Abstract: The invention describes a method for decreasing the viscosity of crude oils and residuum utilizing a combination of thermal and acidic treatment. Further, the invention describes a method for making a water-in-oil emulsion, or a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion with a reduced viscosity. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.

Abstract: A gas conveying system capable of conveying a solids material without pushing or compressing the solids material. The system comprising: at least one conduit assembly comprising a conduit, a lance assembly disposed about a first end of the conduit which is capable of removing the solids material from a holding device, and a first eductor which is capable of entraining the solids material in a gas stream and moving the solids material through the conduit; a cyclone disposed about a second end of the conduit, the cyclone being capable of separating the solids material from the gas stream; and a second eductor disposed to receive the solids material from the cyclone, the second eductor being capable of entraining the solids material in a second gas stream which has a solid-material-to-gas mass ratio which is greater than that of the first eductor. The second stage eductor transports the particles further downstream for storage, additional transport or for further treatment, such as burning in an incinerator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of an ester, including reacting an alcohol with a carbonyl-like compound in the presence of a first esterification catalyst; and adding a second esterification catalyst to the reaction mixture at some time after initiation of the esterification reaction. The staged addition of the esterification catalyst according to the present invention provides a reduced reaction time to achieve a targeted conversion to esters.

Abstract: The invention provides for a purified glycidyl ester product prepared from neo acids wherein said ester product is recovered as a light fraction from a glycidyl ester reaction product composition that has been subjected to conditions of temperature and vacuum in a thin film, short pass distillation evaporator, said purified glycidyl ester product further characterized that its polymerizable reaction product with methacrylic acid has a higher effective glass transition temperature as compared with the polymerizable reaction product with methacrylic acid of said glycidyl ester reaction product composition prior to purification.

Abstract: Esters of branched C9 alcohols suitable as plasticizers are formed by esterification of a C9 alcohol produced by the aldol condensation from propanal and a C6 aldehyde and hydrogenation, the propanal optionally having been made from natural gas streams.

Abstract: Alcohols suitable for plasticizer ester manufacture and acids are made by cofeeding olefins to oxonation, aldolizing the resulting aldehyde and hydrogenating the resulting unsaturated aldehydes, optionally dehydrating a part of the alcohol thereby made and returning the resulting olefin to oxonation, or oxidizing the aldehydes.

Abstract: &agr;-Hydroxycarbonyl compounds are obtained from aldehydes or ketones by forming an acetal or ketal which is decomposed to a vinyl ether. The ether is selectively oxidized under conditions yielding an &agr;-hydroxy-aldehyde or &agr;-hydroxy-ketone with the carbonyl group protected. The last-mentioned compounds are valuable sources for other functional organic molecules, for example lactic acid.

Abstract: Oligomerization degree of olefins may be controlled by employing mixed molecular sieve catalysts. Propene may be trimerized to nonene using ZSM-5 and ZSM-22, especially in an extrudate admixture.

Abstract: Esters of branched C.sub.9 alcohols suitable as plasticizers are formed by esterification of a C.sub.9 alcohol produced by the aldol condensation from propanal and a C.sub.6 aldehyde and hydrogenation, the propanal optionally having been made from natural gas streams.

Abstract: A process plant for the manufacture of halobutyl rubber is provided with online monitoring and control of the process parameters to control the properties of the product. It incorporates an in-situ measurement system that does not require the removal of any sample material from the process. It uses a Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FTNIR) spectrometer, fiber-optic cables, a viscometer for measuring solution viscosity and a Resistance Temperature Device (RTD) for temperature measurement. An online real-time analyzer system using a Constrained Principal Spectral Analysis program predicts the property of the polymer product and provides the process control system with analysis of the data using derived relationships between the physical properties of the polymer and these spectral measurements and the measured values of fluid viscosity and temperature. Differences between the predicted and desired property of the product are used to control process parameters.

Abstract: A crosslinking composition including, (a) a major amount of a high molecular weight linear oligomer with at least one functional group and a number average molecular weight per functional group of at least about 1000; (b) a crosslinking agent reactive with the functional groups of the high molecular weight linear oligomer; and (c) a low molecular weight di-(poly)-functional compound having a number average molecular weight per functional group of less than about 400, the functional groups of the low molecular weight di-(poly)-functional compound also being reactive with the cross-linking agent. Crosslinking of the high molecular weight oligomer in the presence of a small amount of the low molecular weight di-(poly)-functional compound provides a crosslinked composition displaying an improved balance of hardness and flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methanol reforming catalyst having the following general formula on a dry basis:X.sub.a Y.sub.b Z.sub.c O.sub.d, whereinX is a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, mercury, rubidium, cesium, silver, and combinations thereof, Y is a metal selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and combinations thereof, Z is a material selected from the group consisting of boron, silicon, aluminum, silicoaluminate, zirconium, titanium, hafnium, gallium, lanthanum, scandium, and yttrium, and combinations thereof, and O is the element of oxygen. The claimed methanol reforming catalyst contains neither copper oxide nor chromium oxide.

Abstract: A dilute ethylene stream, e.g., one produced by steam cracking, is oxonated to yield propanal, without the need to separate other lower hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A molecular sieve comprising a core having deposited thereon a surface layer, wherein the surface layer has a higher Si:Al ratio than that of the core, provides for lower branching in olefin oligomerization products.

Abstract: A thermosetting plastic foam solid formed from the reaction product of: (a) either polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam; (b) a polyol-based foam; (c) a catalyst which is capable of promoting the thermosetting reaction between the polyisocyanate or isocyanate-based foam and the polyol-based foam; and (d) a blowing agent which comprises a high purity cyclopentane product, wherein the high purity cyclopentane product is about 95% or greater pure cyclopentane, and, optionally, (e) water and/or (f) liquid flame retardant.

Abstract: A method for producing a cyclopentane product which comprises the following steps: (a) cracking dicyclopentadiene to form a cyclopentadiene-rich stream and a higher boiling liquids stream; (b) separating the cyclopentadiene-rich stream from the higher boiling liquids stream; (c) diluting the cyclopentadiene-rich stream with recycled saturates such that the cyclopentadiene content is limited to between about 5-50%; (d) conducting a first hydrogenation of the cyclopentadiene-rich stream in the presence of hydrogen and a first catalyst, and at a temperature (i.e., preferably between about 26 to 94.degree. C., more preferably in the range between about 37 to 66.degree. C.

Abstract: Polyesterdiols having low viscosities of less than 3500 cps, high content of non-volatile matter in excess of 96 wt %, and narrow molecular weight distribution of less than about 1.4 are prepared by esterification of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or ester derivatives thereof using at least a 1.5 molar excess of one or more aliphatic diols until an acid number of less than 20 is achieved, and stripping excess diol from the polyesterdiol reaction product. Where esterification catalyst is used, catalyst is substantially removed prior to stripping excess unreacted diol from polyesterdiol reaction product. The polyesterdiols so produced are useful as (i) curable components in thermosettable resin compositions, particularly compositions essentially free of volatile organic solvent and also containing a crosslinking agent and a reactive hardening agent: and/or (ii) useful as coatings, paints and adhesives, providing coatings with very low content of volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step method for catalytically reforming methanol with water to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide using catalysts which do not contain copper oxide and/or chromium oxide, which produce only negligible amounts of carbon monoxide, and which are not rapidly deactivated.