Abstract: The present invention provides a central computer site on a computer network for detecting authorized or unauthorized duplication of software on computers connected to such a network. The computers on the network may be continually connected, like computers on a Local Area Network, or intermittently connected, like computers on the Internet. Every time a user of the distributed software attempts to execute that software, a connection to the central computer site on the network is made, and a previously-created information token is presented by the user's software to the central site. The central site evaluates that token, and possibly issues a new token to be kept by the user for the next transaction. These transactions need no human intervention, and may take place without the software user's knowledge. At the same time, the central site may provide or withhold permission for the user to execute the distributed software.

Abstract: Dewaxing a waxy feedstock is achieved by dispersing dewaxing catalyst particles within the liquid waxy feedstock and removing gaseous products out of contact with the catalyst by purging a gas stream through the liquid feedstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining fluid flow between a fixed subsea wellhead riser conduit and a weathervaning floating production, storage and off-loading (FPSO) vessel without swivel or sliding seals. The fixed riser conduit is divided into two flowpaths which terminate in connectors. First and second drums, coaxially mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, have connectors which are connectable with the flowpath connectors. The drum connectors are connected to one end of flexible pipes, at least partially wound around a respective drum, with the other end tensioned and connected fixably to the FPSO vessel. Enough flexible pipe is on each drum to permit the drum to rotate about a connection arc of greater than 180.degree. when its respective connector connects one flowpath with the FPSO vessel. The connectors and drums are disposed such that each connection arc overlaps the other arc at both ends of each arc.

Abstract: Residual oils containing metals and sulfur are demetallized and desulfurized by adding to the oil an aromatic solvent and contacting the mixtures in the presence of hydrogen with an alumina having an average pore size greater than about 220 Angstroms.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for methanol conversion having enhanced stability is obtained by extruding a zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 12 and a Constraint Index within the approximate range of 1 to 12 with a silica matrix and thereafter subjecting the extrudate to both steaming and acid-extraction in order to enhance the stability thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a process in which phenol is reacted with hydrogen peroxide to form hydroquinone in the presence of a shape-selective zeolite catalyst such as HZSM-5. Essentially no catechol byproduct is produced.

Abstract: A process of preparing a highly dispersed (colloidal or submicron size) heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrothermal conversion of heavy oils and residua is described. The process comprises preparing a reverse micellar dispersion by mixing water, an organic solvent, and an ionic or neutral surfactant to which is added an aqueous solution of a metal salt. The metal salt is reduced to a colloidal dispersion of the catalyst in a mixed water-organic liquid phase. The colloidal catalyst is then blended into resid or heavy oil fractions, and the blend is treated under hydrothermal conditions.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytically dewaxing a waxy distillate consisting of a lubricating oil or liquid petroleum feedstocks utilizing a shape-selective crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst in order to obtain a lubricating oil having a low pour point and a high viscosity index, and particularly, a hydroprocessing trickle reactor construction for catalytically dewaxing liquid petroleum feedstocks. The reactor is essentially constituted of a trickle bed reactor of the vertical tower type wherein an annular bed of catalyst material, such as the crystalline zeolite, substantially fills the space of the reactor, and through which the liquid petroleum feedstock trickles downwardly from the upper end of the reactor, while hydrogen is concurrently injected into a central hollow tube of a perforate material extending vertically through the reactor within the annular catalyst bed.

Abstract: Partial desulfurization in the range of about 30-90% during hydrotreating of a dewaxed lube oil basestock provides an increase in viscosity index of up to five numbers with less than about 5 wt. % yield loss, a consequence of the desulfurized compounds staying in the lube boiling range.

Abstract: Residual oils containing metals and sulfur are demetalized and desulfurized by adding to the oil an aromatic solvent and contacting the mixture in the presence of hydrogen with an alumina having dual pore size distribution in ranges of 90-200 Angstrom units and 1000-5000 Angstrom units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an alumina composition having two concentrations pore sizes, one in the 90-200 Angstrom range and the other in the 1000 to 5000 Angstrom range. Method is based on heating one type of alumina to 1400.degree. F., mixing it with unheated alumina and reheating to the 1400.degree. F. temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalytic process for converting to BTX a C.sub.9 + monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feed having a prescribed content of alkyl groups with more than one carbon atom. It further provides a process wherein said conversion is coupled with a catalytic xylene isomerization unit. The catalyst used in the process is a steamed composite comprising platinum and a crystalline zeolite such as ZSM-5.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a foamed polymeric sheet having comparatively high density skin layers. Molten polymer containing a foaming agent is extruded from a die into a post-extrusion region defined by the die and a spaced pair of rotating chill rolls which are spaced from the die. The post-extrusion region is maintained at a pressure sufficient to at least inhibit expansion of the foamable molten polymer through the use of cooled sealing elements which occupy a substantial portion of the space between the die and the chill rolls, and are spaced from the chill rolls. The rolls and the sealing elements are cooled so that foamable molten polymer in the space between the sealing elements and the rolls becomes solidified, completing the seal. The chill rolls are maintained at a temperature below the temperature of the molten polymer to aid the skin formation on the surfaces of the polymer. If desired, the polymer can pass directly from the chill rolls into a water bath.

Abstract: A process for multi-solvent extraction is provided wherein polarity gradients induced by distillation are utilized for the extraction of petroleum residua and other heavy oils whereby a high quality maltenic fraction and a lower quality asphaltenic fraction are obtained.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the activity of high silica zeolite, i.e. a zeolite having a silica-to-alumina ratio greater than 100, is disclosed which involves calcining the zeolite, treating same with aluminum fluoride, followed by treating the zeolite with an ammonium salt solution and then calcining the final product in order to obtain a zeolite having enhanced activity.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the activity of a synthetic crystalline zeolite, including a zeolite having a silica-to-alumina mole ratio greater than 100, which has been synthesized from a reaction mixture containing a diamine as a cation source, is disclosed which involves reacting the zeolite with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride, contacting the hydrogen fluoride reacted zeolite with aluminum chloride, treating the aluminum chloride contacted zeolite by contact with an ammonium salt solution or ammonolysis and calcining the final product.

Abstract: A subsurface formation is logged to provide a record of the natural gamma radiation of the thorium, uranium, and potassium trace elements in the formation. Both the clay and mica contents of an interval of interest are determined from the natural gamma-ray activities in such interval of interest, in a clean sandstone interval and in a mica-free shale interval.

Abstract: A system for producing a biaxially oriented polymer film of predetermined gauge profile. Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a continuous film of the polymer having substantially uniform gauge by controlling the character of the film in its aquagel form prior to transverse stretching.

Abstract: The vertical conformance of a steam drive process is improved by conducting the steam flood process in two stages. In the first stage, steam is injected into the lower portion of the formation via an injection well and oil is recovered from the upper portion of the formation via a spaced apart production well. Once there is a breakthrough of steam at the production well, injection of steam and production are terminated. In the second stage, the roles of the injection well and production well are reversed. A thermal recovery fluid comprising steam or hot water is injected into the lower portion of the formation via the production well and oil is recovered from the lower portion of the formation via the injection well until the oil recovered contains an unfavorable amount of steam or water.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from an oil-bearing reservoir in a process employing an in-situ combustion process utilizing a combustion-supporting gas containing at least 75% by volume pure oxygen, and preferably substantially pure oxygen, and a sequence in which the production well or wells are cyclically throttled. In place of using an in-situ combustion process, mixtures of steam and carbon dioxide or mixtures of steam and low molecular weight C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 hydrocarbons are injected into the reservoir and the production well is cyclically throttled. The production well flow rate is restricted until the bottom-hole pressure of the well has increased to an amount of about 30% to about 90% of the fluid injection pressure at the injection well. Thereafter, the production well is opened and oil is recovered therefrom as the bottom-hole pressure declines. The throttled production cycle may be repeated at appropriate intervals during the process.