Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismic geophysical exploration is disclosed wherein the seismic exploration system includes a seismic energy source, a central recording and control station, a plurality of geophones, and a plurality of remote geophone monitoring means. The central control and recording station is coupled to the plurality of geophone monitoring means by a two-way radio frequency (RF) link. The central recording and control station interrogates the plurality of geophone monitoring means by means of the two-way RF line to thereby determine the operating status of the plurality of geophone monitoring means. The operational status of the plurality of geophone monitoring means is transmitted from each of the plurality of geophone monitoring means via the two-way RF link to the central recording and control station in response to a specific address for each of the plurality of remote geophone monitoring means.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from a subsurface tar sand bed wherein a shell of frozen earth is formed around the periphery of at least a portion of the tar sand bed, followed by recovering bitumen from such portion of the tar sand bed within the shell of frozen earth by suitable means such as, for example, solvent extraction. Also disclosed is apparatus for freezing the earth surrounding one of a plurality of boreholes drilled in the earth within earth freezing distance of each other around the periphery of such portion of the tar sand bed.

Abstract: Particulate materials are blended in a vessel provided with a plurality of vertically extending conduits therein. The vessel comprises a downwardly converging frustoconically shaped bottom wall which defines the lower region of the vessel. The lower ends of the conduits extend through corresponding openings in the bottom wall and are connected by suitable conduit means with a solids outlet at the open bottom of the bottom wall, an outlet conduit extending downwardly therefrom with a solids flow control valve interposed therein. A recycle conduit extends from the interior of the outlet conduit at a position above the solids flow control valve therein upwardly to a solids hopper positioned above the vessel. A blower is connected to the upper portion of the vessel and applies vacuum thereto and to the recycle conduit for withdrawing particulate materials or solids through the recycle conduit into the hopper.

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process in which first (light key) and second (heavy key) components contained in a feed stream are separated with the major portion of the light key component being removed in an overhead product stream and the major portion of the heavy key component being removed in a bottoms product stream, a signal which is responsive to the concentration of the light key component in the bottoms product stream is summed with a signal which is responsive to the concentration of the heavy key component in the overhead product stream to derive a signal which is utilized to manipulate the flow rate of the external reflux (sigma control). Also, the difference between a signal which is responsive to the concentration of the light key component in the bottoms product stream and a signal which is responsive to the concentration of the heavy key component in the overhead product stream is utilized to control the flow rate of the bottoms product stream (delta control).

Abstract: In a batch process in which reaction effluent is dumped from the reactor to a flash tank through a dump line which contains both a dump valve and a control valve, the control valve is manipulated in response to a signal which opens the control valve at a desired rate as a function of time or in response to a signal which is representative of the maximum opening of the control valve which can be maintained without exceeding a pressure limit in the flash tank whichever signal is representative of the lower opening of the control valve. In this manner, reaction effluent is withdrawn from the reactor at a substantially maximum rate without causing flashing across the dump valve and without exceeding a pressure limitation for the flash tank.

Abstract: A carboxylate component is introduced into an alkali metal initiated polymer by means of a sequence in which an epoxy compound is reacted with the polymer followed directly by contact with a cyclic acid anhydride to produce a polymer composition having a carboxylate salt group. The resulting composition can then be hydrolyzed to produce carboxy-containing polymer which is useful in applications such as sheet molding compounds.

Abstract: Metals, nitrogen and/or sulfur, particularly vanadium, nickel and nitrogen, are removed from organic compositions, particularly heavy hydrocarbon oils, by contacting the organic compositions with a halogenating agent, preferably phosphorus oxychloride, under conditions sufficient to form a distinct phase including the contaminants, which is separable from the organic composition and separating the distinct phase from the organic composition as by filtration, decantation, and the like. In another embodiment of the present invention, the treatment with the halogenating agent is carried out in conjunction with treatment with an acid gas and water, as a combination of carbon dioxide and water, or a solvent.

Abstract: 1. Normally solid polypropylene, consisting essentially of recurring propylene units, having a substantial crystalline polypropylene content.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reforming process is controlled by manipulating the addition of halogen to the reforming catalyst responsive to an isopentane signal representative of the isopentane content in the reformate.

Abstract: In a process in which a feedstock is provided through a desalting unit prior to introduction into a fractional distillation column, the feed stream flowing to the desalting unit is split and passed through multiple heat exchangers. Method and apparatus is provided for maintaining a desired effluent flow rate out of the desalting unit and for maintaining the temperatures of the split feed streams substantially equal. After passing through the desalting unit the feed stream may again be split and passed through multiple heat exchangers prior to introduction of the feed stream into the fractional distillation column. Method and apparatus is also provided for maintaining the temperature of the split feed streams provided from the desalting unit substantially equal.

Abstract: A low viscosity slurry is prepared by first making a powder such that the shape of the particles of the powder is granular and then mixing the powder and a suitable dispersant.

Abstract: A low viscosity slurry of aggregates of crystals in a dispersant is prepared by first making aggregates of crystals by the method of direct precipitation, the shape of the aggregates being granular, and then mixing the aggregates and the dispersant.

Abstract: An egg supporting tray is provided which has a plurality of egg pockets. Each egg pocket is formed by four posts which are interconnected by ribs. Each surface of the four posts, which forms a part of an egg pocket, has a concave surface on the upper portion thereof and a ridge on the lower portion thereof. The ridge provides substantially four point contact for a small egg which improves washing and drying and reduces water spotting. The concave surface enables the egg supporting tray to accommodate large eggs.

Abstract: A carbon black process control is described wherein in the preferred embodiment responsive to a determination of the humidity or water content in the free oxygen-containing gas flowing into the carbon black reactor two separate modes of control are calculated and a selection between the modes is made depending upon the influence each of the modes has on further properties of the overall operation. For example, the iodine number of the carbon black is controlled by either manipulating the air flow or the oil flow into the carbon black reactor to maintain the iodine number constant despite changes in the humidity and the selection between the two control modes (air flow control or oil flow control) is made in accordance with a determination of the respective conversion achieved.

Abstract: A regenerator control system is disclosed which is particularly useful in connection with combustion promoted cracking catalysts. The air flow is controlled responsive to the temperature in the dilute phase, first in a direct mode when the amount of combustibles on the catalyst is at or above a set point and second in accordance with a reverse mode when the amount of combustibles is below such a set point. This versatile control system allows the safe operation of a regenerator under a variety of conditions.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide) coating compositions are described comprising a poly(arylene sulfide) and a polyolefin in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method for reducing the electrostatic charge build-up in a glass-filled polyarylene sulfide composition by adding either octadecyltriethyoxysilane or octyltrichlorosilane.