Abstract: A method for inhibiting or retarding gas hydrate formation comprises adding a solution of a compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein R=OH, OCH.sub.3, OC.sub.2 H.sub.5, NHNH.sub.2 or HR'=NH.sub.2 or NH.sub.3.sup.+X,Y,Z=H or OH, andn=a number in the range 0 to 6,or a polymer thereof when R'=NH.sub.2, the compound or polymer thereof being added in an amount effective to inhibit or retard hydrate formation, to a medium susceptible to gas hydrate formation, e.g. fluids produced from an oil well, particularly an offshore oil well.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from a liquid comprises a casing and a tubular filter dividing the casing into two compartments. The tubular filter is formed of fibers attached at each end to end supports which are movable axially relative to one another and rotable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the filter. A helical spring is disposed within the tubular filter and is so dimensioned that it does not close when the end supports are in their closest operational position. The spring resists inward movement of the fibers when the end supports are moved axially towards each other and rotated to twist the fiber, thereby preventing the compartment defined by the interior of the tubular filter from tending to close.

Abstract: A method of producing stabilized crude acetonitrile (i.e. acetonitrile which has been treated to substantially eliminate polymerization of the acetonitrile upon vaporization) which comprises mixing crude acetonitrile, a strong base and aldehyde together, heating to the reflux temperature of the mixture to stabilize the crude acetonitrile and recovering the stabilize acetonitrile. This stabilized acetonitrile is utilized to manufacture hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: A process for the production of olefins which comprises passing an oxygenate-containing feedstock over a zeo type catalyst at a temperature greater than 200.degree. C. characterized in that the oxygenate-containing feedstock comprises C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 olefins and as oxygenate methanol formaldehyde and/or dimethylether, the molar ratio of olefin to oxygenate being greater than 1:20 and the zeo type catalyst being of TON-type structure.

Abstract: Paving composition comprising a blend of specified bitumen and high vinyl butadiene, substantially free of added sulphur or peroxide, with elastic recovery greater than 50%.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring bending of structures comprises a bending bar which may be attached to the structure so that it bends in response to bending of the structure and having means for measuring bending of the bar whereby measurement of bending of the bar enables bending of the structure to be determined. Preferably, the bar is hollow with strain gauges on its inner surface and is attached so that at least part of it may move longitudinally along its axis with respect to the structure.

Abstract: A fail safe annulus valve for fluids has a valve area across the annulus with inlet and exit ports and a slide valve in the area capable of sliding to open or close the ports. The slide valve is biased to its fail safe position by a spring, is susceptible to being opened by independent pressure apparatus, and is also susceptible to movement by differential annulus fluid pressure across the valve. Thus while it fails safe, it can always be moved by differential annulus pressure. The valve may be used for the annuli of oil or gas wells (e.g. annuli used for artificial lift) and may be mounted on a packer of the annulus. It may also be used for closing other types of annuli.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method which comprises introducing into a reaction zone a feed which comprises a hydroxyl compound reactant, R"OH, at least one amide reactant selected from R-CONH.sub.2 and R-CONHR', and an inorganic catalyst, thereby reacting R"OH with said amide reactant to produce a rection mixture containing at least one disubstituted amide selected from R-CONHR".sub.2 and R-CONHR'R", whereineach of R, R' and R" contains no acetylenic unsaturation and 1 to 30 carbon atoms,each of R, R' and R" is selected from a hydrocarbyl group and a hydrocarbyl group that is substituted with a group selected from carbamoyl, hydrocarbylcarbamoyl, dihydrocarbylcarbamoyl, and hydroxyl,wherein said inorganic catalyst is selected from phosphates and sulfates of a Group 13 element and of a Group 2 metal having an atomic weight less than 145, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making ethylamines by the hydrogenation in a reaction zone of acetonitrile contained in a basic aqueous solution which also contains HCN, which comprises continuously passing hydrogen gas in contact with a flowing stream containing acetonitrile, water and HCN, which stream is in contact with a solid hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogen contact time is in the range from 0.5 seconds to 20 minutes and the molar ratio of H.sub.2 to acetonitrile charged to said reaction zone is in the range 2-200:1.

Abstract: Disclosed is the ammoxidation of methyl substituted pyridines to make cyanopyridines using a complex metal oxide catalyst containing P, V and Mo.

Abstract: A terpolymer mixture having emulsifying and emulsion stabilizing properties comprising a mixture of (1) a water soluble vinyl monomer, (2) a water insoluble vinyl monomer having 12 to 30 carbon atoms and (3) a polymerizable vinyl monomer containing acid groups. The terpolymer may be used in combination with oil and water to form stable oil-in-water emulsions or in enhanced oil recovery procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile, acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia and optionally a gaseous diluent, by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed to said reaction zone containing a mole ratio of said paraffin to NH.sub.3 in the rnage from 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin to O.sub.2 in the range from 1 to 10, said catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr, GaD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Mn andm is 0.8-4a is 0.01-2d is 0-2x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,which catalyst has been heated at a calcination temperature of at least 780.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of emulsions of oil in water comprises:(a) an oil feed line,(b) a source of concentrated surfactant solution,(c) a source of water,(d) a first low shear mixer for mixing concentrated surfactant and water to form a dilute surfactant solution,(e) means for uniting the flows of dilute surfactant solution and oil in a controlled manner,(f) a second low shear mixer for mixing the united flow streams of oil and dilute surfactant solution to form an emulsion of oil in water,(g) a third low shear mixer for mixing the emulsion of oil in water to form a dilute emulsion, and,(h) an arrangement of water feed lines and control valves such that, firstly, water can be supplied either to the first low shear mixer only or, secondly, to both first and third low shear mixers.The apparatus is particularly suitable for the preparation of emulsions of fuel oil in water from oils within a wide range of viscosities which burn with low emissions of NO.sub.x and particulates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a tri- or tetrahydrocarbylammonium hexahydroxyantimonate,[R.sub.3 R'N]Sb(OH).sub.6 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O (1)containing 3 to 30 C atoms, which process comprises the steps of (1) contacting a compound selected fromR.sub.3 N and R.sub.4 NOHwith the H.sup.+ form of a solid cation exchange resin, and allowing the amine or the tetrahydrocarbylammonium hydroxide to react with the cation exchange resin, and thereafter (2) contacting the reacted resin with an aqueous solution of KSb(OH).sub.6,wherein each R contains 1-10 C atoms and is independently selected from alkyl, aralkyl and alkylaralkyl, R' is H or H, and wherein x is an indeterminate number of moles of H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A catalyst which is substantially free of alkali and alkaline earth metals and comprises an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a silicalite support; characterized in that the catalyst also comprises tin. There is also provided a process for the dehydrogenation of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 paraffin to yield an alkene product, which comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process f9or making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile by the catalytic reaction of a paraffin containing 3-5 carbon atoms with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a metal oxide catalyst composition that has 10-90 weight percent of a diluent/support and 90-10 weight percent of a catalyst containing the elements indicated by the empirical formula,A.sub.a D.sub.d Bi.sub.c Fe.sub.f Mo.sub.12 O.sub.xin the proportions indicated by the said formula, said diluent/support containing 10 to 100 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and zero to 90 weight percent SiO.sub.2 whereinA is one or more of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl B, W, Sn and La;D is one or more of Cr, Sb, Pb, P, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn and Mg;a is zero to 10;c is 0.1 to 10;d is zero to 10; andf is 0.2 to 10; andwherein the reactants fed to the reaction zone contain a mole ratio of said paraffin:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin to O.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to new compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 has zero to 10 C atoms, and no acetylenic unsaturation; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl; with the proviso that R.sup.6 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl; each of R.sup.5 and R.sup.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran and optionally gamma-butyrolactone are prepared from at least one of maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride by catalytically hydrogenating vaporous maleic anhydride or vaporous succinic anhydride in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum.

Abstract: Certain novel multiply promoted Mn-Sb oxides are superior catalysts for the ammoxidation of olefins to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, the selective oxidation of olefins to unsaturated aldehydes and acids, and the oxydehydrogenation of olefins to diolefins.

Abstract: 1,3-butadienes are catalytically hydrocarbamylated to make 3-pentenamides.