting olefins to aldehydes in high yield under reaction temperatures of from about 90.degree. to 140.degree. C. and pressures of about 300 to about 5000 psig in the presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide yielding gases, and preferably polymer swelling solvents such as benzene, THF and toluene. The catalyst is also useful in hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: Cresylic acid (phenol or alkylated phenols) is used to promote barium oxide or hydroxide which is used as an ethoxylation catalyst for the reaction of ethylene oxide and alkanols of all classes. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 150.degree. to about 200.degree. C. to yield the ethoxylated product. The product obtained has a very narrow high adduct distribution with low levels of by-products and unreacted free alcohols. Calcium and magnesium oxides show negligible catalytic effect.

Abstract: A method for the insertion of shear degradable aqueous polymer solutions in a polymer thickened flood wherein a series of pumps are used in a multi-branch system, while reducing shear degradation while maintaining pressure and rate control within any branch of said multibranch system comprising utilizing hydraulic drivers for the pumps wherein the hydraulic power source for the drivers is controlled (a) by a pressure sensing loop such that a selected preset pressure will not be exceeded by any branch of the injection system, and (b) by a rate proportioning control loop whereby the injection rate in the various branches of the multi-branch system will be maintained in a given proportion to one another regardless of rate changes in a designated master branch or in the total injection stream.

Abstract: Phenol-formaldehyde resoles and novalacs are cured at temperatures of from about 0.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and at pressures ranging from about atmospheric pressure to about 5 atmospheres to produce highly cross-linked resins when divinylbenzene is used as a cross-linking agent together with a minor amount of an acidic catalyst.

Abstract: Alumina spheres having high crush strength are produced by hydrogelling low viscosity acidified alumina slurries in a surfactant-containing ammonia solution, said slurries being inserted into the ammonia solution dropwise.

Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure P --M Cl.sub.3 wherein M is rhodium or iridium and P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer has been found to be an effective heterogeneous hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and H.sub.2 /CO gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for most primary and internal olefins, producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes. When the reactor gas is altered to hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is oxygen stable, heterogeneous, and easily recovered.

Abstract: Alumina slurries (suspensions) can be stabilized against viscosity increases by treating with water which has been heated to temperatures of from about 40.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., then cooling, decanting the water, and recovering a wet cake. Water is then added to the recovered wet cake alumina to obtain a slurry with a desired alumina content and CO.sub.2 is sparged through the finished slurry. Optionally, hot water saturated with carbon dioxide can be used for the treatment, to extend the stability of the slurry. Peptizing agents can be used as usual.

Abstract: Catalysts of the general structure ##STR1## have been found to be effective heterogeneous hydroformylation catalysts at temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H.sub.2 /CO) gas pressures of from about 100 to about 3500 psig for both primary and internal olefins. The process produces an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes. At the completion of the hydroformylation reaction, the reactor gas can be altered to essentially pure hydrogen and the catalyst then further converts aldehyde formed by the hydroformylation reaction to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The copolymer support acts as a ligand and allows the catalyst to be easily recovered.

Abstract: Polybutene-1 in type II form can be accelerated in a phase transformation to the stable polybutene-1 type I form by applying a volatile solvent such as n-hexane and allowing the solvent to evaporate. The phase transformation can be accelerated by additional treatment with heat below the melt temperature of about 90.degree. C. and/or ultrasonic sound.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbonaceous liquids and gases from subterranean kerogen-containing oil shale formations comprising (a) penetrating the oil shale deposits with at least two well bores; (b) fracturing the oil shale deposits in a lower vertical portion thereof; (c) igniting the hydrocarbonaceous deposit; (d) introducing through the first well bore a free oxygen-containing gas to the ignited point of the oil shale deposit to effect thermal decomposition of the hydrocarbonaceous material therein and to propagate a combustion zone through the fractured communication area and the second well bore, thereby forming a region of combusted shale between the first well bore and the second well bore; (e) allowing the combustion to continue until a sufficient volume of combusted shale has been formed; (f) then jetting an aqueous liquid into and through the combusted shale zone to remove the mineral residue remaining after combustion; (g) positioning conventional explosives in the oil shale deposit in the vicinit

Abstract: Alumina slurries are stabilized to prevent thickening and gelling by digesting dried alumina powder in hot water for a time sufficient to stabilize the alumina. The digested alumina is then recovered and dispersed in water containing a small amount of peptizing agent. The slurries so prepared have a low rate of thickening and gelling time is greatly extended.

Abstract: Rhodium (I) and Iridium compounds covalently bound directly to inorganic oxide polymers such as silica gel, alumina, silica-titania, aluminosilicates and open-lattice clays are air-stable and have high hydroformylation activity converting all classes of olefins to aldehydes under hydrogen/carbon monoxide atmospheres at pressures of from about 100 to 1500 psig and about 90.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The catalysts have the structureP .sub.(.tbd.) A--O--M.rarw.(CO).sub.nwherein A is silica, titanium alumina, M is rhodium or iridium, n is 2 or 3, respectively, and P is an inorganic oxide polymer. The catalyst is also effective to hydrogenate the resulting aldehyde to alcohols under the same conditions and a hydrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: Polymer-bound bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium or iridium carbonyl halide can be activated for use as a hydroformylation catalyst by treatment with a non-complexing base, particularly NaBPh.sub.4 (where Ph=phenyl or C.sub.6 H.sub.5 moiety) in a suitable polar solvent for an appropriate period of time. Such treated compounds are immediately active as hydroformylation catalysts under reaction conditions of about 50 to about 3500 psig of a hydrogen-carbon monoxide gas mixture and about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. temperature.

Abstract: A catalyst having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is zero or an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and wherein P is a polystyrene polymer backbone, where the 6-member ring is part of the polymer. The catalyst is useful for converting olefins to aldehydes in high yield under reaction temperatures of from about 90.degree. to 140.degree. C. and pressures of about 300 to about 5000 psig in the presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide yielding gases, and preferably polymer swelling solvents such as benzene, THF and toluene. The catalyst is also useful in hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: Crack initiation in metallic structural members subject to cyclic loading is predicted by sensing metallurgical changes taking place as a result of the cyclic loading. Fatigue loading produces a cycle comprising a condition described as fatigue relaxation followed by fatigue intensification. By monitoring this cycle, measured strain for a known applied load will increase or decrease. By monitoring the change in strain load, crack initiation can be predicted as fatigue relaxation becomes fatigue intensification. In a preferred embodiment, the strain gauge is mounted beneath a patch excluding ambient atmosphere during monitoring of the structural members.

Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure ##STR1## is an effective hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and hydrogen carbon monoxide gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for both primary and internal olefins producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes through olefin isomerization. When the reactor gas is altered to essentially pure hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is air insensitive, stable, and highly recoverable by simple means. P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer with available pyridine linkages and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: Olefins are converted to aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst having the general formula ##STR1## wherein M is rhodium or iridium, P is a polyvinylpyridine/dimethylbenzene copolymer, and n is 1 to 3. Internal olefins are isomerized in appreciable extent to primary olefins, then hydroformylated to primary aldehydes.

Abstract: A catalyst of the general structure P --M Cl.sub.3 wherein M is rhodium or iridium and P is a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing polymer has been found to be an effective heterogeneous hydroformylation catalyst at temperatures of from about 60.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and H.sub.2 /CO gas pressures of from about 300 to about 3500 psig for most primary and internal olefins, producing an increased amount of linear normal aldehydes. When the reactor gas is altered to hydrogen, the catalyst further converts aldehydes formed by hydroformylation to alcohols under the same reaction conditions. The catalyst is oxygen stable, heterogeneous, and easily recovered.

Abstract: Alumina having a low loose bulk density is obtained by hydrolyzing aluminum alkoxides with water in the presence of lithium hydroxide or lithium salts yielding lithium ions. The amount of density reduction is proportional to the amount of lithium ion present.