Abstract: In order to achieve airborne exploration for minerals in which both color and size information is obtained from fluorescing targets, a pulsed ultraviolet source is directed downwardly from the aircraft to a target area, and light from any responsively fluorescing discrete target is passed through receiving optics which includes a plurality of choppers of different fineness. A multiply-chopped signal is passed through a light pipe which includes filters to separate the signal into a plurality of electronic channels according to the respective color components. Signals are further processed by division into a plurality of parallel paths according to chopper frequency and applied to a series of integrators which are specially configured to remove noise from several sources to markedly improve the signal to noise ratio. The data thus obtained is stored, along with time and position information, onto conventional digital recording means for subsequent retrieval and analysis.

Abstract: Phenyltetralylbutane (PTB) is used to plasticize polyvinylchloride (PVC) resins. The PTB in one embodiment is prepared by refluxing tetralin an flowing condensed vapors of the tetralin over a bed of strongly acidic catalyst, which may for example be a synthetic acid "Y" type zeolite. In one embodiment, the PTB is used as a secondary plasticizer, with a primary plasticizer such as di(2-ethyl)hexyl phthalate.

Abstract: Phenol is oxidized to benzoquinone with a bivalent copper catalyst using a vicinal dialkoxy alkane or cycloalkane as promoter, whereby improved conversion and/or selectivity is obtained.

Abstract: A novel catalyst and the process of using it for hydroformylation where the catalyst is a complex of the formula Pt(Acetylacetonate).sub.2 /nMX.sub.2.nH.sub.2 O/xPR.sub.3 where M is a Group IVA metal, X is a halogem atom, n is an integer of from about 2 to about 10, x is an integer of from about 5 to about 20, n is 0 or 2, and PR.sub.3 is a phosphine where R is an alkyl or, aryl group.

Abstract: In an ice disaggregation system employing teeth affixed to a bracket which is spirally disposed around the outer periphery of a cylindrical rotating drum and held in spaced relationship therefrom, the cutting capacity is improved by tilting the plane of each tooth with respect to the drum's axis of rotation such that each incremental section of ice which a tooth engages is subjected to a bending force about a pivot near an area from which ice has been removed and is therefore relatively weak. As a result, the ice readily fractures in relatively large chunks.

Abstract: The pour point of shale oil is lowered by contacting with fresh oil shale. The temperature of contacting is preferably below 350.degree. F.

Abstract: A novel catalyst and the process of using it for hydroformylation where the catalyst is a complex of the formulaPt(Acetylacetonate).sub.2 /nMX.sub.2.nH.sub.2 O/xPR.sub.3where M is a Group IVA metal, X is a halogen atom, n is an integer of from about 2 to about 10, x is an integer of from about 5 to about 20, n is 0 or 2, and PR.sub.3 is a phosphine where R is an alkyl or, aryl group.

Abstract: Perfluoroadamantane and 1-hydropentadecafluoroadamantane are prepared by perfluorinating adamantane and/or bromoadamantane by contacting CoF.sub.3 at an elevated temperature. The fluoroadamantanes have utility as synthetic blood substitutes or perfusion media.

Abstract: An improvement in the treatment of sludge recovered from a pond containing tailings from a water extraction process of tar sands characterized in that the froth produced from a treatment of the sludge is diluted with water which is at an ambient temperature, and the diluted froth is agitated and aerated vigorously for a short time to obtain an upper froth layer which contains most of the bitumen and substantially reduced amounts of mineral and water. The upper froth layer is obtained by, e.g., skimming it from the froth produced by the agitation and aeration.

Abstract: A system for measuring loss of hydrocarbons to the atmosphere during delivery to a tank truck wherein the improvement involves using an integrated electronic system for collection of analytical data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the recovery of bitumen from a sludge. The sludge is diluted with water and subjected to high-shear agitation and aeration and the sludge settled to obtain an upper bitumen-containing froth layer and a lower sludge layer of reduced bitumen content. The recovery of bitumen is increased over that obtained with aeration and mixing with mild agitation or with aeration alone or with agitation alone.

Abstract: A clarified slurry oil coker feedstock is subjected to absorption chromatography and ultraviolet light adsorptivity and the results are correlated to determine the suitability of the feedstock for electrode grade coke.

Abstract: A continuous method for destroying polyhalogenated biphenyls by reacting a solution of the biphenyls in an inert liquid at a concentration of from about 1% to about 5% by weight with a dispersion of sodium in a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A field method for removing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and similar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from silicone based oils and hydrocarbon fluids such as transformer oils contaminated with them by contacting the contaminated oil with a hydrocarbon dispersion of sodium, reacting the mixture of oil and sodium dispersion at a temperature above about 75.degree. C., and passing the treated oil through a filter medium or other separating means to remove particulate and other contaminating material.

Abstract: A process for converting Udex raffinate to a high octane fuel component by mild, liquid phase oxidation to a product of moderate to low acidity, distilling off a neutral oxidate, esterifying the acidic residue to a neutral product and combining the neutral oxidate and the esterified portion.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is disclosed for supporting the cutting teeth on the periphery of a rotating cylindrical drum ice cutter affixed to a floating arctic structure. The cutting teeth are individually removably affixed to brackets which extend spirally (either continuously or in segments) around the drum periphery and are supported in spaced relationship radially outwardly therefrom by very sturdy struts. Several benefits are obtained with this configuration: (1) hydrodynamic drag is minimized; (2) the teeth-support structure can be made more rugged than individual ones for each tooth; (3) the teeth can be configured for a minimum of replaceable material at the cutting tips; (4) more free volume is available around the drum periphery for disposal flow of disaggregated material and (5) tooth spacing can be readily adjusted for optimum performance according to requirements.

Abstract: Victims suffering certain types of wounds are treated by contacting the wound with a substantially fluorinated carbon material or a mono- or di-brominated derivative thereof containing molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Removable bucket wheel teeth are provided with a rectangular-in-cross section shank portion and forwardly sloped shoulder areas for insertion into a complementarily-configured socket in a bucket lip. The resulting assembly is much more rigid and wears better than prior art tooth and lip configurations and tends to fracture preferentially when overstressed.

Abstract: A method for remote analysis of a mixture of materials where one of the components has thermal characteristics different from the other components. In a preferred embodiment, tar sands on a moving belt or dropping into a hopper are irradiated with infrared radiation and the radiant thermal flux of the heated tar sands is remotely detected and measured to determine bitumen content.

Abstract: Oxygen compounds are removed, e.g., by extraction, from a coal liquid prior to its hydrogenation. As a result, compared to hydrogenation of such a non-treated coal liquid, the rate of nitrogen removal is increased.