Abstract: Olefins such as propylene and isobutylene are converted to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, acrylonitrile, and methacrylonitrile, respectively, by reacting a mixture of the olefin, ammonia, and molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst containing the oxides of molybdenum, bismuth, iron, cobalt, nickel, and chromium, and either phosphorus or antimony or mixtures thereof, and an alkali metal or mixture thereof, and optionally one element selected from the group of an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, niobium, thallium, arsenic, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, vanadium, boron, calcium, tin, germanium, manganese, tungsten, tellurium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Palladium complexes having the general formula Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 X where R' is C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl and X is a chelating ligand of formula (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 where the R.sup.2 groups are independently selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or alkoxy substituted phenyl, and Y is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n=2 to 4 are provided. The complexes may be prepared by reacting the compounds Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 and (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 together in an aromatic solvent at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. in amounts such that the molar ratio of the two compounds is in the range 1.2:1 to 1:1.2.

Abstract: A process for depositing a ceramic coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament by passage of an electric current via at least two electrodes, and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing gases which on contact with the hot filament deposit the required coating; characterized in that after deposition of the coating, the coated filament passes through an electrode containing a liquid metal mixture which is a mercury/indium or mercury/cadmium amalgam or a gallium/indium mixture.

Abstract: A fire barrier material for use in building construction comprising a sandwich structure have a first and second outer layers comprising a high temperature resistant material having corrugations therein and an intermediate layer comprising a flame retardant fibrous material wherein the corrugation are positioned in the outer layers in a manner which enables the barrier material to be rolled into a bundle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugations.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises zinc, together with an effective amount of a platinum group metal on a support which is a material having the silicalite structure, the framework of said material consisting essentially of silicon and oxygen atoms or of silicon, zinc and oxygen atoms. 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 process comprises contacting the paraffin under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst according to the invention.

Abstract: Crystalline silicon carbide wherein at least 90 weight percent of the silicon carbide is formed from a plurality of hexagonal crystal lattices wherein at least 80 weight percent of the crystals formed from the lattices contain at least a portion of opposing parallel base faces separated by a distance of from 0.5 to 20 microns. The crystals may be in the form of separate particles, e.g. separate platelets, or may comprise an intergrown structure. The crystalline silicon carbide of the invention is produced by heating a porous alpha silicon carbide precursor composition comprising silicon and carbon in intimate contact to a temperature of from 2100.degree. C. to 2500.degree. C. in a non-reactive atmosphere. The materials are high performance materials finding use in reinforcing, high temperature thermal insulating, improvement of thermal shock resistance, and modification of electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for preparing silazane polymers is disclosed which comprises reacting under transamination conditions:(A) one or more silicon amides represented by the general formula:((R.sup.1).sub.2 N).sub.a -Si(R).sub.bwherein each R is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, a is an integer from two to four, b is an integer from zero to two and the sum of a and b equals four; with(B) one or more polymers.Also, disclosed are the silazane polymers produced by this method and silicon ceramics produced from these polysilazanes.

Abstract: A process for forming a transparent silicon carbide film on substrates by magnetron sputtering a silicon carbide target in a partial vacuum having a partial pressure of hydrogen and argon.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller disposed at the end of an elongate drive shaft. The drive shaft is disposed within an elongate, hollow post. The impeller and the end of the post are adapted to be immersed in molten metal. An inert gas is conveyed through the gap between the outer surface of the drive shaft and the inner surface of the post, which gas is discharged into the molten metal in the vicinity of the impeller. Because the drive shaft is insulated from the molten metal, it can be made of a durable material such as steel; because the post is stationary relative to the molten metal, the metal is stirred only by the impeller, and not by the drive shaft. The invention includes other features such as a quick disconnect capability and a radial adjustment capability.

Abstract: A method for determining the height and length of a fracture (3) in a borehole (1) involves generating pressure waves in the fluid in the wellbore using a valve (4) and measuring the response at the well-head by means of a transducer (5). A theoretical model of the wellbore-fracture system is generated and compared with the measured response to determine the height and length of the fracture.

Abstract: A process for depositing a ceramic coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament by passage of an electric current via at least two electrodes, and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing games which on contact with the hot filament deposit the required coating; characterized in that after deposition of the coating, the coated filament passes through an electrode containing a liquid metal mixture which is a mercury/indium or mercury/cadmium amalgam or a gallium/indium mixture.

Abstract: The flame luminosity of a methanol fuel is appreciably enhanced by the addition thereto of at least one azo dye flame luminosity enhancing agent.

Abstract: The efficiency of mixing vapor in a countercurrent column (1) is improved by use of one or more vapor risers (6) each incorporating a mixing device (7). The method is suitable for use in countercurrent columns operating at high pressures or under vacuum. For high pressure operation a single riser is preferred positioned in the center of the distributor tray (5).

Abstract: A technique for measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of calcined petroleum coke. This technique involves pressing a pellet of calcined coke to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion. It has the advantage of eliminating the graphitization and machining steps resulting in reduced manpower and turnaround time and requires less sample which allows CTE determination of laboratory scale cokers. Results show good correlation between this technique and traditional extrusion techniques.

Abstract: Metal particles are melted by mixing them with molten metal contained in a bath. A shaft-supported, rotatable impeller is immersed into the molten metal and rotated so as to establish a vortex-like flow of molten metal. Metal particles are deposited onto the surface of the molten metal in the vicinity of the rotating impeller. The particles are submerged substantially immediately after being deposited onto the surface of the molten metal. The impeller includes a thin rectangular prism having sharp-edged corners and vanes that extend upwardly from the prism. The impeller also can be used to disperse gas into the molten metal by pumping the gas through a bore extending the length of the shaft and out of the impeller along the lower surface of the impeller. The gas is sheared into finely divided bubbles as it rises along the sides of the impeller.

Abstract: A method for recovering the surfactant from a dispersion or emulsion of oil and water containing a temperature sensitive surfactant which method comprises the steps of heating the dispersion or emulsion to a temperature above the cloud point of the surfactant under conditions of temperature and aqueous phase salinity such that the dispersion or emulsion breaks and separates into an oil layer, an aqueous layer and a surfactant layer, and recovering the surfactant layer.The recovered surfactant may be recycled for use in preparing further quantities of dispersion or emulsion, thus rendering the operation more economic.

Abstract: A high temperature, preferably polycrystalline, ceramic fiber having a selectable diameter of between 1 and 200 microns. The fiber is stable in an inert atmosphere at a temperature above about 1700.degree. C. and is often stable even in air at a temperature above 1500.degree. C. The fiber comprises a sintered ceramic powder having a maximum particle size less than the diameter of the fiber and an average particle size less than 0.2 times the diameter of the fiber. The ceramic powder is also stable in an inert atmosphere at a temperature above about 1700.degree. C. At least 90% of the ceramic is selected from borides, nitrides, carbides, and silicides. The fiber is characterized by a smooth surface and is preferably out of round.The invention further comprises a textilable sinterable filament, comprising a flexible polymer matrix containing high temperature sinterable ceramic powder particles. The ceramic powder particles are selected from ceramic borides, nitrides, carbides, and silicides.

Abstract: A process for spectroscopically measuring the content of a component in a liquid mixture involves passing a single optical beam through the mixture without the use of a reference beam and measuring the intensities of transmitted light in two different wavelength bands by means of two adjacent detectors responsive to light in the two wavelength bands respectively. The component being measured absorbs light within one of the wavelength bands. The ratio of the detector outputs can then be related to the component concentration. The principal use of the invention is for in-situ measurement of methanol in gasoline for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons in an emulsion through dense phase processing. The process involves subjecting a feed of oil in an immiscible solvent emulsion to supercritical conditions to facilitate separation of the heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons with greater value and more uses.

Abstract: A drive system for impeller shafts includes a coupling that has a universal joint that is lubricated under all operating conditions. A housing is connected to the universal joint, which housing includes a hollow end portion adapted to receive the non-threaded end of an impeller shaft. A threaded stud projects from the end of the shaft and into the housing where the stud is secured by means of a nut. The nut is readily accessible to the user so that the axial position of the shaft can be adjusted without difficulty. The nut is releasably held within the housing so that the shaft and stud, with nut attached, can be quickly disconnected from the coupling. The invention also includes a modified "square drive" configuration for the ends of the shaft that is extremely strong and enables the shaft to be connected to the impeller and the coupling very easily.