Abstract: A process is described for preparing 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylethane by reacting phenol with a 1,2-dihaloethane in which the halogen is chlorine, bromine or iodine, in at least the stoichiometric proportions of 2:1 in contact with a catalyst comprising lanthanum oxide supported on an inorganic material such as silica at a temperature from about 125.degree. to about 225.degree. C. and in the presence of a hydrogen halide as a promoter.

Abstract: Described herein are fluid flow control valve trims suitable for use in a valve in which high fluid pressure drops are to be sustained without excessive noise generation or cavitation damage to valve members. The valve trim is constructed of two or more annular cages surrounding a central passageway, each outer cage circumferentially engaging the next inner cage. A valve stem carrying a valve plug member is axially movable within the central passageway, the plug member slidingly engaging the radially inward surface of the innermost annular cage. Communicating through the walls of each of the cages are flow-restricting orifices and fluid pressure recovery chambers defining two or more sequential orificial throttling stages. By the use of concentric annular cages a valve trim structure is achieved in which the flow-restricting orifices and pressure recovery chambers may readily be formed having reproducible, predetermined sizes and shapes by conventional machining operations.

Abstract: Microwaves are used to detect the level of a liquid in a vessel. An external chamber, constructed of a material essentially invisible to microwaves, is connected to the vessel and is open to the interior of the vessel above and below the level to be detected. Microwaves are directed through the external chamber and the unabsorbed energy of the microwaves passing through the external chamber is measured and converted to a signal representative of the liquid level in the vessel. Known electrical circuitry is used to generate the microwaves, to measure the unabsorbed microwave energy, and to convert the measured energy to a standard instrument signal representative of the liquid level in the vessel.

Abstract: A method is provided for the removal of contaminating alkanes from the vaporized carbonylation products of a process wherein carboxylic acids are produced by the reaction in the liquid phase of an alcohol or an ester, halide or ether derivative of said alcohol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing a rhodium or iridium component and an iodine or bromine component. The method involves distillation of the alkane-containing vaporized carbonylation products, phase separation of the overhead from said distillation, further distillation of a slipstream of the resulting heavy phase using carbon monoxide as stripping gas and removal of the alkanes as the bottoms stream from the latter distillation.

Abstract: Toluene and toluene derivatives are oxidatively dehydrocoupled to produce stilbene and stilbene derivatives by heating toluene or a toluene derivative in the vapor phase with a metal- and oxygen-containing composition which functions as an oxidant or oxygen carrier and has the empirical formulaSb.sub.a Pb.sub.b Bi.sub.c O.sub.dwherein a is 1, b is 0.2 - 10, c is 0 - 5 and d is a number taken to satisfy the average valences of the Sb, Pb and Bi in the oxidation states in which they exist in said composition. Alternatively, the same metal- and oxygen-containing composition can be employed as a catalyst for the dehydrocoupling reaction when oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is heated with the hydrocarbon reactant.

Abstract: Iodine is employed as a promoter for the reaction between phenol and a 1,2-dihaloethane wherein the halogen is chlorine, bromine or iodine using a zinc-containing catalyst to produce dihydroxydiphenylethanes, especially the 4,4'-isomer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve trim assembly wherein a valve cage member and a valve plug are provided which cannot be independently rotated. A valve stem is affixed to the plug and extends out of the cage. The cage and the stem are threaded for attachment to a valve bonnet and an actuator, respectively, and by rotation of the cage, the cage is attached to the bonnet and the stem is attached to the actuator simultaneously. The stem is prevented from unscrewing from the actuator while the valve is in use, by means of the anti-rotation feature. The trim assembly can thus be installed in, or removed from, a valve quickly and with a minimum number of tools.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are valve seals wherein an annular seal member is retained in an annular recess in a valve body wall, the seal member being axially flexible. A resilient annular garter spring is provided between the seal member and a converging surface on a wall of the valve body recess. When a valve employing this seal arrangement is closed, differential pressure urging the seal member in a downstream direction tends to deflect the seal member around the garter spring, while the garter spring tends to coact with the converging surface of the recess to provide a radially inwardly moving fulcrum for forcing the seal member into tighter engagement with a valve closure member.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is disclosed comprising valve body means with a fluid flow passage communicating an inlet and an outlet. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid flow passage is connected to a stem which extends outwardly from the valve body. Handle means externally secured to the stem include a cam operable against the valve body for actuating the valve away from a seat within the valve body. A shut-off spring functions to urge the valve toward its valve seat. Cooperating latching means are provided on the handle means and stem to lock the parts with less than 90.degree. rotation of the handle means. Release means cooperate with the latching means to free the handle means for rotation and permit the stem to move so that the main spring can close the valve. The handle, latching means, and stem are arranged to rotate so as to permit actuation of the handle in any position about 360.degree. of the axis of rotation of the stem.

Abstract: Described herein is a structure for attachment of two parts of a valve structure in a pressure-tight leakproof relationship, which employs a minimum number of parts and may be quickly disassembled, but which is nonetheless strong, rugged, and durable. This structure includes a first member having two pairs of spaced-apart lugs protruding in a direction generally parallel to the axis of an opening in the first member. A second member is provided which extends into the opening and includes two ears, each ear being adapted for placement between two lugs. The lugs are provided with matching transverse holes, whereby a bolt or pin may be placed through one lug of a pair, then over a portion of an ear, then into the second lug of the pair for securing the two members together in a predetermined relationship. Means are provided for detection of internal pressure in the valve to prevent disassembly thereof prior to removal of the pressure.

Abstract: A tight shutoff valve seal is disclosed, wherein an easily deformable annular valve seal member is retained within an annular groove in a valve element. Protecting this seal member from erosion or damage by a fluid flowing therepast is a slidable seal retaining member which additionally retains the seal member within the groove. The retaining member is resiliently urged to a seal-protecting position when a valve employing this seal is opened, and when the valve is closed the retaining member slides on a surface of the seal member and on a surface of the valve element to allow the seal member to abut and seal against a valve seating surface.

Abstract: Described herein are fluid flow control valves of the type wherein a perforated orifice member is interposed between the valve inlet and outlet, and a flexible membrane is provided which selectively covers and uncovers the perforations in the orifice member. A valve stem is provided which is attached to an edge of the membrane and by reciprocal movement of this valve stem the membrane may be peeled from a surface of the orifice member to expose perforations for fluid flow.