Abstract: A method for determining the distance from a given point in a coal seam to shale by sensing the thorium radiation from shale layers positioned about the coal seam. The invention is useful for maintaining a drill in a desired position in a coal seam and guiding the drill in response to the sensed radiation.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for the disproportionation of highly alkylated phenols with phenol using an improved magnesium oxide catalyst promoted with tungsten oxide, silica sol, and sodium silicate. The method provides a catalyst having a high reactivity, high surface area, and high crush strength compared to known magnesium oxide, tungsten oxide catalysts. The catalyst is useful in phenol methylation and disproportionation. The effect of silica sol and sodium silicate is synergistic since these materials alone will not catalyze these reactions. Surprisingly, the catalyst will not disproportionate olefins.

Abstract: A method for the production of n-alkylated cresylic acids such as n-hexyl resorcinol by direct alkylation of a cresylic acid such as resorcinol under liquid phase conditions.

Abstract: An anti-microbial composition consisting of ammoniated zinc compounds optionally formulated into surfactant formulations and toilet bars is presented.

Abstract: A sidestream of injection liquid taken downstream of a filter is passed through a monitoring filter of appropriate pore size. Pressure drop over the monitoring filter is determined and a regeneration cycle for the main filter is triggered in response to differential pressure (.DELTA.P) over a preset value, which corresponds to deterioration in filtrate quality.

Abstract: A method for preventing polymer buildup in the polymerization reactor during the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer to form polyvinyl chloride polymer and copolymers, the method comprising coating reactor surfaces in contact with the reaction medium with a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, dithiooxamide, and mixtures of these prior to carrying out this polymerization.

Abstract: A method for improving carbon bed loadings by diluting the vapor feed in order to produce optimum VCM concentrations for the adiabatic adsorption of VCM on dry activated carbon beds. The optimum concentrations are determined for each concentration and temperature of vapor gas.

Abstract: Flexible polyvinyl chloride insulation for wire is made conductive at elevated temperatures activating a sensing conductor and eliminating thermostatic controls. Conduction through the insulation is imparted by adding compounds such as nonylphenoxy (ethyleneoxy) ethanol, certain metallic salts of alcohol sulfates, mixed ortho, parasulfonamides, and liquid crystal compounds.

Abstract: A method for rotating hose movably supported by a plurality of carts in a mine, comprising attaching a means to the roof of the mine for lifting the hose, lifting the hose using reversible hoist means, the hose resting on a support means passing under said hose, said support means having incorporated therein means for rotating the hose before replacing on the cart.

Abstract: The impregnation of carbon with nitrite compounds drastically reduces the formation of acetylene and carbon dioxide in the adsorptive recovery of vinyl chloride monomer from air-contaminated streams containing such monomer.

Abstract: Reaction rate and olefin conversion in an organic peroxide initiated addition of water soluble bisulfite to olefins having 12 or more carbon atoms can be increased with the addition of a small amount of water soluble sulfite in combination with an organic solvent and agitation. The catalytic effect of the added sulfite in this reaction system unexpectedly increases as the olefin molecular weight increases, thus allowing convenient and economical sulfitation of mixtures in the C.sub.12 to C.sub.22 olefin range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process whereby recovery of copper from copper ores using leaching and ion exchange techniques can be increased. The process generally comprises leaching to obtain a pregnant leach liquor, washing ore residues with an extra quantity of water to obtain extra dissolved copper values, recovering said copper values, combining the extra wash water with the pregnant leach liquor, extracting copper values from the total leach liquor by ion exchange techniques to yield a raffinate which still contains some copper values, and cycling part of the raffinate through a low pH ion exchange circuit to lower the copper values remaining in the raffinate to about 0.01 to 0.02 grams per liter or less before disposal.

Abstract: A method for preventing polymer buildup in the polymerization reactor during the suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer to form polyvinyl chloride polymer and copolymers, the method comprising coating reactor surfaces in contact with the reaction medium with a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, dithiooxamide, and mixtures of these prior to carrying out this polymerization.

Abstract: An improved method for the transesterification of secondary alcohol borate esters with methanol, the improvement comprising separating a portion of the extractive distillation column overhead as a reflux stream and returning said reflux stream to the extractive distillation column between points located at or below the point at which the borate ester feed is introduced to the column and at or above the point at which methanol is introduced to the column, thus reducing the amount of boron-containing compounds in the crude secondary alcohol product stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the water permeability of a porous subterranean formation by injecting a dispersion of polyamide and a water soluble polymer through a well bore into the formation. Preferred materials are polyamides and poly-acrylamides.

Abstract: Molten elemental sulfur is used as an insulating packer fluid in injection wells for steam drive secondary recovery of petroleum from petroliferous formations.

Abstract: Trimethylhydroquinone is prepared by reacting 4-methoxyphenol with methanol over MgO or MgO promoted with oxides of aluminum, uranium, titanium, cerium, manganese, zinc, and iron at temperatures of from about 350.degree. C to about 550.degree. C and pressures up to about 1,000 pounds per square inch gauge.

Abstract: Xylenols are disproportionated with phenol over catalysts such as tungsten oxide promoted magnesium oxide, preferably in the presence of water. The reaction selectively removes methyl groups ortho to the hydroxyl group. Catalysts which can be used are magnesium oxide promoted with zinc oxide, tungsten oxide, and uranium oxide.

Abstract: Pressure sensors or pressure gauges are protected from water and other foreign materials by a pressure sensitive contamination trap comprising a sealed vessel containing a first fluid, said vessel having an intake conduit to the vessel interior above the level of the first fluid and buffer tube filled with a second fluid, said buffer tube projecting below the level of the first fluid, said second fluid being in contact with said first fluid at one end of the buffer tube and with a pressure sensor at the other end of the buffer tube. The second fluid is of a lower specific gravity and immiscible with the first fluid. The two fluids are preferably chemically inert with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for determining the flow characteristics of subterranean petroliferous formations by injecting a tracer and a polysaccharide polymer having glucose moieties into said formation, recovering said tracer and polysaccharide from production well effluent at timed intervals and determining flow characteristics by the rate differential observed of the concentration of each in the effluent. Accurate determination of polysaccharide polymer is obtained by hydrolyzing the polymer to release glucose, reacting the glucose with orthotoluidine and determining the polymer concentration using colorimetric techniques.