Abstract: MTBE, prepared by reacting MeOH with TBA to form a primary etherification reaction product, is distilled in a first distillation column to provide a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising methyl tertiary butyl ether, isobutylene, methanol, dimethyl ether, and the first lower boiling fraction is water washed to provide an overhead extract that is distilled in a second distillation column to provide a second lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, dimethyl ether and water, which is dewatered to provide a feed fraction comprising isobutylene and dimethyl ether that is reacted with less than an equivalent amount of MeOH to provide a secondary reaction product comprising MTBE, less than 0.5 wt. % of MeOH, isobutylene and contaminants including TBA and dimethyl ether, and the secondary reaction product is recycled to the second distillation column.

Abstract: The gas fraction of a multiphase fluid is determined using `on-line` statistical methods and then using that fraction to compute the correct water fraction. The gas fraction (Xg) is detected by using the standard deviation of the raw phase (Pstd), maximum phase in the sampling interval (Pmax), average phase (Pavg) or standard deviation of attenuation (Astd) data and maximum attenuation in the sampling interval (Amax), or average attenuation (Aavg) from streams flowing in the water fraction monitor sensor cell where the conditions are determined.

Abstract: An improved process for extracting hydrocarbons from a diatomite ore which comprises the combination of the steps of:a) Reducing the particle size of the ore to form a processed ore;b) Grinding the processed ore in an enclosed pin mixer to form pelletized ore;c) Feeding the pellets into each section of a ROTOCEL.RTM. extractor unit containing 5-8 sections or baskets to form columns of pelletized ore;d) Distributing a solvent from the top of each column of the ROTOCEL.RTM. extractor and allowing the solvent to permeate the pelletized ore column to form a hydrocarbon-rich solvent stream while leaving behind spent ore mixture;e) Separating extracting solvent from the hydrocarbon solvent stream to form a hydrocarbon product stream and an extracting solvent stream;f) Removing the spent ore mixture from the extracting zone;g) Recycling the extracting solvent; andh) Recovering the hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating porous media such as subsurface storage tanks or excavations therefore to form primary or secondary permeability barriers. A treatment fluid comprising a polymerizable monomer, a diluent therefor, and a strong acid catalyst mixed with steam is injected into a volume to be treated and contacted with the interior surface thereof. Contact is maintained for a duration sufficient to cause polymerization to occur forming an impermeable barrier in or on the interior surface of the treated volume.

Abstract: In the multistage distillation of a methyl tertiary butyl ether reaction product comprising methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol, methanol, isobutylene and water, the methyl tertiary butyl ether reaction product is separated in a primary methyl tertiary butyl ether distillation column into a lower boiling methyl tertiary butyl ether fraction and a higher boiling aqueous tertiary butyl alcohol fraction; the lower boiling aqueous tertiary butyl alcohol fraction is separated in a tertiary butyl alcohol distillation column into a vaporized overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction and a higher boiling water fraction; cooling water is charged to the reflux condenser for the tertiary butyl alcohol distillation column to liquify the vaporized, overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction and to convert the cooling water to wet steam, and the wet steam is independently charged to the reboiler for the primary methyl tertiary butyl ether distillation zone to supply the heat necessary for the distillation to b

Abstract: The gas fraction and the slip velocity are proportional to the difference in dielectric readings taken in a vertically upward flowing stream of oil/water/gas and in a vertically downwardly flowing stream of the same mixture. Actual water cuts are obtained by appropriately adjusting the dielectric water cut readings.

Abstract: A meso-scale profiling tool has separate upward and downward focused seismic sources, separate upward looking and downward looking directional receivers and a section of the tool containing the sources and receivers adapted to rotate with respect to the remainder of the tool so that the sources and receivers are always in a proper substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: Methyl tertiary butyl ether is sequentially prepared from tertiary butyl alcohol and methanol by:passing tertiary butyl alcohol and methanol through a primary reaction zone to form a primary etherification reaction product comprising unreacted methanol, unreacted tertiary butyl alcohol, water, dimethyl ether, isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether;separating the primary etherification reaction product into a methanol recycle fraction, a tertiary butyl alcohol recycle fraction, an isobutylene fraction and a methyl tertiary butyl ether product fraction;recycling the methanol recycle fraction and the tertiary butyl alcohol recycle fraction to the methyl tertiary butyl ether etherification reaction zone;passing at least a portion of said isobutylene fraction together with added methanol through a secondary reaction zone to form a secondary etherification reaction product comprising water, methanol, isobutylene, DME, methyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary butyl alcohol; andrecovering the methyl tertiary but

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilized fuel additive composition comprising a major portion of the reaction product of a 4-alkyl-2-morpholinone and an alkylphenoxypolyoxyalkylene amine and a minor portion of a stabilizing agent sufficient to prevent the formation of haze in the additive composition comprising a compound selected from polypropyleneoxide diamines of formula H.sub.2 N(CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.3 O).sub.n NH.sub.2 where n is a number between about 4 and about 25, and triethylene tetramine. A method of stabilizing a fuel additive composition is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a prepacked well screen assembly which includes coating the granular material in the filter medium with a resin system including an oligomer of furfuryl alcohol, a catalyst including an oil soluble, slightly water soluble organic acid, and an ester of a weak organic acid to consume water produced by the polymerization of the resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated process for the generation of a mixture of ethers, such as diisopropyl ether, methyl tertiary butyl ether, and/or isopropyl tertiary butyl ether, from a crude by-product acetone stream composed of acetone, tertiary butyl alcohol and methanol by passing such a stream, in the presence of hydrogen, over a catalyst system characterized by having both a hydrogenation activity gradient along the reactor in one direction and an etherification activity gradient in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention determines the presence of a pig in a pipeline and the condition of the pig, as regards to the material the pig may be pushing, by passive acoustic detectors which determine the acoustic characteristics for the pipe and the pig. From these a computer is used to determine from changes in these characteristics the nature of the materials picked up by the pig or the condition of the pig and the pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus which determines the water cut of a sample petroleum stream irradiates the sample stream at two different locations with microwave energy. The distance that the microwave energies pass through the sample stream are also different. A receiver receives the microwave energies and provides corresponding received signals. The water cut is determined in accordance with the received signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting seismic surveys from a single wellbore utilizing an array of seismic detectors and an seismic source suspended downhole from the detectors on a coiled tubing. Actuation of the airgun both generates a seismic signal penetrating the adjacent lateral geological formations and a plurality of air bubbles pass up the borehole to attenuate tube wave propagation in the borehole fluid.

Abstract: A method for retarding the effect of water coning during the production of oil from a subterranean formation is described. The retarding occurs by injecting into the subterranean formation, at or below the oil/water interface, a polymer solution having a viscosity at least twice that of the connate water to form a zone of high viscosity about the wellbore during the oil production.

Abstract: A process for simultaneous hydrodearomatization, hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation of a charge hydrocarbon oil containing undesired aromatic components, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, which comprises:maintaining a bed of a sulfided metal catalyst comprising one or more metals of non-noble Group VIII, at least one metal selected from tungsten and molybdenum on a novel "phosphorus treated carbon" support, the "phosphorus treated carbon" support being comprised of phosphorus bound to the carbon surface predominantly as polyphosphate species characterized by peaks between -5 and -30 ppm in the solid-state magic angle spinning .sup.31 p nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum;passing a charge hydrocarbon feed in the presence of hydrogen into contact with said catalyst at hydrotreating conditions, thereby effecting hydrodearomatization, and simultaneously effecting hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for preparing ethyl t-butyl ether in one-step which comprises reacting tertiary butanol and ethanol in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of a macroreticular acid resin or a pentasil zeolite at a temperature of about 40.degree.-140.degree. C. and atmospheric pressure to about 500 psig.

Abstract: An improved method for preventing iron precipitation from a spent oil well acidizing solution is disclosed. The acidizing solution is preceded into the tubular goods and formation by the injection of an iron sensitive, acid insensitive acidified surfactant solution.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for providing storage for hydrocarbons produced at an offshore production facility. A tank assembly having inner and outer tanks defining an annular chamber therebetween and the inner tank defining an inner chamber, has a piling projection extending from one end thereof. A first piping system is connected to the annular chamber and input piping system connected to the inner chamber and an output piping system connected to the inner chamber. The outer chamber is flooded to provide ballast for the system during and after placement of the piling into the soil beneath a platform.

Abstract: An improved burner for partial oxidation process gas generators is provided which has annular passages formed between coaxially aligned conduits extending from upstream sources to the downstream reaction zone. An outer coolant jacket, internally baffled from optimum coolant flow and sized for minimum downstream area surrounds a recessed and fuel/oxidizer delivery conduit ending in a nozzle. The central delivery conduit is not attached to the coolant jacket and the annular space between them is connected to a high pressure supply of relatively inert gas which can periodically be vented through the annular space to prevent slag build up on the nozzle or coolant jacket.