Abstract: The relative amount of 2,5-xylenol in a 2,4-/2,5-xylenol mixture is significantly increased by passage of the xylenol mixture together with a suitable tertiary-alkylating agent through a reactor packed with a polymer-bound sulfonic acid catalyst at temperatures of 65.degree.-95.degree. C. and, preferably, 80.degree.-90.degree. C. The product stream from such a reactor under these conditions based on a 50:50 mixture of the two isomers contains a much greater amount of 6-t-alkyl-2,4-xylenol (t-alkylated 2,4-xylenol) than 4-t-alkyl-2,5-xylenol (t-alkylated 2,5-xylenol); consequently the resulting unalkylated 2,4-/2,5-xylenol mixture is greatly enriched in 2,5-xylenol. Recovery of the unalkylated mixture by fractionation thus affords a crude 2,5-xylenol which can be further purified to give pure 2,5-xylenol.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on substantially vertical poles comprising two sections which cooperate in ascending and descending said vertical poles, comprising(a) an upper section comprising a seat member having a handle member attached thereto; a gripping means removably and adjustably secured to said seat member; a brace member supporting said seat member, attached at one end to the underside of the seat member and at the opposite end contacting said pole, whereby application of force to the seat member increases the contact of the support member with said pole; and(b) a lower section comprising a foot platform having handle members attached thereto; gripping means removably and adjustably secured to said foot platform; and a brace member attached at one end beneath said platform and at the opposite end in contact with the pole, whereby application of force to the foot platform increases the grip of the brace member on said pole; whereby the pole is ascended by drawing the lower section to a convenient

Abstract: Barium oxide 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 200.degree. to about 500.degree. F. 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 no catalytic effect.

Abstract: A submarine sand filter is employed to filter water for uses requiring lack of solid contaminants, such as oil reservoir injection. The filter is provided with backwash means and allows an efficient use of differential pressure heads.

Abstract: In the recovery of hydrocarbons from petroliferous formations wherein water is injected into the formation through a borehole, oxygen is scavenged from water employed in recovery applications requiring low oxygen levels by mixing with a source of sulfite ion, said mixture then being passed over a cation exchange resin on which a cobalt ion or other metallic catalyst is adsorbed. The catalyst increases the reaction rate of the sulfite ion and the oxygen to form sulfate ion, while the resin maintains the cobalt in place.

Abstract: Polymers can be made semi-conductors by incorporating ionic metallic salts into said polymers, such that conductance levels rise more rapidly than normal as electrical potential increases. These salts are useful at levels of at least 0.007% by weight based on the total compound weight, said salts imparting a geometrically increased level of conductance as the applied electrical potential proportionally increases.

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 short-stopper and retain effectiveness as a stabilizer in the finished polymer.

Abstract: A method is described for the selective dealkylation of 4-tertiary-alkyl-2,5-xylenol while it is admixed with 6-tertiary-alkyl-2,4-xylenol by contacting the mixture of alkylated xylenols with a polymer-bound sulfonic acid catalyst at temperatures of 60.degree. C. or less and pressures of from about 0.5 to 5 atmospheres. The method is useful in separating 2,4-/2,5-xylenol mixtures.

Abstract: Basic compounds of strontium catalyzed the ethoxylation of alcohols in the presence of phenol or alkylphenol co-catalyst. Strontium-produced ethoxylates have sharper ethylene oxide distributions, lower free alcohol, lower pour points, and better detergency than the ethoxylates obtained from alkali base catalysis.

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.