Abstract: A method for the disposal of 2-chloroethanol by conversion to readily biodegradable ethylene glycol comprising;(1) extracting 2-chloroethanol into a neutral or acidic aqueous solution;(2) adjusting the pH of the solution to at least 10 and heating to a temperature of from about 25.degree. C to about 100.degree. C to form ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol,(3) stripping the basic solution of (2) to obtain a basic aqueous phase and a distillate, the basic aqueous phase being disposed, and(4) condensing and hydrolyzing the distillate and(5) stripping said hydrolysate, recovering the volatile organic portion, and(6) disposing of ethylene glycol in aqueous solution.

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.

Abstract: A method for improving the water-dispersibility of alpha alumina monohydrate containing up to about 86 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 wherein the method comprises mixing with the alpha alumina monohydrate from about 0.1 to about 50 weight percent based on the weight of the alumina of a salt compound selected from the group consisting of salts having the general formula MX wherein M is a polyvalent metal cation constituent for which the solubility product, K.sub.SP, of the corresponding metal hydroxide is less than 10.sup.-20, and X is an anion constituent derived from a monovalent acid having an ionization constant, K.sub.A, greater than 10.sup.+1 and phosphorus dichloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus tribromide, phosphorus pentabromide and antimony pentachloride.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for converting hydrocarbon oils to desirable components by contacting said oils in the presence of hydrogen under hydrocarbon conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a catalytic amount of a catalytic metal supported on gamma alumina.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process whereby recovery of copper from copper ores using leaching and solvent extraction 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 to yield a raffinate which still contains some copper values, and cycling part of the raffinate through a low pH extraction 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: An improved nonflammable coating composition containing vinyl chloride, dialkyl maleate, and bis (2-chloroethyl) vinyl phosphonate, the improvement comprising forming a tertelomer using a free radical initiator in the presence of xylene, wherein the alkyl constituent of the maleate contains from 3 to 15 carbon atoms and the alkyl constituent of the phosphonate contains from 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A low pressure, low temperature, hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of metal values from chalcopyrite and other metals and other metal sulfides. The process provides for all sulfur recovery as sulfuric acid and is nonpolluting, uses no neutralizing agents, and produces no waste products.

Abstract: A transducer positioner for testing conduits from the interior comprising a standard pulse-echo ultrasonic instrument converted to a detection package comprisingA. a head which positions at least two transducers simultaneouslyB. a connecting tube to provide a water column for coupling each transducer to the conduit to be testedC. connecting cables from each transducer to the ultrasonic source instrument, andD. a terminal box containing connectors and a calibration transducer.

Abstract: Alumina having a surface area from about 250 to about 500 m.sup.2 /g, a loose bulk density from about 10 to about 30 lbs/ft.sup.3, a pore volume (0-10,000 A) from about 0.6 to about 2.5 cc/g and a pore volume (0-1,000 A) of at least 0.6 cc/g wherein 70 to 95 percent of said pore volume (0-1,000 A) consists of pores having a diameter in the range of 35 to 80 A and a method for producing such alumina by the water hydrolysis of aluminum methoxide.

Abstract: In combination, a composite construction comprising a load-bearing substrate, an impermeable liner, and disposed therebetween a circulatory system defined by a network of cells having side walls which are generally in lateral orientation to the liner and the load-bearing substrate, at least some of said side walls having apertures therein whereby at least some adjacent cells are in communication with each other, and means for circulating a fluid through said circulatory system.