Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers which comprises reacting t-butanol with an alkanol in the presence of a catalyst which exhibits extended life comprising .beta.-zeolite modified with one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Group IA and Group IIIB of the Periodic Table and continuously contacting said alkanol and t-butanol in a molar amount from about 10:1 to 1:10 over said zeolite catalyst at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of about atmospheric to about 1000 psig.

Abstract: Steam quality at both outlets of an impact T-Junction is equalized by a static mixer having corrugated lamella plates immediately adjacent the inlet leg to the junction causing substantial homogenization of the liquid and vapor phases of wet steam entering the junction so that the steam exiting both outlet legs of the junction will have substantially the same quality as the steam entering the junction.

Abstract: A tertiary butyl hydroperoxide reaction product is distilled to provide a tertiary butyl alcohol distillation fraction containing tertiary butyl alcohol and a heavier fraction containing unreacted tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, and reaction by-products boiling below tertiary butyl alcohol, the tertiary butyl alcohol fraction is charged to a vacuum distillation column for separation into a vaporized overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction that is cooled to obtain a liquefaction product containing a minor amount of vaporized tertiary butyl alcohol and a major amount of a liquified tertiary butyl alcohol, andthe tertiary butyl alcohol vapors are dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution of tertiary butyl alcohol from which the tertiary butyl alcohol is recovered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one-step method for synthesis of methyl tertiary butyl ether, diisopropyl ether and isopropyl ether from crude streams containing acetone, methanol and t-butyl alcohol which comprises reacting an acetone-rich feed over a bifunctional catalyst comprising 5-45% by weight of a catalyst consisting essentially of a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the group consisting of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of IB, VIB or VIII of the Periodic Table and a heteropoly acid on a 55%-95% of the total weight of the catalyst of a support comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:a. a metal phosphate;b. 5 to 95% by weight metal phosphate supported on 95 to 5 wt % Group III or IV oxide; andc. a large pore silicoaluminophosphate.

Abstract: A process of synthesizing synthetic manganese oxide hydrates having various structures including hollandite and todorokite structure by hydrothermal synthesis. The products have a high degree of crystallinity, and thermal stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the rate of injection of flooding fluids into injection wells. A slug of polar solvent or a mixture of polar solvent and non-aqueous flooding fluid is injected into the injection well to displace aqueous and hydrocarbon liquids in the rock surrounding the injection well. Thereafter, the solvent is removed from the vicinity of the injection well by flooding fluid. The process may be repeated following each time water is injected into the injection well.

Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Abstract: A straight run naphtha is fractionated to yield on intermediate naphtha and the heaviest 10-25 vol % as heavy naphtha. The heavy naphtha is subjected to hydrocracking to yield liquid fuel and lighter, including C.sub.4 isoparaffins and a cracked naphtha having a 90 vol % temperature (T90) of 310.degree. F. (155.degree. C.).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for pretreatment of hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur and nitrogen compounds and aromatics prior to hydrocracking or fluid catalytic cracking which comprises:contacting said feedstock with a sulfided catalyst comprising a metal of non-noble Group VIII and Group VIB, and, optionally one or more elements selected from Group IIIA and Group VA of the Periodic Table on a carbon support consisting essentially of activated carbon, optionally on a carbon support treated with phosphorus, having a B.E.T. (Braunauer-Emmett Teller) surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2 /g and an average Pore Diameter greater than 12.ANG. and a Total Pore Volume greater than 0.3 cc/g.

Abstract: Hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils using solid heterogeneous catalyst and small amounts of oil-miscible compound, like molybdenum naphthenate, improves total pore volume properties of the catalyst.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent of 1-propanol is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water, acetone and methanol to obtain an overhead distillate fraction of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide contaminated with reduced quantities of acetone and methanol, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the 1-propanol, water and acetone, some of the methanol and heavier by-products of propylene oxide formed in the distillation column.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering methyl tertiary butyl ether from an etherification reaction product containing acidic by-products wherein the reaction product is charged to an MTBE distillation zone and fractionated therein to provide a lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol and acidic by-products, wherein the lower boiling distillation fraction is counter-currently washed with alkaline water in a methanol extraction tower, and wherein an aqueous solution of an alkali is injected into the tower below the charge point for the wash water to substantially completely neutralize the acidic by-products and to provide an overhead extract substantially free from acidic by-products comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water, and a bottoms raffinate comprising methanol, water, alkaline by-products and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst comprising a porous alumina support bearing 2.5-6 wt % of a non-cobalt Group VIII metal oxide, 14.5-25 wt % of a Group VI-B metal oxide, and 0-4 wt % of a phosphorus oxide, said catalyst having a Total Surface Area of 240-320 M.sup.2 /g, Pore Volume of 0.65-0.90 cc/g, and a Pore Diameter Distribution whereby 50-62.8% of the Total Pore Volume is present as micropores of diameter 55-115 .ANG., 27.5-37% of the Total Pore Volume is present in large pores of a diameter greater than 160 .ANG. and 20-30.5% of the Total Pore Volume is present as macropores of diameter greater than 250 .ANG..

Abstract: In the manufacture of MTBE from TBA and methanol, acidic by-products formed during the etherification reaction are removed by fractionating the etherification reaction product in a first MTBE distillation column to provide a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, MTBE, methanol and acidic by-products and a first higher boiling distillation fraction comprising methanol, TBA and water, fractionating the first higher boiling distillation fraction in a recycle distillation column to provide a lower boiling TBA recycle fraction and a higher boiling water fraction, recycling the higher boiling water fraction to the MTBE distillation column at a charge point above the charge point for the etherification reaction product, and adding aqueous sodium hydroxide to the recycled higher boiling water fraction in an amount sufficient to neutralize the acidic by-products charged to the MTBE distillation column.

Abstract: A surfactant-fertilizer compound for enhancing the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil or water comprising the reaction product of guanidine and at least one carboxylic acid is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a method for propping a fracture adjacent a wellbore formed by injecting in said fracture a carrier fluid containing proppant coated with a curable resin which improvement comprises:a) using proppant coated with a resin fluid containing a polymerizable oligomer of furfuryl alcohol resin, a catalyst comprising an oil soluble, slightly water soluble organic acid and an ester of a weak organic acid to consume water produced by the polymerization of resin;b) using as a carrier an aqueous saline fluid comprising water which is 70% to 100% saturated with sodium chloride,c) suspending said resin-coated proppant in the carrier fluid, forming a fluid mixture of resin-coated proppant and carrier fluid; and injecting said mixture into said fracture, wherein the timing of the addition of the catalyst can be varied.

Abstract: A three phase meter to measure the oil/water/gas fractions of a multi-phase fluid flow uses a fraction meter and a flow meter to calibrate flow with the fraction meter sending mixture density information to the flow meter to make the calculation.

Abstract: A two-step integrated process for the generation of diisopropyl ether from a crude by-product acetone stream which comprises:a) Hydrogenating said crude acetone over a supported, hydrogenation catalyst to give an isopropanol-rich effluent;b) passing said isopropanol-rich intermediate directly to a second reactor, andc) subject said IPA to dehydration conditions in the presence of hydrogen and a strong acid zeolite catalyst from the group consisting of .beta.-zeolite, optionally modified with one or more metals from Groups IB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table, and a dealuminized Y-zeolite.

Abstract: An oil recovery skimmer assembly, mountable on any suitable barge like structure, has means for placing booms so as to direct water to at least one scoop assembly where surface water and oil is skimmed off and pumped to a separator tank where substantially all the oil is separated from the water and the water returned to within the boom area, thereby assuring retreatment of the water and non-return of oil to the environment.

Abstract: A pressure balanced cable junction or termination box is provided for subsea use. A fluid tight hollow body member is filled with insulating fluid. A-cable to be terminated enters one side of the cable termination device and is coupled to the box. A compressible fluid reservoir in contact with the external water pressure on one side transmits the pressure to the filling insulating fluid on the other side to provide pressure balancing.