Abstract: Strontium and barium-based catalyzed alkoxylation of alcohols of all classes is carried out more rapidly and produces a more peaked reaction product when carried out in the presence of co-catalysts such as calcium oxide, calcium carbide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium metal, magnesium hydroxides, zinc oxide, and aluminum metal.

Abstract: Initiation and propagation of cracks in materials is detected and monitored by (a) adhering an acoustical emitter to the area of the material to be monitored, and (b) monitoring for acoustical signals emitted by the adhered emitter, said signals produced by cracks in the material initiating in or propagating into the acoustical emitter. An acoustical emitter such as brittle plastic, glass rods or strips and metal such as tin or cadmium can be used.

Abstract: Alumina fibers are prepared by a method comprising(a) forming aluminum methoxide from aluminum alkoxides using methanol;(b) recovering aluminum methoxide as a solid precipitate phase, washing to remove higher alcohols and drying to recover a powder;(c) reacting the recovered powdered aluminum methoxide with dilute hydrochloric acid to form aluminum chlorohydrate; then(d) concentrating the aluminum chlorohydrate solution under vacuum to desired viscosity.

Abstract: A mixture of 2,4-/2,5-xylenol can be alkylated with a suitable alkylating agent over a strongly acidic divinylbenzene-styrene copolymer to afford a greater amount of 4-t-alkyl-2,5-xylenol than 6-t-alkyl-2,4-xylenol provided the alkylation is carried out at a suitably low temperature of 60.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: A method of producing ultra-high molecular weight polymers useful as drag reducing substances or antimist agents comprising;(1) polymerizing an alpha-olefin or olefins from 2 to 30 carbon atoms with a Ziegler catalyst in a light hydrocarbon solvent;(2) adding a heavy hydrocarbon diluent or a non-solvent suspending agent to the resulting polymer or copolymer mixture, and(3) removing substantially all of the light hydrocarbon component.

Abstract: Dioxane impurities in ether sulfates are removed by using a novel steam stripping technique in which water is neither added to nor removed from ether sulfate. This is possible because the chemical potential of water in the vapor phase is kept at the same value as that of water in the solution phase. In this way, thickening and foaming are avoided while dioxane levels can be reduced to below 10 parts per million by weight in a single pass.

Abstract: Butylation of a mixture of xylenols and trimethylphenols gives a product which is suitable for use as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride. The material can be added to the reactor during polymerization as a shortstopper and retain effectiveness as a stabilizer in the finished polymer.

Abstract: Phenol is methylated over an alumina catalyst using methanol, and the reaction product therefrom is combined with additional methanol over a promoted magnesium oxide catalyst. Major reaction products are ortho-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. The promoted magnesium oxide catalyst contains metal promoters selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, and uranium together with sulfate ions.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for measuring the diffusion of liquid into solids comprising(a) an upper portion having substantially sloped walls, the lower end of said sloped walls meeting to form an aperture,(b) solids retaining means positioned at said aperture, said means being permeable to a liquid whose absorption is being measured,(c) a lower portion substantially cylindrical in configuration, said lower portion connected with said upper portion wherein said aperture is common to both, and wherein(d) both upper and lower portions are operably connected to a gravimetric scale, such that the total weight of the upper and lower portions, solids retaining means, solid content, and liquid can be weighed.The apparatus and method taught provide an efficient easy way for measuring fusion of liquid in the solids.

Abstract: HCl gas is added to aluminum alkoxides containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms (0.5 mole HCl/mole Al) and the mixture is hydrolyzed in water. Alcohol is recovered by azeotropic distillation and the product, a solution of aluminum oxychloride, is concentrated.

Abstract: Amorphorus titanium, uranium, chromium ions and zirconium together with sulfate ions are effective promoters for magnesium oxide catalysts. These catalysts are active for the ortho methylation of phenols in the vapor phase to yield 2,6-xylenol.

Abstract: Aluminum chlorohydrate is prepared by a method comprising(a) forming aluminum methoxide from aluminum alkoxides using methanol;(b) recovering aluminum methoxide as a solid precipitate phase, washing to remove higher alcohols and drying to recover a powder;(c) reacting the recovered powdered aluminum methoxide with dilute hydrochloric acid to form aluminum chlorohydrate.

Abstract: 2,6-xylenol admixed with meta,para-cresol is reacted with methanol in a contact with a titanium/SO.sub.4 /magnesium oxide catalyst to yield a product stream which can be readily distilled to give 2,6-xylenol in high purity. The particular catalyst used allows low loss of 2,6-xylenol during the reactions and low amounts of side products obtained.

Abstract: Barium catalyst is removed from ethoxylated alcohols prepared using these catalysts by admixing the ethoxylated alcohols with water and mineral acid to precipitate the barium catalyst as a solid then centrifuging to remove the precipitate.

Abstract: Subterranean coal seams are treated with ammonia to enhance methane removal and improve the mineability of coal. Residual ammonia remaining from the coal treatment is removed by contacting the coal seam with nitrifying bacteria after ammonia treatment and before mining is carried out.

Abstract: A coalescer is provided which separates dispersed liquid hydrocarbon phases from continuous liquid aqueous phases by increasing the size of the dispersed phase droplets using a variety of coalescing media, preferably in granular form. The coalescer must contain at least three sides; however any number of sides up to a circle can be used, and a circular cross-section is preferred. Untreated aqueous phase is drawn through the coalescer media, where the dispersed droplets increase in size. The dispersed droplets are coalesced to a sufficiently large degree to rise to the top of the coalescer against the downward flow of the continuous phase, said continuous phase being withdrawn from the bottom portion of the coalescer and the separated, previously dispersed phase withdrawn from the top of the coalescer.

Abstract: Oil and water mixtures are separated in a gas flotation separator by passing the mixture downward in a vertically elongated portion, and then upward in a vertically elongated portion. A gas such as air is injected near the lower end of the upward flow leg of the separator. The gas is injected at a sufficient hydrostatic pressure to effect dissolving of a substantial portion of the gas in the liquid. The upflow leg has a chamber for oil flotation. Oil removal as well as water removal from respective layers is provided. The separation of oil and water is enhanced by both upwardly bubbling gas and exsolving gas.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for continuously purifying crude aluminum alkyls containing solid contaminants such as aluminum particles comprising passing crude aluminum alkyls into a first holding vessel, the contents of said vessel being continuously passed under pressure through a tubular filter having an upstream inner surface and a downstream outer surface, solids-containing aluminum alkyls passing through said tubular filter returning to the holding vessel, and purified aluminum alkyls passing through the filter wall exiting through the downstream outer surface, and recovered; monitoring the solids content of the holding vessel and ceasing crude aluminum alkyl flow into said holding vessel when solid contents reach undesirably high levels, thereafter passing said crude aluminum alkyls into an alternate holding vessel and filter, then further passing the contents of said first holding vessel through said tubular filter until substantially all remaining aluminum alkyls have passed through the filter to

Abstract: A mixture of 2,4-/2,5-xylenol can be alkylated with a suitable alkylating agent over a strongly acidic divinylbenzene-styrene copolymer to afford a greater amount of 4-t-alkyl-2,5-xylenol than 6-t-alkyl-2,4-xylenol provided the alkylation is carried out at a suitably low temperature of up to 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A friable composition single additive package for thermoplastic extrusions is provided in the instant invention. The friable composition can contain paraffin waxes, calcium stearate, various pigments, fillers, lubricants, and stabilizers.