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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: An improved method for increasing alumina pore volumes said alumina being produced by the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides, the improvement comprising diluting the aluminum alkoxide, prior to entering the hydrolysis reactor, with an alkanol containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and injecting the dilute solution into the reactor at high velocities.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil-water separator comprising an inner spinning bowl having openings near the lower outer periphery for passage of water therefrom into an outer bowl which remains stationary. The oil-water mixture is passed to the upper center of the spinning bowl with separation of the oil and water therein, concentrating the oil near the top of the inner bowl and disposable water is removed from the outer bowl.

Abstract: Data useful for evaluating the effectiveness of or designing an enhanced recovery process said process involving mobilizing and moving hydrocarbons through a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation from an injection well to a production well by injecting a mobilizing fluid into the injection well, comprising(a) determining hydrocarbon saturation in a volume in the formation near a well bore penetrating formation,(b) injecting sufficient mobilizing fluid to mobilize and move hydrocarbons from a volume in the formation near the well bore, and(c) determining the hydrocarbon saturation in a volume including at least a part of the volume of (b) by an improved single well surfactant method comprising injecting 2 or more slugs of water containing the primary tracer separated by water slugs containing no primary tracer.

Abstract: In an enhanced recovery process involving flooding of subterranean formations with aqueous mixtures of biopolymers, filterability of the biopolymer is synergistically enhanced by treatment with ESPERASE.RTM. enzyme at a pH range of 12.5 to 13.0. The range is narrow and exclusive since pHs as high as 12.1 give poor results. The biopolymer can be any one containing debris which must be reduced by the enzyme.

Abstract: A means is provided for protecting off-shore platforms from damage to interior portions by inadvertantly dropped heavy objects such as drill collars. The invention comprises a crash barrier having a penetration resistant mat overlying a foamed thermoplastic or rubber shock absorbant. The invention has several advantages over previously used wooden boards such as reduced weight for equivalent protection. The foamed thermoplastic or rubber is provided with flame resistant materials such that combustion is not supported in the event of a fire.

Abstract: Trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ) which is discolored in organic solution because of air oxidation can be made nearly colorless by addition of small amounts of alkali metal borohydride to the discolored solution. Products remaining in the TMHQ solution after discoloration removal can be extracted by water wash. This technique represents a very simple and efficient method for removing discoloration which has proved troublesome in the prior art.

Abstract: Polymer buildup in polymerization reactions during vinyl chloride polymerizations is greatly reduced by applying a water dispersion of alumina and oxalyl bis(benzylidenehydrazide) (OABH) to the reactor surfaces exposed to the polymerization medium prior to carrying out the polymerization. Long term effects of the buildup preventor can be obtained by applying a caustic wash to the reactor walls, prior to applying the oxalyl bis(benzylidenehydrazide) and alumina dispersion. The effect of the OABH/alumina and caustic is synergistic since the preventative effect is greater than either material used alone.

Abstract: The integrity of corrosion prevention sheaths of corrosive-resistant metal employed to prevent member corrosion on off-shore platforms is monitored by incorporation of a pressure sensing line sealed into the zone between the sheath and the member. This apparatus allows monitoring members in the splash zone as well as stressed areas such as weld joints which are subject to corrosive environments.

Abstract: Shale oil is recovered from a horizontal oil shale deposit having an exposed vertical surface by:(a) tunneling a horizontal sloping tunnel under a portion of the deposit, optionally using material removed from the tunnel to form a service terrace,(b) shaping and lining the floor of the tunnel to form a covered sump sloping to the tunnel mouth,(c) explosively rubblizing the roof and walls of the tunnel, and(d) fireflooding the rubblized zone to retort the kerogen which produces shale oil at the tunnel face through the sump.The fireflood is preferably by wet combustion which can be either forward or reverse combustion. Oxygen containing gas can be injected through a vertical bore from the surface or from the tunnel face. In one embodiment, the fireflood is prevented from channeling across the top of the rubblized zone by leaving segments of the roof to project downward at intervals. The vertical surface of the deposit can be naturally exposed or exposed by a large diameter bore hole or a vertical mine shaft.

Abstract: A method is provided for the removal of 2-chloroethanol from 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) mixtures containing chloral comprising(1) placing the EDC/2-chloroethanol mixture at a pH of at least 10,(2) partially distilling said basic mixture to remove ethylene oxide from the resulting mixture of (1),(3) mixing the distillate with water in contact with a strong non-halogen acid catalyst to form an aqueous and organic phase, and(4) recovering the reaction product of (3) while separating and disposing the aqueous phase.